Part 87 (1/2)
”Are they coming so near? We must get Calabressa to procure some of them a dozen or two on board the schooner. However--”
He sat down again, and lit another cigar.
”We must pay Calabressa a compliment, Granaglia; it was well done--very clever; it has all turned out just as he imagined; it is not the first time he has done us good service, with all his volubility. Oh yes; the rascal knows when to hold his tongue. At this moment, for example, he refuses to open his lips.
”Pardon, your Excellency; but I do not understand you.”
The general laughed a little, and continued talking--it was one way of pa.s.sing the time.
”It is a good joke enough. The wily old Calabressa saw pretty clearly what the decision of the Council would be, and so he comes to me and entreats me to be the bearer of the news to Madame Lind and her daughter. Oh yes; it is good news, this deliverance of the Englishman; Madame Lind is an old friend of mine; she and her daughter will be grateful. But you perceive, Granaglia, that what the cunning old dog was determined to avoid was the reporting to Madame Lind that her husband had been sentenced. That was no part of the original programme. And now Calabressa holds his mouth shut; he keeps out of the way; it is left for me to go and inform the mother and daughter.”
His voice became more serious.
”The devil take it, it is no pleasant task at all! One is never sure how the brain of a woman will work; you start the engine, but it may plunge back the wrong way and strike you. Calabressa is afraid. The fox is hiding in some hole until it is all over.”
”Cannot I be of some service, your Excellency?” the Secretary said.
”No, no; but I thank you, friend Granaglia. It is a delicate matter; it must be approached with circ.u.mspection; and I as an old acquaintance of Madame Lind, ought not to s.h.i.+rk the duty.”
Apparently, it was not Calabressa only who had some dread of the difficulties of news-bearer.
”It is impossible for your Excellency to go near the hotel at present,”
said the Secretary, promptly.
But his chief refused to accept this offered means of escape.
”That is true, but it is not a difficulty. To-night, friend Granaglia, you will send a message to the hotel, bidding them be at the Villa Odelschalchi to-morrow morning at eleven--you understand?”
”Certainly, your Excellency.”
”Then I will meet them, and take the risk. Everything must be settled off at once: we have wasted too much time over this affair, Granaglia.
When does the Genoa Council meet?”
”On the Seventh.”
”To-morrow you must issue the summonses. Come, Granaglia, let us be stirring; it is cold. Where does Brother Conventz sleep to-night?”
”On board the schooner, your Excellency.”
”I also. To-morrow, at eleven, you will be at Portici; to-night you will send the message to the ladies at the hotel; and also, if you can, find out where that rogue Calabressa is hiding.”
That was the last of their talking. There was some locking up inside; then they pa.s.sed down through the dark garden and out into the road.
There was no one visible. They walked on in silence.
Punctually at eleven the next morning Natalie and her mother appeared at the iron gates of the Villa Odelschalchi and rang the bell. The porter appeared, admitted them, and then turned to the great white staircase, which Granaglia was at that moment seen to be descending.
”Will the ladies have the goodness to step into the garden?” said the Secretary, with grave courtesy. ”General von Zoesch will be with them directly.”
He accompanied them as far as the top of the terrace, and then bowed and withdrew.