Von Zoesch rose, and stretched his huge frame, and yawned.

“So this is the end of the episode Lind,” he said, idly.  “It is a pity.  But if a man plays a risky game and loses, he must pay.  Perhaps the warning will be wholesome, Granaglia.  Our friends must understand that our laws are not laid down for nothing, and that we are not afraid to punish offenders, even if these be among ourselves.  I suppose there is nothing further to be done to-night?”

“I would ask your Excellency to remain here for a little time yet,” said the Secretary.

“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 passing 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 circumspection; and I as an old acquaintance of Madame Lind, ought not to shirk 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?”