The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-10-13
CHAPTER III.
NINE n'ENTR ANGLES

CHAPTER III.
NINE. D'ENTRANGUEs.
Walking down the Via San Dominica,
turned to the right by the Borgo di San
Vito, and here l was recognized and hooted.
Pressing hurriedly forwards, and aided op-
rortunely by the passage of body of men
at arms, coming through the street in a di-
rection opposite to that of my followers, l
succeeded in shaking off my tormentors,
and turning again to the right up a narrow
street, entered BARRIERS shop to have my
beard removed in order to disguise myself
as far as possible. The barber, fussy little
fellow, placed before ME a mirror of polished
steel, and as he set to work stropping a
razor on the palm of his hand, removed
my cap, and for the first time observed that
the hair of my head was thickly streaked
with gray.
"Your excellency has doubtless come to
Join the army" said the barber, in tone
Of inquiry, as he drew his razor across my
face.
"Ah, yes, yes; have just come" I replied,
and the little man went on:
"There have been great doings to-day.
IT'S said the duke has ordered the Count di
Savelli to be executed for having in his pos
session a favor of madame. They say the
count stole it, but we know better, don't
we, your excellency?" and the little fool
waiting for an answer. "Ah, yes; the ladies
can never resist us soldiers. may tell you
that I served with Don Carlo Bagiioni, and
can bear my pike-there now, think that
side is clean shaven-as l was saying before,
it was hard on the Marquis di Savelli, a gal
LIANT noble whom frequently saw-pardon,
your excellency, it is but scratch after all
had you not moved so suddenly, still only
o scratch, nothing for a soldier. The Mar
quis di Savelli, as said, was q regular Gus
toner of mine, and he had lovely head of
hair, your excellency. It was not 80 much
before took him in hand. Ecco! but in
month you should have seen! He came in
here in bis free, easy way, and flung me ten
crowns. Buy a ribbon for Madonna Giulia
with that, Messer Pazzi,' says he; and
harkee, send me over six more bottles of
your elixir of St. Symmachus. Maldetto!
he exclaimed, twisting his curls between his
fingers, but she adores me now Now
who, say, could she have been but-tchick?
Diavolo? it is done; never a cleaner shave in
Rome itself. If your exccllency's fortune
grows as we'll as your hair, could wish you
NO better luck"
1 rose in silence, and, finging him a crown,
babe him pay himself, and, receiving my
change, hurried out, declining all Messer
Pazzi's entreatics to bear with me bottle Of
his precious elixir Of St. Symmachus or any
other accursed balsam. l saw at glance
that the removal of my beard caused a con-
siderable alteration in my appearance, and
imagined if / could but change my attire my
most intimate friends would not know me
unless they observed closely; and even then
might perhaps fail to recognize me. This
view, as it turned out, was not quite cor
rect, and had yet to learn how difficult a
thing 1t is to arrange complete disguise.
A few doors further on l laid out some of
my money in the purchase of stout leather
buff coat, long, dark mantle, and cap to
match. The cap was ornamented with a
single black feather; and when I had donned
these garments felt that, wrapped in the
cloak, with the cap pulled well over my eyes,
and the feather standing defiantly out to the
side, I wanted but a fathom of sword
to make myself as ruf1ianly-looking a bravo
as ever trod the purlieus of Naples or Rome.
But the sword was some difficulty, for my
crowns had dwindled to 16. Fortunately l
had on my finger a sapphire ring, and this
pledged for 20 crowns, and made my way to
the armorer's. /. there selected a strong,
straight weapon, with plain cross handle
and a cutting blade, such as would be useful
IOG IOuSu WOAh, ANU oAsSA SoAAAS A~S6AAAASs
got it for ten pieces. The armorer assured
rue that it was q sound blade, and l may say
Il did me good service. II now hangs in my
hedchamber, little Clipped, it is true, but
~ bright and as fit for use as the day paid
for it, with heavy heart, in Don Piero' e
shop, near the gate of st. Lawrence In
Arezzo.
l began now to feel the want of food, for
beyond the cup of Chianti brought to me
by the under officer had tasted nothing
since yesterday evening, and therefore step.
ping into an ordinary called for fagon OF
wine and a pasty. Whilst engaged in as.
saulting these, half a dozen men, whom
recognized as belonging to the garrison, en-
tered the hostel, but to my joy saw l was
not known to them, and after a casual glance
al me they fell to eating their meal.
was, however, perforce compelled to lis
ten to their conversation, which was carried
on in the loud tone men of their class affect