https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:20:33 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/614/the-new-mole https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/614
Don Aldo Stern, senior Magistrate for the Island of Rocca Sorrentina in the Sorrento district of the Kingdom of Napoli stood at the end of the new structure.  Oddly enough, after just a few months of weathering during the construction, it had already acquired an apparent patina of age.  But then of course, it was built mostly with salvaged materials scrounged from the far side of the island, and other old stone, iron banding and bollards brought down by His Majesty's engineers from the royal yards at Castellammare.  That was the main reason it went up so quickly: the stone was already cut and dressed, and there was the remains of the foundation of the mole that had been built by the Elswitts when they held title to the island.  Once the support and interest of King Ferdinando was squarely behind the project, the actual construction was relatively straightforward.  "Everything in life should be so simple," thought the magistrate.
That original mole had been demolished not long before Don Aldo had come to the island, some six years ago.  Il Principe had devised a plan to expand the size of the harbor, which had been carried out in his absence, while he went on that fateful trip to the new World.  Boulders had been placed to create a breakwater, the harbor had been dredged, a fine stone dock added right by the grand arch, and the old mole was level to permit larger ships into the older part of the labor by the roman steps.  
The only problem was larger ships hadn't used that space as intended.  Instead, the biggest ships anchored out in the new harbor, sheltered from the winds by the little island with the former harbormaster's house where Donna Sere now resided, and under the protection of the heavy guns of the "nuova fortezza."  They also had more room to maneuver out there: the old inner harbor was  fairly confined.  Smaller ships did alright, but as the economy of the island kept improving and more vessels stopped to exchange cargoes and discharge or take on passengers, more dock space was needed.  So the council of magistrates of Rocca Sorentina had devised the plan to rebuild the old mole...now the "new mole"...or was it perhaps best called the "new old mole?"
Well, either way, it hopefully would serve trade well, and it certainly looked fine...it was not the biggest such structure, even among the smaller coastal communities around the bay, and certainly looked tiny when compared to the great mole in Napoli, but it had been finished off nicely and seemed like it would serve its purpose well.  
And standing out at its end and looking back to the island, it certainly provided an excellent and appealing new view of the village...
Don Aldo looked up at the ancient campanile of the church, and the charming, asymmetrical jumble of houses, including his own odd little villa with the off-centered porch, grape vines, and arbor made from salvaged ship's timbers.  The west side of the village looked as if some irresponsible giant child had casually dumped toy houses and blocks at random on a sand pile at the beach, and then wandered off, leaving the mess to eventually be collected by some long-suffering but infinitely patient giant governess or nanny.
As the setting sun made the little houses and ancient stones glow with warmth, the magistrate was once again struck that it was perhaps one of the most beautiful locales he had seen during the course of his travels, and certainly stood out as his own personal favorite place on the planet.

