So sure was Del Ferice of his means of transmission that he did not even use a cipher, though he, of course, never signed any of his writings.

The matter was invariably a detailed chronicle of Roman sayings and doings, a record as minute as Del Ferice could make it, of everything that took place, and even the Cardinal himself was astonished at the accuracy of the information thus conveyed.

His own appearances in public--the names of those with whom he talked--even fragments of his conversation--were given with annoying exactness.

The statesman learned with infinite disgust that he had for some time past been subjected to a system of espionage at least as complete as any of his own invention; and, what was still more annoying to his vanity, the spy was the man of all others whom he had most despised, calling him harmless and weak, because he cunningly affected weakness.

Where or how Del Ferice procured so much information the Cardinal cared little enough, for he determined there and then that he should procure no more.