meeting, and the names of the persons present, and placed it in a
drawer in his room. He told Giuseppi what he had done.

"I do not think there is the least chance of our ever being recognized,
Giuseppi. There was not enough light for the man to have made out our
features. Still there is nothing like taking precautions, and if--I
don't think it is likely, mind--but if anything should ever happen to
me--if I should be missing, for example, and not return by the
following morning--you take that paper out of my drawer and drop it
into the Lion's Mouth. Then, if you are questioned, tell the whole
story."

"But they will never believe me, Messer Francisco," Giuseppi said in
alarm.

"They will believe you, because it will be a confirmation of my story;
but I don't think that there is the least chance of our ever hearing
anything further about it."

"Why not denounce them at once without putting your name to it,"
Giuseppi said. "Then they could pounce upon them over there, and find
out all about it for themselves?"

"I have thought about it, Giuseppi, but there is something treacherous
in secret denunciations. These men have done me no harm, and as a
foreigner their political schemes do not greatly concern me. I should
not like to think I had sent twelve men to the dungeons and perhaps to
death."

"I think it's a pity you ever went there at all, Messer Francisco."