Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-28

him away, and, having Doited the ooof, leaneu
his back against 1t.
And now the Doge, being left alone with Mar
vaez bade whose knocked enter, and instantly
there appeared messenger, who saluted Bar
barigo with reverence, though, with malicious
intention. leaving ajar the door, SO that an
officer and six haiberdiers could be seen stand
ing in the hall.
sWhat business brings you thus impetu-
ously?" asked the Doge, with an abruptness OF
tone and an aversion of manner he did not at
II am ordered by the Clerk of the Council to
ask the reason for which you, this morning,
ordered the release of a prisoner named Hermes
Sforza, accused Of high treason, and to require
his instant attendance
my proceeding will not fail to commend it.
self. That an unknown youth, and stranger,
should harbor designs against my life, seemed
so iucomprehensible that, for my honest infor-
nation. wished to question him in gentleness
before he should pass to the sterner ordeal OF
the Inquisitors"
SIT shall be so answered: now bid him follow
me-"
Zone moment Is needed to finish the inquiry
You broke in upon, and by my faith it shall last
no longer. What, man! think you would re-
lease him, or fear you he can escape"
The messenger yielded with i'll grace, mutter-
ing as he withdrew.
When the Doge turned from his coIloquy, he
perceived by the change in the bright, young
face, that the sacrifice about to be required
had been guessed. BarDarigo rose from his
seat, caught Narvaez by the hand. and whis-
pered: You must 60; you must take the place
Of Hermes Sforza 1t seems to you fearful
thing, but so it must be. Bear bold heart;
fear not but will work to save you, as though
you were my own flesh and blood"
"Why must l take Hermes' placer asked
Narvaez, whose lips quivered as he spoke.
because there is terrible risk about that
which otherwise awaits him-perhaps the
question, possibly worse-see, conceal moth
ing from YOU" -
HBut, again ask, why put me in his placer"
because the DEVILS letter you thrust in my
hand last night, binds me to the Duke of Milan
by an obligation shudder to recall. 1t were
an i'll beginning, since am to serve him. to let
his nephew be done to death. You alone can
take the risk; you can pass for Sforza, for you
will appear only before the Council and their
attendantS not one of whom has seen him.
Make the best defense you can, and trust to
me for your escape tonight"
And Hermes?'
'Shall be out of Venice before the sun
touches the horizon"
The young swordsmau listened with flush
of color that died suddenly away; then, with
an accent Of determination beyond his years,
he resolutely answered: BE 1t as you will, and
if l perish-let 1t be said to Hermes that met
this danger willingly to save him."
Meanwhile Hermes eagerly availed himself
of his opportunity to question the Doge' 8
brother upon the events Of the previous night.
and that parsonage was soon volubly discours-
ing and gesticulating. The minutes passed;
opened and closed; at length all was quiet.
Their desultory talk drew to an end; the secre-
tary, still leaning against the door Of commu'
nication became silent
'Narvaez is again alone with the Doee," OBJ
served Hermes, after listening pause; "let US
to him,-our task is accomplished; we would
The Venetian yielded to this importantly; he
unbolted the door, and allowed Hermes to re
enter the study, where, to his astonishment, he
perceived Barbarigo alone.
He glanced about the room abruptly; then
with an angry face, he stammered: 1.-THE youth
whom we left here with you-what has become
of himf'
Barbarigo looked up with troubled air, and
hesitatingly answered. THE youth is gone
Fear not; he shall return unharmed. 1t wal
the only recourse to spare you an examina
tion."
WHAT He has been taken before the Coun
CLIP
.The iailers came for their prisoner, and al
my suggestion he consented to take youl
place"
At hearing this, Hermes dashed his cap upor
the ground with an oath. his face became pur
pie with rage, and, turning upon the Secretary,
he made as though he would have taken that
worthy by the throat.
would to Heaven you had asked mel" be
calculated. "How quickly l should have re-
fused it! But at least" he continued, smiting
promise Of his safety. Tell me What this ex
animation is to be. and when he will be re-
leasedf
Barbarigo wiped his face with a silk hand
kerchiet; the midsummer sun was gaining
power, and his emotions rendered him an un.
comfortable prince. He replied: "Your com.
panion stands in no greater risk than I do in
this solemn hour. 1t was my first duty to the
Duke Of Milan to rescue bis nephew 1t re.
manned unavoidable that someone must take
his place before the council"
''But, in the fiend's name, why not blurt the
truth and tellhow trivial was our errandf'
Trivial! Your purpose was crime which
Venice punishes with death"
'And if your Council find Narvaez guiltyf'
"Then means shall be found TO save him. "
answered Hermes 81 will make public every.
thing that have seen and heard in Venice, and
hereafter, at the Judgment day, 1 will CRY
vengeance upon yours
peace, poor FOOL" answered Barbarigo
''think you I could not in the next hour have
your life taken and leave your swordsman tc
his fater'
''Say no more, whispered Barbarigo's brother
to Hermes; you may put faithin the Doge. fol
he shares your peril in what has become State
secret; let US be silent now. and devote our
selves TO your companions rescue; and for you
meanwhile, place of safety under this very
roof has been contrived, where you shall re
ceive frequent Information and be in readines!
for fight tomorrow. Follow me. then, by this
private door; let us lose no time; come, lei
us CO."
It was an ordinary circumstance for the mem
bers of the Council of Three to be summoned
from rest, or pleasure, or private affairs, to sit
either as theSupreme Executive of the State, OF
as court having the functions Of judge, jury
and prosecutor. The news Of . conspiracy ha6
been conveyed to each during the night, and
upon first assembling, they had passed an houl
in hearing read the record of the prisoners ex
animation upon his arrest, and in listening tc
the testimony of the boatmen. They had now
finished with the report of the signori di notte
and the boatmen. having told their story, ha6
been discharged; it was not the practice of the
time, nor Of that court, to put the prisoner il
presence of his accuscrs OF of witnesses.
If Narvaez had not at first comprehended
the imminence and extremity of the danger he
accepted, he realized it nowin standing before
tribunal distinguished for never leaning tc
the side of mercy. He knew that to confess
was to incur immediate sentence of death
with no hope beyond Barbarigo's fral promise
of rescue. To deny was TO be ordered instantly
upon the rack. He looked at the judges before
him in their scarlet robes. and readan unfinch
ing purpose upon the face Of each; then he
glanced at the Secretary, trimming his pens
and at the slave still lingering his metal gag
then his eye rested upon the rack. and at sight
of that appalling instruments the anguish oi
despair came over him in a thought of con
vulsed lips, and starting eyes, and lacerateC
flesh, and sobs and shrieks.
Young man." began the elder and appar
emily the chief of the three, after pause ot
with the greatest offense known to the law OF
Venice. We are here to determine your pun
ishment. Do you acknowledge yourself to be
the person CHARGED with this plotr'
"Yes. l am Hermes Sforza, nephew TO the
Duke of Milan"