I hoped this, although I was at great pains to prudently hide my secret hopes from Maironi.
"Two years have elapsed since the day of his disappearance, and nothing has since been heard of him.

Monsignore, when you read these words, I also shall have disappeared.

I beg you to take my place in this pious stewardship.

You will act as your conscience may dictate, as you may deem best.
"And pray for the soul of Your poor DON GIUSEPPE FLORES." Benedetto laid the paper down, and gazed into the Pontiff's face, waiting.
"Are you Piero Maironi ?" he said.
"Yes, your Holiness." The Pontiff smiled pleasantly.
"First of all, I am glad you are alive," he said.

"That Bishop believed you were dead; he opened the packet, and deemed it his duty to entrust it to the Vicar of Christ.