The Washington times., 1895-03-03
Chronicles Of CoUnt Antonio
of
Copyright 5byA Anthony Hope
CHAPTER VI.

AOON4 ANl0AlO AMI III 11l@nht
OF THE VAULT.
Among the stories concerning the Count
Antonio which were told to me in answer to
mg questioning, and whereof i have re-
jected 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
the time OF his outawry, once spent several
days in the vault Of the Peschelti, ard
there suffered things that pass human
understanding.
This vault les hand by the Church of st.
John, the Theologian, in the suburbs OF
Baratesta, on the banks of the river, and
the Peschelti had a palace hard by, ard
were family of high nobility and allied by
blood to the house of Monte Velluto. But
could find no warrant for the story IF An
tonio's sojoum in the vault, and, although
many insisted that the tale was true, yet
they could not tell how or why The count
came TO be in the vault. until at length l
found an aged woman who had heard the
truth Of tie matter from her grandmother,
and she made me acquainted with the story,
flowing on me flood OF garruloHs gossip,
from which have chosen as much as con-
germs the purpose, ana here / set il down,
for believe il 10 be true, and i would
omit nothing that touches the eOaut so
can be sure that what / write IS l2sed on
truth
When Count Antonio had dwelt in the
hills for tie space OF three years and five
months il Glanced that Cesare, last of the
Peschelti, died, and he made a will on
his deathbcd whereby he beQueathed 10
Count Antonio his lands ana also store
Of money and qany ornaments of gold
and jewels. for AntOnio's mother had been
OF the house OF the Peschelu, and Cesane
loved Antonio, although he had not dared
TO give HIM countenance for fear of the
dukes anger; yet, knowing that lie was
dying, he beQueatbed everything 10 him,
for the dukes wrath could not hurt a dead
man. And. so soon as lie was dead. his
steward, Giuseppe, sent secretly and in
haste TO Antonio, saying: My lord,
you cannot take the lands or the house; but,
if you viii be wise, come quickly and take
the money and the jewels, for / hear that
his highnesS The duke, declaring that an
outlaw has no right, and can inherit moth
ing. VIII send and seize the treasure"
Now Antonio, though greyed at the
death of Cesare. was glad TO hear of the
treasure. for he was often hard put TO it
to maintain his company and those who
depended on him for bread So he pom
dered anXiousIy how he might reach the
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, so that the band could not ride forth
in body unless il was prepared TO do battle
with the guards Nor did Antonio desire
to weaken the band, lestthe guards, learning
that the braYest were away, should dare
an attack Therefore he would not take
Tommasino nor Bena nor any OF the stout
est with him; but he took four young men
who had come from Forniola, having fallen
into the dukes displeaSure through wiling
with his guards. Those he mounted on good
horses, and, having made q circuit Il avoid
the enCampment in the plain, ne came TO
Cesare's house on the day before That ap-
pointed for the funeral Giuseppe came to
meet him and led him where the dead man
lay and. after the count had gaZed on his
face and kissed his forehead, they Two went
TO the treasury, and Giuseppe delivered the
treasure 10 Antonio. and Antonio made hlm
a present OF value and confirmed him in his
stewardship, although il was not likely that
the duke would suffer him to hold any power,
5nasmuch as his highness had declared his
intention offorfeitng the estate into his own
hand
Now it Glanced 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 certain tailor, a
lame man. who had furnished mourning
garments for the funeral. The tailor, learn
ing that Antonio was come. said nothing
and seemed to hear nor understand the
drunken youths talk; but at an early mo-
ment took his departure. and straightway
h0bbled as fast as his lame leg would let
him. to the syndiC of Baratesta. a very busy
and ambitious fellow, who longed greatly
to win the dukes favor. And the tailor
set the price OF five pieces Of gold and the
ordering Of a new gown on the news he
brought and the syndic. having agreed, the
tabor cried. Antonio, OF Monte Velluto,
is at the house OF the Peschelti. and his band
is not with him. II you hasten youmay catch
him" AT this the syndic was very greatly
delighted. for the dukes commissaries were
not 10 arrive to take possession OF the house
in his name till the morrow, by which time
Antonio would be gone: and the syndic rubbed
his hands saying: IF can take him my
glory VIII be great, and the gratitude of
his highness also
And he gathered together all his con-
stables and hard upon twenty discharged sol !
dieTs who dwelt in the town and the fif-
teen men OF the dukes who were stationed at |
Baratcsta TO gather his highness dues, !
and thus with a force Of about fifty men
he set out in great haste for the house of
the Peschelt. and was almost come there |
before a little boy ran to Giuseppe crying
that the syndic and all the constables and
many besides were coming to the house,
And Giuseppe, who had but three men |
servants OF an age to fight, the other five
being old, for Cesare had loved TO keep l
those who served him well, even when their
powers grew less than their Will, and per
/
and untried, wrung his hands and hastened |
to the count with the news, saying: Yet, |
weak as we are we can die for You, my lord.
Heaven forbidi'' said Antonio, looking |
out OF the window. Are they all towns |
men that come with this syndic?"
Alas, no. my lord. There are certain |
OF the dukes men, and ] see among tie |
rest men who have spent their days under |
arms, either in his highness' service or IN |
free companies"
Then" said Antonio, smiling, ''unless |
] am to share Cesare's funeral, / had best |
be gone. And have seen too much fight |
ing to be ashamed TO run away from IT..
But, my lord, they are at the gates.
"And is there no other gate?"
''None, my lord, save the little gate in /
the wall there; and see, the syndic has posted /
ten men there"
And he win search the house?"
q fear that he VIII, my lord, for he must |
have tidings OF your coming" I
Then where is my horse?" said Count /
Antonio, and Giuseppe showed him where |
the horse stood in the shadow of the por |
tico. DO not let him know" added An |
tonic, "that the young men are OF my com /
panv. and send them away in safety"
But what do you, my lord?" cried Giu-
Eeppe.
.'What have done before, Giuseppe. I /
ride for life,'' answered the count.
Then the count, delaying no more, ran |
lightly down the stairs, leaped on his horse, |
and. drawing his sword, rode forth from the /
porico, and he was among the syndic scom- /