The removal of a square piece of cement showed a recess, where, chiefly during the night, letters and proclamation papers were deposited, for the accredited postman to disperse them.

Hither, as one would go to a caffe for the news, Barto Rizzo came in the broad glare of noon, and flinging himself down like a tired man under the strip of shade, worked with a hand behind him, and drew out several folded scraps, of which one was addressed to him by his initials.

He opened it and read: 'Your house is watched.
'A corporal of the P...

ka regiment was seen leaving it this morning in time for the second bugle.
'Reply:--where to meet.
'Spies are doubled, troops coming.
'The numbers in Verona; who heads them.
'Look to your wife.
'Letters are called for every third hour.' Barto sneered indolently at this fresh evidence of the small amount of intelligence which he could ever learn from others.

He threw his eyes all round the vacant space while pencilling in reply:--'V.