me to suggest anything,
and then ask what I want to suggest. My plan requires your help in
action, not only in thinking out."

"Let me hear it and then we will discuss."

"Tell me first whether you have heard anything about schemes for a
rising in Venetia."

"I have heard of nothing but schemes for risings and Sanfedist plots
ever since the amnesty, and I fear I am as sceptical about the one as
about the other."

"So am I, in most cases; but I am speaking of really serious
preparations for a rising of the whole province against the Austrians.
A good many young fellows in the Papal States--particularly in the
Four Legations--are secretly preparing to get across there and join as
volunteers. And I hear from my friends in the Romagna----"

"Tell me," she interrupted, "are you quite sure that these friends of
yours can be trusted?"

"Quite sure. I know them personally, and have worked with them."

"That is, they are members of the 'sect' to which you belong? Forgive
my scepticism, but I am always a little doubtful as to the accuracy
of information received from secret societies. It seems to me that the
habit----"

"Who told you I belonged to a 'sect'?" he interrupted sharply.

"No one; I guessed it."

"Ah!" He leaned back in his chair and looked at her, frowning. "Do you
always guess people's private affairs?" he said after a moment.

"Very often. I am rather observant, and have a habit of putting things
together. I tell you that so that you may be careful when you don't want
me to know a thing."

"I don't mind your knowing anything so long as it goes no further. I
suppose this has not----"

She lifted her head with a gesture of half-offended surprise. "Surely
that is an unnecessary question!" she said.

"Of course I know you would not speak of anything to outsiders; but I
thought that perhaps, to the members of your party----"

"The party's business is with facts, not with my personal conjectures
and fancies. Of course I have never mentioned the subject to anyone."

"Thank you. Do you happen to have guessed which sect I belong to?"

"I hope--you must not take offence at my frankness; it was you who
started this talk, you know---- I do hope it is not the 'Knifers.'"

"Why do you hope that?"

"Because you are fit for better things."

"We are all fit for better things than we ever do. There is your own
answer back again. However, it is not the 'Knifers' that I belong to,
but the 'Red Girdles.' They