]]> Sun, 09 Oct 2016 08:44:57 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/585/meanwhile-on-sorrentina-aldo-and-filippe-go-fishing https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/585 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:47:45 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/584/meanwhile-on-sorrentina-aldo-and-filippe-go-fishing https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/584 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:47:45 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/571/observations-on-the-end-of-the-quarantine https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/571 ~*~ Dottore Greymoon's temporary clinic has been dismantled, and I face the minor task of reassembling the accademia lecture hall. The quarantine is over. We held a public meeting today which was attended by myself, Dottore Greymoon and Dottore Panacek, the Conte Foscari and a number of concerned citizens and visitors to the island, all of whom had the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns. We had been given persuasion by His Excellency the Governor of the Sorrento District, and following our review of the facts -- that there have been no further serious cases reported in five or six days; that there have been relatively few deaths, such as the two sailors aboard the Genoese merchantman La Sirena ; that most of the others who had the disease, such as two other sailors and the young woman Devi, are now recovering; and that it appears the worst cases were contracted elsewhere before the people came to la Rocca -- the doctors and I voted to end the restrictions. Even Signorina Antonacci, the young woman who had one of the worst cases of the fever, was showing signs of recovering in recent days. But then the poor girl went into labor and weakened by the fever, died after the child was born. Arguably, however, her death was not from the fever, it was from the stress of the childbirth. So.even as a debate is carried out as to how the child shall be looked after (provided that Conte Foscari's inquiries in Roma indicate that the Antonacci family does not wish to take responsibility), we have begun getting things back to what passes for normal on this odd little island. Signs are being taken down, ships are coming and going -- La Sirena has already buried her dead and left for Genoa -- and tomorrow the public spaces and shops shall re-open. I understand there is interest in people meeting at Signora Macbain's coffee house to hold an impromptu celebration at about 11 AM tomorrow. I regret I shall probably not be there as I must leave on His Majesty's revenue cutter Iphigenia and goto the mainland, so I can make a full reportto the Governor. I have already seen to certain measures that the doctors recommended: we will have more bonfires to purify the air, everything and every place is being washed with vinegar; and the Guardia are looking for pools of stagnant water and any swampy areas that must be drained so the fetid water does not create the miasmatic vapors that probably cause the disease. The Governor will be interested in hearing a report on all these measures, and I must leave with the morning tide. But before I do that, I shall address one more task. I must see to making arrangements for returning Signora Macbain's confiscated property to her. ]]> Sat, 09 Aug 2014 01:19:26 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/570/observations-on-the-end-of-the-quarantine https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/570 ~*~ Dottore Greymoon's temporary clinic has been dismantled, and I face the minor task of reassembling the accademia lecture hall. The quarantine is over. We held a public meeting today which was attended by myself, Dottore Greymoon and Dottore Panacek, the Conte Foscari and a number of concerned citizens and visitors to the island, all of whom had the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns. We had been given persuasion by His Excellency the Governor of the Sorrento District, and following our review of the facts -- that there have been no further serious cases reported in five or six days; that there have been relatively few deaths, such as the two sailors aboard the Genoese merchantman La Sirena ; that most of the others who had the disease, such as two other sailors and the young woman Devi, are now recovering; and that it appears the worst cases were contracted elsewhere before the people came to la Rocca -- the doctors and I voted to end the restrictions. Even Signorina Antonacci, the young woman who had one of the worst cases of the fever, was showing signs of recovering in recent days. But then the poor girl went into labor and weakened by the fever, died after the child was born. Arguably, however, her death was not from the fever, it was from the stress of the childbirth. So.even as a debate is carried out as to how the child shall be looked after (provided that Conte Foscari's inquiries in Roma indicate that the Antonacci family does not wish to take responsibility), we have begun getting things back to what passes for normal on this odd little island. Signs are being taken down, ships are coming and going -- La Sirena has already buried her dead and left for Genoa -- and tomorrow the public spaces and shops shall re-open. I understand there is interest in people meeting at Signora Macbain's coffee house to hold an impromptu celebration at about 11 AM tomorrow. I regret I shall probably not be there as I must leave on His Majesty's revenue cutter Iphigenia and goto the mainland, so I can make a full reportto the Governor. I have already seen to certain measures that the doctors recommended: we will have more bonfires to purify the air, everything and every place is being washed with vinegar; and the Guardia are looking for pools of stagnant water and any swampy areas that must be drained so the fetid water does not create the miasmatic vapors that probably cause the disease. The Governor will be interested in hearing a report on all these measures, and I must leave with the morning tide. But before I do that, I shall address one more task. I must see to making arrangements for returning Signora Macbain's confiscated property to her. ]]> Sat, 09 Aug 2014 01:19:26 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/553/observations-upon-the-second-day-of-yellow-fever https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/553 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 21:17:16 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/552/observations-upon-the-second-day-of-yellow-fever https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/552 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 21:17:16 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/551/observations-regarding-the-days-events-on-the-island-of-rocca-sorrentina https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/551 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 21:44:00 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/550/observations-regarding-the-days-events-on-the-island-of-rocca-sorrentina https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/550 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 21:44:00 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/527/return-to-sorrentina-part-8-a-chat-with-the-ottoman-envoy https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/527 Sat, 31 May 2014 16:52:16 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/526/return-to-sorrentina-part-8-a-chat-with-the-ottoman-envoy https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/526 Sat, 31 May 2014 16:52:16 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/523/return-to-sorrentina-part-7-coffee-and-newspapers https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/523 Tue, 20 May 2014 02:02:33 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/522/return-to-sorrentina-part-7-coffee-and-newspapers https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/522 Tue, 20 May 2014 02:02:33 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/519/return-to-sorrentina-part-6-in-the-printing-house https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/519 Mon, 05 May 2014 23:15:36 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/518/return-to-sorrentina-part-6-in-the-printing-house https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/518 Mon, 05 May 2014 23:15:36 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/482/return-to-sorrentina-part-4-a-matter-of-trust https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/482 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:29:46 -0800 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/479/return-to-sorrentina-part-3-somewhere-between-ravenna-and-the-bay-of-naples https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/479
Devi looked at him, not entirely sure if he was serious. He shrugged and added, "at least in my humble opinion...but then I grew up thereand have lived most of life on or near the island...soI am not objective about it." "It is beautiful there?" she asked. "I think so...it is almost always pleasantly warm...I have never known it to snow there. The waters and sky are a brilliant blue...the island a small multicolored jewel in the Bay of Naples...the green orchards and vineyards, flowers of all sorts of hues, the red tile roofs and yellow and pink stucco of houses and white marble of old buildings...very old. "You do make it sound like paradise. I hated the mountains when it snowed. Everything...white and grey...and cold. Living in a caravan is nice enough in the summer, but in winter..and much of spring and autumn as well, it comes through every crack in the boards and eats into your bones. What is it like to live there?" "Pleasant is an inadequate word for it. Coffee in the coffee house, with friendly people and good conversation. Local wine and honey and fruits...fish from the sea, fresh each day...and the grandest sunsets you will see anywhere can be viewed from the table just outside my tavern by the docks. Go out on a boat and look back at the island and you see little houses that are comfortable, but not ostentatious, piled up like a child's building blocks on the hillside...even the great villa is not a massive sprawling palace,but like something that grew from the earth and the rocks...like nature..balanced and perfect in its imperfections..." "So it's not like Venezia?" "Oh no, nothing like Venezia...it smells like sea breezes, clean salt and flowers...not fetid water, stale piss and dead fish."

