Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-04-19

Ill SOlleWudC lOuu tones. EVen II ne does,
what does it matter? Cannot few gentle
men enjoy glass in peace at their ordinary:
If he gives trouble we can quiet him.
Could it be? Yes, it was no other than
the ancient Brico, who had. perceived, got
out of the clutches of his friends, the catch
polls of Montevarchi. made certain, there
fore, l would have business shortly, and,
leaning back again, pretended to doze, keep
ing my ears very wide open, and holding a
watch on the scoundrels from the tail of my
eye.
He tarrics late," said one, "perhaps your
information is wrong"
II have it from sure hand, from the young
or Ceci. Buonoccorsi and he will both be
here. The former, however, as you know,
we do not want"
l almost started at these words Was it.
possible that had stumbled on the braves
who were engaged in Cecis plot? If so,
stranger thing never happened to me, and
chance was probably throwing in my way
what otherwise | would never have been
able to discover. Even as the last speaker
finished his sentence, two persons, evidently
of consequence, and woman entered the
inn, and set themselves down at table
close to mine. The men both wore masks,
but the lady did not, and let her glance run
with free look on us ALL One of her two
companions, very stout man, put down his
mask, disclosing jolly, rubcund face, and
roared out for hagon of wine. The other.
still keeping his features covered, engaged
in lively badinage with his fair friend, and
as he moved his hand slightly caught the
flash of & valuable ring.
The five at the table all had their heads
together now, and saw the one nearest to
INC stealthily draw his sword. With an ap-
parently careless movement I so placed my
own weapon as to be at hand on the mo-
nent. Presently Brico arose, and, swagger.
ing across the room with glass in his hand,
deliberately stopped before the lady, and
drained it to her health. She laughed back
her appreciation, and Brico called out:
''Blood of king! Madonna, but you waste
yourself with His Corpulence there" and
he jerked his hand towards the stout man.
who sat speechless, his cheeks purple with
rage. "Come and join us good fellows here"
he added, and attempted to pass his arm
around her waist; but the masked stranger
flashed out his rapier, and Brico only es-
capped being skewered by an agile retreat.
This was, however, the signal for an instant
assault, and with shout OLA Medici-
palle-palle," those at the table rushed on
the smaller party. AS they rose, jumped
up, and pushed my table with great violence
in their direction. Two of the men fell over
it, and this gave me time to draw my sword
and join the weaker party. The lady rushed
out with scream, and the stout gentleman,
believing Justify for help, followed suit, the
attack being solely directed against the
masked man, who, with his back to the
wall, and the table between himself and his
assailants, defended himself with great spirit
and skill.
Slashing one of the rufians across the
face, which put him out Of the fight, /
ranged alongside of the stranger, and very
pretty set-to ensued. At this juncture the
innkeeper entered with half-a-dozen others,
and kept dancing about, adjuring lis to stop,
but offering no help. made for Brico, but
could not reach him, having to engage with a
better swordsman than had met for many
day; but saw we were now three to two,
for the ancient was more bent on executing
fourishes with his sword, and in cheering on
the attack, than on real business. My oppon-
cnt was a left-handed man, so anything like
a time-thrust was out of the question. He
played the usual game of left-handed men,
namely, cut over, and disengagement in
tierce, but, remising, forced him to
a straight riposte, and pinked him through
the ribs. He fell with a howl, just as my
companion ran his man through. We were
now two to two, if Brico was included, but
the others waited for no more and fled, no
attempt being made to stay them by the
host. The inkeeper, however, began to
make great to-do; but the stranger thrust a
purse in his hand, and, lifting his mask,
spoke few words in mine hosts ear. The
effect was magical, and the padrone was now
all civAity. We had look at the two men
who were down, the one who was slashed
across the face being nowhere to be seen.
They were both quite dead, and an ill-look-
ing pair of corpses did they make.
"Have these carrion removed, padrone-
and beware how you say word of what
has happened, signore," and the masked
man held his hand out to me: II thank you
heartily and you will find l have long
memory. Do me the favor to accompany me
to my house."
had no reason to refuse, and, bowling my
acknowledgements, we left the inn.