You know somebody in the house ?" "Yes, sir--the under-cook; he stood godfather with me for the baby of a cousin of mine--the young man who drives Prince Valdarno's private brougham: a clever fellow, too." "And this under-cook," said Del Ferice, who was not above entering into details with his servant--"is he a discreet character ?" "Oh, for that, you may trust him.

Only sometimes--" Temistocle grinned, and made a gesture which signified drinking.
"And when he is drunk ?" asked Del Ferice.
"When he is drunk he tells everything; but he never remembers anything he has been told, or has said.

When he is drunk he is a dictionary; but the first draught of water washes out his memory like a slate." "Well--give me my purse; it is under my pillow.Go.Here is a _scudo_, Temistocle.

You can make him very drunk for that." Temistocle hesitated, and looked at the money.
"Another couple of _pauls_ would make it safer," he remarked.
"Well, there they are; but you must make him very drunk indeed.

You must find out all he knows, and you must keep sober yourself." "Leave that to me.