Devi looked at Achille and laughed. "Not all of Venezia smells like that!" "The parts I was in did." Devi decided to not argue the point. It did all sound lovely. "How long until we get there?I long to see it." Achille was beginning to tune the guitar again. "A couple days," he answered. "We have to tack up the coast past the straits and then catch the westerly breeze." He paused a moment and than asked, "do you think you will be able to stay a while on la Rocca?" Devi frowned. "I guessthat will depend on the Conteand whatever message he has from my father." She appeared to be lost in thought. "You know, I have never been on a ship for so long before...this is a new experience for me. I have only really been to vist two other places besides the mountains." Achille looked surprised. "I would think with you heritage of the Sinti, you would be very well travelled."

"No," she answered. "You see,the Conte helped my people to come out of the Austrian lands, but I was born after their travel...since they settled in their mountain camp they never went anywhere. The menfolk go down to the valley to trade,but the women don't go with them. Since the persecutions that were suffered, they try not to draw attention to themselves...I only got to travel a bit because of the Conte and Elena. Most of the work I have performed on behalf of the Conte has been in and around Venezia." "Well," replied Achille in an almost somber tone,"although I would understand how under such circumstances, you might be having a desire to travel widely and see more of the world...if I may say so...after we get to Rocca Sorrentina...it is my hope you will not have to leave again too soon." She did not reply, a he started playing the guitar again. "Do you know this one?" he asked. "I just learned it recently." And he began to sing. "Caro mio ben,
credimi almen,
senza di te languisce il cor,
caro mio ben,
senza di te languisce il cor
Il tuo fedel
sospira ognor Cessa, crudel,
tanto rigor!
Cessa, crudel, tanto rigor,
tanto rigor!
Caro mio ben, credimi almen,
senza di te
languisce il cor, caro mio ben,
credimi almen,
senza di te languisce il cor" Devi found herself blushing. "You sing it beautifully...it is the song of someone asking that his heart not be broken by the one he loves." Achille stopped playing when he finished the song andgently leaned the guitar against the small cannon next to them "As I said...I hope you do not have to leave the island too soon...you know...we have spent much time together...but it has always been about the job...what we do for...for others." "I do hope I can stay some time also," she answered, not daring to look at Achille. "Yes we each have our orders...our purpose. I and my people owe the Conte a lot...and he is good to us..." Achille gazed out over the dark waves. "You talk of orders...but I do not follow orders...I do what I do for the Padrone out of duty and my respect and affection for him." Devi nodded. "Yes, I understand, it is the same for me. The Conte has been like a second father to me. And as you have seen, old Sior Foscari sees me as an extra grandaughter...so maybe they will let me stay."

