for, honestly, I
don't know what to do."

"Is there any new difficulty?"

"Only that next Thursday is the 3d of June,--Corpus Domini,--and somehow
or other the matter must be settled before then."

"Thursday is Corpus Domini, certainly; but why must it be settled
especially before then?"

"I am exceedingly sorry, Your Eminence, if I seem to oppose you, but I
can't undertake to be responsible for the peace of the town if Rivarez
is not got rid of before then. All the roughest set in the hills
collects here for that day, as Your Eminence knows, and it is more than
probable that they may attempt to break open the fortress gates and take
him out. They won't succeed; I'll take care of that, if I have to sweep
them from the gates with powder and shot. But we are very likely to have
something of that kind before the day is over. Here in the Romagna there
is bad blood in the people, and when once they get out their knives----"

"I think with a little care we can prevent matters going as far as
knives. I have always found the people of this district easy to get on
with, if they are reasonably treated. Of course, if you once begin to
threaten or coerce a Romagnol he becomes unmanageable. But have you any
reason for supposing a new rescue scheme is intended?"

"I heard, both this morning and yesterday, from confidential agents of
mine, that a great many rumours are circulating all over the district
and that the people are evidently up to some mischief or other. But
one can't find out the details; if one could it would be easier to take
precautions. And for my part, after the fright we had the other day, I
prefer to be on the safe side. With such a cunning fox as Rivarez one
can't be too careful."

"The last I heard about Rivarez was that he was too ill to move or
speak. Is he recovering, then?"

"He seems much better now, Your Eminence. He certainly has been very
ill--unless he was shamming all the time."

"Have you any reason for supposing that likely?"

"Well, the doctor seems convinced that it was all genuine; but it's a
very mysterious kind of illness. Any way, he is recovering, and more
intractable than ever."

"What has he done now?"

"There's not much he can do, fortunately," the Governor answered,
smiling as he remembered the straps. "But his behaviour is something
indescribable. Yesterday morning I went into the cell to ask him a
few questions; he is not well enough yet to come to me for
interrogation--an