"Did you have any thing to do with the emissaries of Garibaldi?"
"Nothing."
"Take care how you deny."
"We say we know nothing at all either of the Revolutionists or Imperialists or Garibaldians or any other party. We are merely travellers."
"Hm--a strong disavowment," said the General to himself. "You have never in any way countenanced the rebels."'
"No."
"Think before you speak."
"We are free Americans. Perhaps you know that the citizens of that country say what they think and do what they like. We have gone on that rule in Italy. What I say is, that we do not know any thing about rebels or any political parties in the country."
"Do you know _La Cica_?" asked the General, with the air of a man who was putting a home-thrust, and speaking with uncommon fierceness.
"I do," said the Senator, mildly.