Achille moved a little closer to Devi. "So...you know...if I ask the Professore...and you ask the Conte...they maybe will not send us away on our separate paths for other missions...perhaps not right away..." Devi looked at Achille with hope in her eyes. "Yes I will ask him...and if he says no, then I shall ask his father to badger him into saying yes..." Achille laughed. "Devi...I have never known anyone like you before..." ]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:13:53 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/478/we-do-what-we-must https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/478
Gentlemen,

As the longest-serving Magistrate (and therefore, by default, the senior) who is present upon the island of Rocca Sorrentina (the Baronessa von Khr being absent), I find myself in the position of having to oversee the proper execution of this affair of honor that you seem determined to proceed with.

I trust that in accordance with established traditions your seconds have communicated in an effort to find an alternative. If it seems that there is none to be had, then we must take the next step and settle upon a time and date. I would suggest to you Saturday, November 2nd or Sunday the 3rd, perhaps at 9 or 10 AM? Otherwise, would 1 PM be preferable? Please let me know as soon as possible so that I can make certain arrangements.

Dottore Greymoon has already agreed to serve as the attending surgeon, although under the circumstances you have seen fit to chose, I fear his skills may be of little avail should one or the both of you suffer some misfortune. In fact, if you will entertain a suggestion from a gentleman whose passing of years has enabled him to witness more than enough such encounters, I most respectfully request that you two be willing to consider calling the affair settled with the drawing of first blood. I think such a course would more than satisfy the demands of honor and confirm the courage and steadfastness of both parties.

I look forward to hearing from the both of you at your earliest convenience regarding this matter.

your most obedient servant,
Don Aldo Stern, Magistrate The letter seemed to be sufficient, so il Professore dusted it with sand to dry, and then carefully folded it and put it in a envelope for delivery to Don Alfonso for copying. "What a plan," he thought to himself. "Well, if young men will be hardheaded and insist upon risking their lives over honor, there is something to be said for doing so in a unique way like this." Don Aldo had read a good bit about balloons. They seemed a novelty -- a dangerous novelty -- but perhaps they would someday change the course of history, he mused. As he reflected on the situation he decided he would have to write to Dr. Franklin and ask him what he thinks of these devices. If anyone would have interesting ideas about the potential for aeronautical experiments to turn into something useful, it would be Don Beniamino, he thought. ]]> Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:17:13 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/447/return-to-venezia-part-39-burly-makes-his-report https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/447 ~ ]]> Mon, 19 Aug 2013 23:42:04 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/446/return-to-venezia-part-38-meanwhile-back-at-the-tavern https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/446 Sat, 17 Aug 2013 19:59:41 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/444/return-to-venezia-interlude-a-thug-reports-in https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/444
Glancing at the unfriendly face of the Doge in the grim painting behind his boss's desk, Vito the thug looked very uncertain. "Hello Signor Rinaldi," he said tentatively.

Rinaldi was surprised to see him. "Ah number 49, where in the name of beelzebub's backside have you been?"

Vito coughed and looked around nervously.

"and take off your hat, damn you, show some respect!" Rinaldi added sharply.

Vito whipped his hat off his head and held it in his hand, sheepishly muttering in a low voice "I am here to report Signore..."

Rinaldi cut him off. "Damned right you areyou were supposed to following the merchant and those two doxies"

"We did Signore," Vito answered, "even to their ship and out of the harbor."

"And?" "We, um ..... well .... ," Vito's gaze wandered and he twirled his hat, nervously.

"Yes?" Rinaldi was growing visibly impatient.

"We were detained, butbut... but all is not lost, Signore!"

"DETAINED?!!" Rinaldi roared. "By whom?"

"Men from Rocca Sorrentina, they surprised us, Signore."

Vito thought that Rinaldi was going to strike him, but he gathered his courage and went on. "They said we were their guests," as his gaze dropped to the floor once again.

The Sbirri officer swore under his breath and shook his head. After a pause he spoke a bit more calmly. "So ...they locked you up?"

"Yes Signore, I have never in my days heard of a guest being locked up like that!"

"Hmph, they probably called it protective custody or something like that. At least that's what I would have done."

Vito chewed on the inside of his lip, waiting for what would come next.

