“Do so,” said the Pope.

Again there was a pause.  Then once more the names began.

“’The Bishops of Bukarest, the Marquesas Islands and Newfoundland.  The Franciscans in Japan, the Crutched Friars in Morocco, the Archbishops of Manitoba and Portland, and the Cardinal-Archbisbop of Pekin.  I have despatched two members of Christ Crucified to England.’”

“Tell us when the news first arrived, and how.”

“’I was called up to the instrument yesterday evening at about twenty o’clock.  The Archbishop of Sydney was asking, through our station at Bombay, whether the news was true.  I replied I had heard nothing of it.  Within ten minutes four more inquiries had come to the same effect; and three minutes later Cardinal Ruspoli sent the positive news from Turin.  This was accompanied by a similar message from Father Petrovski in Moscow.  Then—–­ ’”

“Stop.  Why did not Cardinal Dolgorovski communicate it?”

“‘He did communicate it three hours later.’”

“Why not at once?”

“‘His Eminence had not heard it.’”

“Find out at what hour the news reached Moscow—­not now, but within the day.”

“‘I will.’”

“Go on, then.”

“’Cardinal Malpas communicated it within five minutes of Cardinal Ruspoli, and the rest of the inquiries arrived before midnight.  China reported it at twenty-three.’”

“Then when do you suppose the news was made public?”

“’It was decided first at the secret London conference, yesterday, at about sixteen o’clock by our time.  The Plenipotentiaries appear to have signed it at that hour.  After that it was communicated to the world.  It was published here half an hour past midnight.’”

“Then Felsenburgh was in London?”

“’I am not yet sure.  Cardinal Malpas tells me that Felsenburgh gave his provisional consent on the previous day.’”

“Very good.  That is all you know, then?”

“’I was called up an hour ago by Cardinal Ruspoli again.  He tells me that he fears a riot in Florence; it will be the first of many revolutions, he says.’”

“Does he ask for anything?”

“‘Only for directions.’”

“Tell him that we send him the Apostolic Benediction, and will forward directions within the course of two hours.  Select twelve members of the Order for immediate service.”

“‘I will.’”

“Communicate that message also, as soon as we have finished, to all the Sacred College, and bid them communicate it with all discretion to all metropolitans and bishops, that priests and people may know that We bear them in our heart.”

“‘I will, Holiness.’”

“Tell them, finally, that We had foreseen this long ago; that We commend them to the Eternal Father without Whose Providence no sparrow falls to the ground.  Bid them be quiet and confident; to do nothing, save confess their faith when they are questioned.  All other directions shall be issued to their pastors immediately!”