"How did you know?"
"Never mind how I know, Camillo. It is, as you see, useless for you to
try and deceive me. You have given the contract to those Germans--for a
consideration. But don't think that I blame you. Why, I should do the
very same thing myself. I get a little in my own small way out of
certain people in Asti, but not enough. That's why I am compelled, so
much against my will, to come to you."
"Ah!" groaned the Minister, facing him quickly and determinedly. "The
same old story--eh? Money."
"Like air, it is a necessity of life," he replied, smiling. "I have
been in want of it for a month past, but preferred to wait rather than
to trouble you while you were on holiday."
"But you surely get enough now!" protested His Excellency. "I've
obtained a dozen different favours for you; I've given you appointments;
I've allowed you to make recommendations for military decorations in
Piedmont; I've allowed you to handle the secret service funds; and I've
done all I could so as to place you in a position to receive secret
commission. But of course, if you fail to make use of your
opportunities, it is not my fault."
"Never fear. I do not stir a finger without some consideration," he
laughed. "You surely know me too well after all these years. No; I
find that it is not sufficient. Money I want, and money I must have.
Recollect what services I have rendered to you in the Camera, my dear
Camillo," he went on. "You surely do not forget the dead set made
against you a year ago, and how I succeeded in uniting the various
groups and inducing them to pass a vote of confidence! You never were
nearer downfall than you were that afternoon--except, perhaps, to-night.
You have enemies, my dear friend--enemies in the Socialist groups, who
declare that you have held office too long," he added.
"I know," exclaimed the other hoarsely. "I know that," and he tossed
his cigar away with a quick, impatient gesture.
"While you've been abroad I have been active in secretly ascertaining
the real state of political opinion in the north, and much as I regret
to tell you, it is distinctly antagonistic. Now that Milan is such a
strong Socialist centre the other large towns are following, and an
agitation is spreading against you. They want a fresh man in office as
Minister of War--the man who is so cleverly scheming to replace you."
"To replace me!" exclaimed Morini. "And who is this man, pray?"
The words which Vito Ricci had spoken sank like iron into his soul. He
knew, alas! how very precarious was his office.
"The man is our friend Angelo," slowly replied the crafty deputy.
"Already in the north he is looked upon as your successor. If the
groups in the Camera fall asunder, then your dismissal is imminent. I
know this is a very unwelcome piece of news, my dear Camillo, but it is
a hard fact which I have come here to-night to reveal to you."