Rinadli sighed. "Did you at least get to see who those people were going to meet?"

"We were not permitted to roam the island .... but I did hear some things."

Rinaldi was about to explode once more, but Vito's last statement prevented the detonation. He was suddenly very interested in what Vito had to say. "Oh? what sort of things did you hear?"

"I heard that the man Dieter and the women made it there safely."

This time, Rinaldi did explode. He slammed his hand on his desk and bellowed, "SAFELY??!!! Do you think I care two busted coppers if they are healthy or not?!!"

Vito winced and cringed but he made up his mind to go on. "There is more ..... if it would please you for me to say?"

"Please me? it would please me if ye choked on your own tongue, you scrofulous sore on society's backside! Didn't you learn anything useful, you wretched lackwit?!

"They have cannons, I heard the guards whispering ..... they thought I didn't hear, but I did!"

The Sbirri officer's expression immediately changed to something more receptive. "Wait...did you say... cannon?"

Vito nodded vigorously. "Yes!! The island has cannons, new cannons ... how many I do not know, but I heard them say it, in hushed tones."

"New cannon? from where?"

"They did not speak of where the cannons came from.But yes, newly delivered cannons,...but not stayingwaiting to go somewhere else....uh...they spoke of revolution,"

"Revolution...hmmmany hint of where they are going?"

"One of the guards whispered 'Vienna,' Signore ......um... it is in Austria, yes? I do not know what they meant, I did not hear the whole part of the conversation."

Rinaldi sighed once again. And then he almost smiled. Not quitebut almost. "Yes, you dolt. It's in Austria. Well, in spite of yourself you seem to have stumbled on to something useful."

This was a great relief to poor Vito. He puffed out his chest and smiled. "The Signore is pleased that we escaped to tell you these things?"

Rinaldi suddenly felt a wave of suspicion. "Tell me...just how did you escape?"

Vito beamed proudly. "The customs officers were to take us to Naples, I think, and they weren't looking after we landed and we ran off into a crowd, Signore."

"Neapolitans? They were taking you to the mainlandand it was on the mainland that they were inattentive and you slipped away??"

Vito nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! We ran away in the confusion in order to keep serving you and the Republic!"

The wheels inside Rinaldi's head were turning over and over, mixing his preconceived notions about southerners with things he wanted to hear. His fears were now allayed. "Yes, yes, the Republic thanks youand I will simply thank God that they put you into the hands of some fellows actually stupider than you two are."

Vito felt like things were looking up. He was in fact starting to wonder if there was any chance of getting paid

Rinaldi was looking thoughtful. Suddenly he gestured to Vito. "Here now, step closer, 49."

The thug cautiously inched closer to the man behind the desk, halfway expecting to be struck with some heavy, blunt object.

But instead of a club, Rinaldi extended some coins, gold ducats, shining in his hand. His voice was calmer than it had been during the entire conversation. "You have done reasonably well, 49. And you show good loyalty in coming back"

But just as Vito began to reach for the money, his boss snatched the coins back, closing his fist around them. "BUT do not make these kinds of mistakes again, you hear?" he snarled.

Rinadli looked Vito dead in the eye as he said this. Vito realized he was a very lucky man. As he nodded humbly, the Boss reached out once more and this time pressed the coins into his hand.

"Thank you! A thousand thanks, Signore!" Vito bowed over and over again. "I shall try to do better, Signore, all for the Sbirri and the Republic!"


Rinadli waved him away. "You will, I'm surenow be off. Go have a drink, but keep your damned mouth shut, and be back here in the morning for a new job...you understand?

Vito backed away slowly, still bowing as he went ..... "Si, Signore!"

