The sun., 1895-03-03
CHRONICLES
OF
COUNT ANTONIO.
BY ANTHONY HOPE,
or" Prisoner or zsnan.- re.


COUNT ANTONIO AND THE HERMIT or the VAULT
Among the stories concerning tho Count An.
tonic which were told 20 me In answer TO my
questioning and whereof have rejected many
as being no better than Idle tales there was one
that met me often, and yet seemed strange and
impossible to believe, for II was said that he had
during tho time OF his outlawry once spent sew
,ral days In tho vault OF the Pescbelti, and
suffered things that pass understanding.
This vault lies hard by the Church OF Sc.
John the 1heoogian, in the suburbs Of Bazatosts,
on the banks OF tho river, md the Peschelti
had n palace hard by and were family OF high
nobility aud allied by blood 20 the house Of
Monte Velluto. But could find no warrant for
the story OF Antonios soiourn in the vault. and.
although many insisted that the tale was true,
yet they could not tell how or why the Count
came to bc in the vault, until at length found
an aged woman who had heard tho truth from
her grandmother, and sho made me acquainted
with the story, flowing on me n flood of garrul-
ous gossip. from which have chosen as much
concerns the purpose. and here set II down,
for believe it to no true, and I would omit
nothing that touches the Count, so can be sure
that what write Is based on truth.
When Count Antonio had dwelt in the hills
for tho space OF three years and five months 1t
chanced that Cesare. last OF the Peschelti. died.
and he made u will on his deathbed whereby he
bequeathed to Count Antonio his 10 nds and also
store of money and many ornaments OF gold
and jewels, for Antonio's mother had been of
the house of tho Peschelt and Cesare loved
Antonio. although he had not dared to give him
countenance for fear OF the Dukes anger; yet,
knowing that ho was dying, he bequeathed
everything to him. for tho Dukes wrath could
not hurt a dead man. And. so soon as he was
dead. his steward, Giuseppe. sent secretly and
in haste to Antonio, saying: MY lord. you can
not take the lands the house; but. II you
will be wise. come quickly and take tho
money and the Jewels, for | hear that his
Highness tho Duke, declaring that an outlaw has
right, and can inherit nothing, will send and
seize tho treasure" Now Antonio. though
Rrieved at the death OF Cesare, was glad to hear
of the treasure, for no was often hard put to it
TO maintain his company and those who de-
pended on him for bread. So he pondered
anIiously how no might reach tho palace OF the
Peschelti and lay hands on the treasure and
return safely. for at this time Duke Valentine
had posted above a hundred Of his guard in the
plain. and this troop watched all the approaches
to the hills that the band could not ride forth
in a body unless It were prepared to do battle
with the guards. Nor did Antonio desire to
weaken the band lest the guards, learning that
tho bravest wero away, should dare
Attack. Therefore ho would not take Tom
masino nor Bena nor any of the stout
est with him: but he took four young men who
lad come to him from Fornioa, having fallen
into the Dukes displeasure through brawling
with his guards Those he mounted on good
horses. and, having made n circuit TO avoid the
encampment in the plain, he came to Cesare's
house on the day before that appointed for the
funeral. Giuseppe came to meet him and led
him whore the dead man lay. and. after tho
Count had gazed on his face and kissed his fore
head. they two went to tho treasury, and
Giuseppe delivered the treasure to Antonio. and
Antonio made him a present Of value and con-
frmed him in his stewardship. although it was
not likely that the Duke would suffer him to
hold any power, inasmuch his Highness had
declared his intention Of forfeiting the estate
into his own hand.
Now 1t chanced that one OF the young men,
being regaled with wine drank very freely. and
began to talk loud and boastfully of his masters
achievements as the servants sat under the trees
IN front of the house: and there was with him Q
certain tailor. a lame man, who had furnished
mourning garments for the funeral. The tailor.
learning that Antonio was come said nothing
and seemed not to hear nor understand the
talk; but at early moment
he took his departure, and straightway hobbled,
IS fast as his lame leg would let him, to the
syndic of Baratesta, very busy and ambitious
fellow who longed greatly to win the Dukes
favor. And tho tailor set the price OF five pieces
of gold and the ordering of new gown on tho
news he brought, and the syndc, having agreed.
the tailor cried: " Antonio OF Monte Velluto is
at the house OF the Peschelti, and his band Is not
with him. IL you hasten you, may catch him."
AT this the syndc was very greatly delighted,
for the Dukes commissarlcs were not to arrive
TO take possession of the house in his name till
the morrow, by which time Antonio would be
gone; and the syndc rubbed his hands, saying:
" II can take him my glory will be great, and
the gratitude OF his Highness also"
And ne gathered together oil his constAbles,
aud hard upon twenty discharged soldiers who
dwelt in the town, and the fifteen men OF the
Dukes who were stationed at Baratesta to
gather his Highnesss dues; and thus with a
force Of about fifty men he set out in great haste
for the house of the Peschelti, and was almost
come there before little boy ran to Giuseppe
crying that the syndIc and all tho copstables
and many besides were coming to the house. |
And Giuseppe. who had but three men servants
of an age TO fight tho other five being old Qor
Cesare had loved to keep those who served him
well. even when their powers grew less than
their wllD, and perceiving that Antonio's four
were young and untried, hastened to the Count
with the news, saying: Yet, weak as We are,
we can die for you, my lord"
Heaven Forbid" said Antonio. looking out |
OF the window. "Aro they all townsmen that
come with this syndic?"
Alas, no. my lord. There arc certain of tho
Dukes men. and see among the rest men who
have spent their days under arms. either in his
Ii ghness's service or in free companies"
"Then," said Antonio smiling, unless I am
TO share Cesare's funeral. had best be gone.
And | have seen too much fighting to bo
ashamed TO run away from It,"
" But, my lord, they are at tho gates"
4" And is there no other gate 7"
" None, my lord. save the little gate in the
wall there; and see, the synd!c has posted ton
mon there"
And he will search tho house?"
- fear that he will, my lord, for he must
have tidings of your coming"
"Then where is my horse ?" said Count An
tonic, and Giuseppe showed him where tho
horse stood in the shadow OF the portico. DO
not let him know" added Antonio. that the |
young men are of my company, and send them
away in safety"