CHAPTER XXV.
SECRETS OF THE COMMISSARIAT.
The mysterious workings of the commissary department are beyond the understanding of ordinary mortals.

Therefore let it suffice us to take only a passing glance at those mysteries.
Benjamin Vajdar was enjoying a tete-a-tete with the Marchioness Caldariva after the theatre.
"Well, what has my cripple to report of his day's doings ?" asked Rozina.
"Is all going well in Italy ?" "We signed a contract to-day for supplying our army there with forty thousand cattle," was Vajdar's reply.
"Ah, that will make about two hundredweight of beef to a man," returned the other, reckoning on her fingers.
"Not an ounce of which will ever reach them," said the secretary, with a smile; "but we shall make a couple of millions out of the transaction,--a mere bagatelle for Papa Cagliari, however; not enough to keep him in champagne." "A very clever stroke of yours," commented the marchioness, with approval; "and I can tell you of another little operation the prince has in hand just now.

Bring me the morocco pocketbook out of my writing-desk, please." Vajdar limped across the room and brought the pocketbook.

Rozina opened it and drew forth an official-looking document.
"Here is a contract for so and so many bushels of grain to be furnished to the army.

You see it foots up a large sum, but the profits won't be so very great, after all, owing to the recent rise in prices on the corn exchange." "Oh, don't worry about that," interposed Benjamin, with a knowing smile.
"Who will ever know the difference if a quarter part of the total weight is chaff and clay?
It will all grind up into excellent flour, and when the soldier eats his barley bread or his rye loaf it will taste all the better to him.