were assured that sporting arms would be admitted."

His Excellency knitted his brows.

"That can be arranged," suggested Simoun.

"How?"

"Very simply. Sporting arms nearly all have a caliber of six
millimeters, at least those now in the market. Authorize only the
sale of those that haven't these six millimeters."

All approved this idea of Simoun's, except the high official, who
muttered into Padre Fernandez's ear that this was not dignified,
nor was it the way to govern.

"The schoolmaster of Tiani," proceeded the secretary, shuffling some
papers about, "asks for a better location for--"

"What better location can he want than the storehouse that he has
all to himself?" interrupted Padre Camorra, who had returned, having
forgotten about the card-game.

"He says that it's roofless," replied the secretary, "and that having
purchased out of his own pocket some maps and pictures, he doesn't
want to expose them to the weather."

"But I haven't anything to do with that," muttered his Excellency. "He
should address the head secretary, [22] the governor of the province,
or the nuncio."