knows, Your Eminence, I should be thankful to do it! But how
am I to prevent the people rescuing him on the way? I have not soldiers
enough to resist an armed attack; and all these mountaineers have got
knives or flint-locks or some such thing."

"You still persist, then, in wishing for a court-martial, and in asking
my consent to it?"

"Pardon me, Your Eminence; I ask you only one thing--to help me prevent
riots and bloodshed. I am quite willing to admit that the military
commissions, such as that of Colonel Freddi, were sometimes
unnecessarily severe, and irritated instead of subduing the people; but
I think that in this case a court-martial would be a wise measure and
in the long run a merciful one. It would prevent a riot, which in itself
would be a terrible disaster, and which very likely might cause a return
of the military commissions His Holiness has abolished."

The Governor finished his little speech with much solemnity, and waited
for the Cardinal's answer. It was a long time coming; and when it came
was startlingly unexpected.

"Colonel Ferrari, do you believe in God?"

"Your Eminence!" the colonel gasped in a voice full of
exclamation-stops.

"Do you believe in God?" Montanelli repeated, rising and looking down at
him with steady, searching eyes. The colonel rose too.

"Your Eminence, I am a Christian man, and have never yet been refused
absolution."

Montanelli lifted the cross from his breast.

"Then swear on the cross of the Redeemer Who died for you, that you have
been speaking the truth to me."

The colonel stood still and gazed at it blankly. He could not quite make
up his mind which was mad, he or the Cardinal.

"You have asked me," Montanelli went on, "to give my consent to a man's
death. Kiss the cross, if you dare, and tell me that you believe there
is no other way to prevent greater bloodshed. And remember that if you
tell me a lie you are imperilling your immortal soul."

After a little pause, the Governor bent down and put the cross to his
lips.

"I believe it," he said.

Montanelli turned slowly away.

"I will give you a definite answer to-morrow. But first I must see
Rivarez and speak to him alone."

"Your Eminence--if I might suggest--I am sure you will regret it. For
that matter, he sent me a message yesterday, by the guard, asking to see
Your Eminence; but I took no notice of it, because----"

"Took no notice!" Montanelli repeated. "A man in such circumstances sent