New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-25
PIETRO GHISLERI.
BY r. MARION CRAWFORD.
Author of "Saracfnesca" 1.-THE Three fates." ETC.

Copyright 1892 ey Macmillan Co.
CHAPTER XVII.
Gbisleri rose to meet his visitors, who greeted
him gravey and sat down opposite TO him 40 that
they could all look at his face while speaking.
Prisce Savelli naturally spoke first
ave have come to yOu." he said, upon very
difficult and unpleasant affair In the first place,
7 must hog YOU to listen to what I have to say
as calmly az you can remembering that we have
not come here to quarrel with you, but to act on
behalf Of ladg This being the case. we claim
to be treated as ambassadors, to be heard and TO
be answered"
you speak as though you were about to MAXI
n very disacreeable communication answered
Ghisleri "T1e presence of Signor Grondona either
shows that you intend to make use Of what l
may say. or that your business is Of legal ma
Sure. II the latter suppostion is the true one.
il would be much better that we should leave the
whole matter to our respective lawyers rather
Ahan run the risk of useless discussion But II
vour lawyer is here TO watch me and make notes
Y would lpoint out that have right TO resent
such observation, and to request you to ma some
other means Of informing me of your meaning
As YOU tell me that you are acting for lady,
however, and claim personal immunity, so to say,
for yourselves. l am willing to listen to you ana
20 consider what you say as proceeding from her
and not from you. But in no case have you any
claim TO be answered That is the most can DO
toward helping you with your Grand Judge for
Yourselves whether you will execute it or not"
II will certainly not go away without saying
what have come to say" replied Saveli fixing
his bripht. spectacled eyes upon Ghisleri's face.
ave are here to represent Donna Adele Savelli-
lot that be understood, if YOU please. She wishes
YOU to hand over to us a certain letter. OF the
nature OF a confession, which you found at Gerano
about two years and half ago, and which you
still hold
Ghisleri was less surprised than might have
been expected. His face grew slowly pale Us he
listened steadily returning the speakers gaze
1T promised you personal immunity from the
consequences Of what you were about to say, he
answered slowly. I" It was rash promise. find,
but will keep it. You may inform Donna Adele
Saveli that although it is commonly said in the
world that she has actually lost such letter as
YOU mention. have never seen it, nor have L
any knowledge of its contents. Further, de-
mand, as a right, to be told upon what imaginary
evidence she ventures to bring SUCH an outrageous
accusation against me-"
The Advocate Grondona smiled, but the two
noblemen preserved an unmoved manner OF the
two. Gerano was the more surprised by Ghisleris
answer. He had believed that a letter really
existed and was in the latter's hands, but that
IL would not prove to have the Importance his
daughter attached to it, Prince Savclli produced
bundle of papers from his pocket
al am quite prepared" he said. al will state
nv dauehter-in-law's case as accurately as can,
and as nearly as possible in her own words,
great part Of which have here, In the form OF
notes"
1T Is understood that Donna Adele Savelli is
speaking, gentlemen. On that understanding you
have my permission to proceed. will not inter-
rupt YOU"
savelli began to speak. and as he had promised.
he stated the case as he had heard it from Adele
and. on the whole very much as she had summed
il I'D in her own mind before going to him.
Ghisleri sat with folded arms and bent brows,
listening to the wonderfully connected chain of
false testimony she brought against him with all
the courage and calmness he could command.
"Have you done % he inquired in a voice shak-
ing with anger when Savclli had finished.
"Yes" answered the latter coolly. 81 believe
that is ALL
"Then I have to say that more vilanous
calumny was never invented to ruin any man.
Good morning, gentlemen He rose and the
three others were obliged to rise also.
And 30 you positively refuse to give up the
letterpn INQUIRED Savelli there was an angry
light in his eyes. too.
II have given you my answer already. Re
good enough to convey it to Donna Adele Savcll"
Are you aware, Signor," said the lawyer
stepping in front Of his two clients. that upon
such evidence as we possess you are liable to be
indicted for an attempt to extort money from the
Princess Adele Savelli?"
"You are not privileged, like these gentlemen"
said Ghisleri white to the lips. "If you venture
TO speak again my servant will silence YOU
have already limited that this interview is ended"
he added to Savelli and Gerano.
The three went out in silence and left him alone
With characteristic GOODNESS he sat down to re-
cover from the violent shock he had sustained
and to reflect upon his future conduct, before
sending for Ubaldini and consulting with him
He had almost expected the demand to restore
q document he did not possess, but he was not
prepared for the well-constructed story by which
SaVelli. Gerano and their lawyer had been per-
suaded Of his guilt. The lawyers words had placed
the whole affair in q light which showed how
thoroughly convinced the men were of the Justice
of their accusation. and Ghisler understood we'll
enough that Savelli intended to take legal steps
What those steps might he, Pietro had not the
least idea He rang for Bonifazio and sent him
out to buy the Penal Code. II was probably tn"
wisest thing he could do under the circumstances,
rs he did not even know whether. II lie were
arrested, he should be admitted to bail or not
He saw well enough that an order Tor his arrest
might very possibly be issued. Grondona was far
too grave and learned lawyer to have uttered
such a threat in vain. and was not the man to
waste time or words when action was possible.
II he had spoken as he had, he had done so for
his clients advantage, in the hope that Ghisleri
might be frightened at the last minute into giving
up the letter. In that way all publicity and
scandal could have been avoided
But IL was clear that the die was cast. and that
war was declared. More than ever he was glad
that Laura Arden was not in Rome. The thought
that If she were present she would necessarily
have to follow the course Of events little BY little,
as he must himself, and the certainty that she
knew the truth and would feel the keenest sym