As Vito scurried away to find the nearest brothel and a drink, Rinaldi sat at his desk once more and began writing a memorandum:

" My dear Don Cristoforo: We have received corroborating evidence from a reasonably reliable source that confirms the other information we have received regarding the Conte Foscari's activities. As your Excellency will recall, Gandt had given us more information about another shipment of guns from the previously mentioned foundry. That proved correct and we did find the cannon which were being shipped at the time and place Gandt had directed us to. We now have been told by one of the operatives under my supervision that the guns are in fact being shipped by an indirect path through southern ports, and are ultimately destined for rebels in the Austrian empire, just as Gandt had reported. So it appears that we now can safely conclude that the secretive business being engaged in by the Conte Foscari is not so much involvement with freemasons, but instead is in support of rebels in Austrian territory, most likely Hungary. As your excellency so wisely directed, we shall permit these activities to proceed, as they will in effect serve only to confound our less than friendly neighbors to the north. It also indicates that we can indeed trust Gandt and allow him a little longer leash. As you suggested, he seems to be the perfect agent to gather information on the other arms that the Conte is reportedly shipping from Roma, as he seems to be known and trusted by those involved. And if something bad happens to him, it is no skin off our noses. I shall, with your permission, prepare the papers for him to leave the city and proceed on our behalf to Roma" ~ ]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2013 22:08:25 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/431/return-to-venezia-part-35-in-the-tavern https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/431 Achille shook his head. No as this plan goes forward, the Contessa will no longer be of interest to them. And anyway, I can assure you, she is nowhere near any place that the Sbirri could get to her, even if they knew where she was...whoever they went would not survive the attempt. Devi spat, If if anything happened to her, neither would you!" Mercury lanced at her and then said in a sarcastic tone, When you do see her, kindly give her my best regards, per favore. Achille gave no indication he had paid any attention to this exchange. Instead he looked thoughtful for a moment or two and then turned to Devi. Time to lay out the plan? Devi shrugged. It is your call. Achille turned back to Mercury, who was pouring himself yet another cup of wine while he waited for some answers to his questions. Don Mercurio, do you know do you know why the Sbirri are seeking some advantage over the Conte? Mercury pondered this question a moment and then answered, no... although...one thing I remember, they asked me if I knew the Conte had connections with the...freemasons? Achille nodded. Precisely. they believe he is a member of that secretive bunch of dangerous radicals and subversives, and if they get their claws into the Contessa, they think they could force the Conte to give them information about who else is among the masons in the city... To Mercury, it was if a candle had been lit in a darkened room. Ahhhhh... that makes sense now. Achille shrugged, as Don Aldo says, only the Sbirri would think to make a simple task so complicated. Devi nodded fiercely. They look for Elena to have power over the Conte!!! That is why she had to escape... and yes...we used you as a decoy....but it had to look real. Mercury could not keep the anger out of his voice. And you decided that it wasnt suitable for that brilliant plan to be shared with me? I spent weeks thinking that the Contessa had been kidnapped! Not to mention being beaten up in the bargain. We heard what had happened to you....but that wasn't us...that wasnt expected, explained Devi. We needed you to look for her...it had to look real...to give us enough time to get her away. Glad I was able to help, thank you very much, answered Mercury angrily. He was no where near ready to yet. He turned to Achille. So they need names from the Conte? Achille nodded. Yes, but that is not what you are going to provide... what you will let them know is that he is, in fact, not a freemason... but he is involved with a secret group...an entirely different group with a different purpose. And will they believe it? asked Mercury a bit suspiciously. There will be confirmation coming from other sources, answered Achille. Including Sbirri agents who are currently being held by Don Aldo...and who will be permitted to escape, with evidence enough of this other group. Devi laughed. Itll most likely work...none of these guys are too bright. All right, what should I tell them? asked Mercury. The story that you will present will be that he is helping rebels in the Hungarian part of the Austrian empire. It hasnt been that long since the Hungarians last revolted, so it should be quite plausible. You will present the Sbirri with evidence that the Conte is providing them with cannon and other arms... Cannon, you say? Yes, why do you ask? Well, explained Mercury, because I actually did come across some information about the Conte arranging for cannon to be cast for some mysterious purpose, but I couldnt find out any more about why or for whom. Did you pass that information on to the Sbirri? Mercury answered a bit sheepishly, ah..yes... Ha! this is splendid! Your previous report about the cannon being made for the Conte will dovetail nicely with this new information...in fact, you will direct them to a new shipment of a few cannon that they can intercept and inspect...and which they will more than likely let go, once they have established the apparent truth of what you are saying. Mercury was pondering the political subtleties of this