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shortly.”
    Disappointed, Niccola took a step back. “Of course, Signor’ Conte. But it’s important.”
    “All the more reason to open it in private,” said di Santo-Germano, and continued on through his house to the stairs, which he climbed two at a time. As soon as he reached his study, he broke the seal on the letter and read the contents, his frown deepening as he read:
    To the most esteemed foreigner, Conte Franzicco Ragoczy di Santo-Germano, the greetings of Romealdo Ambrogio, merchant and clerk to the Collegio.
    I am bidden to inform you that the recommendations and designs you have submitted to the Collegio for the improvement of our warships is under review. You will be asked to wait upon the Savii of the Collegio within the next ten days. Being that you hold no allegiance to any sovereign or any position that would compromise your situation in Venezia, your Word of Surety is all that is required of you at this time. You are asked to hold yourself in readiness, and to inform the Collegio of any travel you may be undertaking within the next year, along with sworn statements of purpose and destinations of such travel. I am certain you understand the necessity of this.

    San Marco and the Adriatic preserve Venezia,
Romealdo Ambrogio
     

    by my own hand, this day, May 10 th , 1530 Anno Domini

    Di Santo-Germano sat still, tapping the note on his hand. This might explain his being followed, he thought, all the while puzzling over the clerk’s note. The Doge often assigned spies to those whose work was closely tied to the interests of the Venezian State, but such men usually had skill enough not to be noticed. His thoughts were interrupted as Ruggier came through the side-door that led to the stairs to di Santo-Germano’s alchemical laboratory on the top floor of the house. “There you are. How is it with you, old friend?” he asked as he saw the scowl on Ruggier’s face.
    “I caught Euchario—”
    “The under-steward?” di Santo-Germano interjected.
    “The very man,” said Ruggier with morose satisfaction. “He was in the stairwell there”—he pointed to the door he had just opened—“and I suspect he had been to the laboratory, although he declared he had not. He claimed he didn’t know you had left the house.”
    “Did he give any reason for his explorations?” di Santo-Germano asked as if he were inquiring about nothing more important than the latest shipment of hides from Tana; he continued to speak in the Venezian dialect.
    “He said it was to serve the State, but nothing more than that,” said Ruggier in the same tongue. “I have him confined to his room, awaiting your decision about him.”
    “Ah.” Di Santo-Germano glanced at the note he held and put it aside. “Is this the first thing he has done for the State, or has he reported my doings regularly?”
    “He did not say,” Ruggier told him.
    “Well, we may be certain he is not the only spy in this household.”
    “Yes, we may,” Ruggier agreed, clear disapproval on his lean face, and waited for di Santo-Germano to go on.
    “Milano tells me I am being followed,” di Santo-Germano said remotely. “Is it more of the same, do you think?”
    “It may be.”
    “Did he tell you what he was after?” di Santo-Germano asked.
    “I did not press him for an answer, and he volunteered only that he was serving the State, as I mentioned before; he would not say anything more, even when I told him I would demand an official inquiry, before a Judicial Tribunal,” Ruggier said, clearly dissatisfied. He took a long breath. “He seems confident that his position is unassailable.”
    Di Santo-Germano rose and paced toward the window. “Which means it would be folly to dismiss him, for another, possibly more accomplished, would only be sent in his place.”
    “It is something to consider,” said Ruggier.
    “How long has he been kept in his quarters?” di Santo-Germano asked.
    “An hour or so,” said Ruggier. “I put Captain Gozzoli