The Minister of the Interior sat in his cabinet before a table covered with blue-books and the square sheets of his "projects of law," and the Commendatore Angelelli, with his usual extravagant politeness, was standing and bowing by his side.
"And what is this about proclamations issued by Rossi?" said the Baron, fixing his eye-glasses and looking up.
"We have traced the printer who published them," said Angelelli. "After he was arrested he gave the name of the person who paid him and provided the copy."
The Baron bowed without speaking.
"It was a certain lady, Excellency," said Angelelli in his thin voice, "so we thought it well to wait for your instructions."
"You did right, Commendatore. Leave that part of the matter to me. And Rossi himself—he is still in England?"
"In France, your Excellency, but we have letters from both London and Paris detailing all his movements."
"Good."
"The Chief Commissioner writes that during his stay in London Rossi lodged in Soho, and received visits from nearly all the representatives of revolutionary parties. Apparently he united many conflicting forces, and not only the Democratic Federations and the Socialist and Labour Leagues, but also the Radical organisations and various religious guilds and unions gathered about him."
The Baron made a gesture of impatience. "It's a case of birds of a feather. London has always been the central home of anarchy under various big surnames. What does the Commissioner understand to be Rossi's plan?"