story. So...I tell them the guns are for rebels in the Austrian empire...oh, this is getting nicer and nicer..that idea will appeal to them, wont it? Achille smiled. The rulers of Venezia have no love for Austria...they fear and distrust the empire... And I will be telling them that the Conte does them a service through his secret efforts to weaken the emperor? Yes...in effect, they are more likely to believe this because you are telling them something they want to hear. And the key will the actual cannon...I will give you details on some cannon that are ready to be shipped...you will tell the Sbirri when and where... they will find the cannon and hey, presto, you will seem very trustworthy to them... And then? And then you will tell them that there is another shipment of arms for the rebels -- muskets, most likely -- that are being shipped by the Contes organization through Roma...and that you have been engaged to helped oversee the shipment...and you want to find out more information for them." And they will give me papers to travel to Roma, you think? I would be very much surprised if they did not. What if they send one or more of their agents with me? That would be unfortunate, but acceptable. The Professores colleagues in Roma will take care of them. Those same colleagues of his will help you with evading anyone who is following you and get you to the Kingdom of Naples. Sounds logical. Achille nodded. It is not too complex...in misleading the Sbirri away from the Contes possible involvement with the Freemasons, we arrange to make you look good in their eyes...you tell them there is something else you must follow up on that will involve you going to Roma...then you have papers that get you as far as Roma -- which is the hard part during which the papers will be essential -- and from there all you really have to worry about is bad water and banditti. Mercury drummed his fingers on the table thoughtfully. Sounds tempting... but you mean, of course, I don't stay long in Roma, correct? Achille laughed, oh you can if you want to, but unless you are dying to see St. Peter's, I would suggest yourself the hell to Rocca Sorrentina as fast as you can. Yes, I get it, Mercury replied. I suppose Don Aldo is eager to meet me... Mercury Gandts mood was decidedly improving and a hint of smalie came to his face. It sounded like a good bargain... he can keep the sbirri money, even getting a passport from them, and he can escape from them too... the world becomes a brighter place, eventually... Then Achille interrupted his happy thoughts. I am sure he will discuss with you the reality that there is, of course, a quid pro quo for all this...the job or jobs he has in mind for your special talents. But that will also be an opportunity for you. I am sure they are jobs for which you would be well compensated... Mercurys smile faded a bit at this. I see... and I assume you don't know what kind of jobs? No...I cannot say that I do...I must be honest about that. But...he has never asked me to kill anyone in the course of the jobs I have done for him. Mercury coughed involuntarily. Ah.... I see... anyway, I wouldn't be a very talented assassin... Achille laughed. No, should he ever need one I think I know where he could find the perfect candidate. He arched an eyebrow at Devi, who blushed coyly. Signor Gandt...may I ask what you are thinking? asked Achille. Will I meet the Conte Foscari too? So far you mentioned Don Aldo... It is entirely possible... but, I am not privy to the plans of the Conte. I can only speak for what I have been told by Don Aldo. But let me assure you...you will be treated fairly in any enterprise in which Don Aldo has a role. I'm intrigued by the possibility of meeting him. Mercury paused a moment and then stated firmly, alright, sounds like a good bargain... if you help me to escape from the sbirri, keeping their money and my credit in their eyes... I'm in That is splendid news...we will commence execution of this immediately, and I have every confidence you will be back in Rocca Sorrentina before much time has passed at all, answered Achille. By the way, asked Mercury, who are the cannon really for? Oh, they are for Don Aldo. He requires them for some entirely separate project. Mercury though about this moment and then stood. Achille, it is a pleasure to do business with you...what is next? Achille also stood and extended his hand. We will provide you with everything you require for this enterprise. You need only to act your part in a convincing manner. When Mercury grasped Achilles hand, he noticed that the tavern-keeper had crooked his thumb over the first joint of Mercury's index finger. Although he recognized its significance, he did not respond as they shook hands. Achille smiled pleasantly. Very well. One of the apprentices is waiting outside to direct you home...you will have all you need by morning." Mercury Gandt said his farewells to Achille and Devi, who had unlatched the door. After he went out and the door was once again closed, Devi looked at Achille and sighed. I still think it would be far simpler to send him on a long walk off a short pier. ~ ]]> Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:52:01 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/428/return-to-venezia-part-34-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-coincidence https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/428 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 13:29:28 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/410/return-to-venezia-part-33who-is-watching-who https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/410 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 21:55:09 -0700 https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/393/return-to-venezia-part-30-conclusion-the-advantages-of-being-on-an-island https://livinghistoryvw.com/aldo-stern/blog/393 Mon, 20 May 2013 21:03:17 -0700