The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-11-17


tain. This is private door leading to the
corridor, and, confound tit is open. How
the devil did this happen! However. this
will make things sure" He turned the key
which was in the lock. and. removing it,
placed it carefully aside in a drawer, and his
face was shaded little with anxiety. This.
however, he brushed of like 4 Hy. and. re-
Stunning our seats, he poured out some more
wine for both of US. and said:
"Signore, now that observe you closely,
it appears to me that your sword, good "a
it is. has not helped you to fill your purse"
II was able to save your life. Messer-l
know not your name." I answered, with q
little heat, and rose AZ If to take my leave.
He laughed cheerfully, and, putting his
hand on my shoulder. pressed me back into
my chair.
''Sit down. signore, | meant no offense,
and my name is Niccolo Machiavelli. Will
you give me yours in return?"
! was, then, before the secretary of the
Council of Ten, the crafty politician who at
that time held Florence in his hand, and
with whose name all Italy was full. | now
understood Ceci's plot at once, but the
question was, should give my right name:
Sooner or later the secretary would find out.
and accordingly answered him as honestly
as possible.
81 pass under the name of Donati, your ex-
cellency; will that doy'
He leaned back reAectively. II like con-
fidence when ] give it," he said. "and yet
perhaps it does not matter. You had no idea
who was when you helped me?" he added,
with quick look.
"Not the slightest" did not feel justi-
fed in adding more.
swell, Signore Donati, have work for
which want brave man, and if you care
to accept it l offer it to you"
"Your excellency, / will plainly say that
hardly know where to turn for employ
n,ent; in fact, am in such straits that can
not afford to look for a hair in any egg that
may fall my way; at the same time your
business must be such as can take with
honor"
with honor, of course" he smiled sar-
castically, and then added: 81 suppose l
can trust your
'You need not give me employment, sig
and pardon met is getting late"
"Sit down, man. did it but to try you,
and you are the man want. Where do you
lodgeT
"In the Albizzi palace. in the street di
Pucci."
Gould you leave Florence at a moment's
notice.?
ct is matter of funds"
''They will be provided"
'Then, yes"
Enough! Tomorrow a man will call on
you, precisely at noontide, with letter.
want that letter delivered into the hands of
the cardinal of Rouen at Rome. It is Sc
cret matter, and if you fail in it you may for
felt your life. If you succeed, his eminence
will give you further occupation. Do you &C
eept"
eyes"
As said this we again heard the creaking
noise, and Machiaveli jumped up as agilely
as panther, and sprung to the door behind
the arras. 1t was open; but no one was
there.
"Maldetto!" he exclaimed. "Signore,
there are spies in my own house-help me
to tear down this tapestry"
did SO, and in a few minutes we laid bare
the side of the room, and piled the tapestry
in heap against a bookshelf.
"That is BETTER" Machiavelli said, "you
see-the spy, whoever he is, must have a
master key. There is no use going into the
passage after him; but for the present l
on and keep a watch. To resume business,
however. You say you accept, and only
need funds"
Exactly So"
He pulled from drawer bag, which
chinked with pleasant sound to my ears.
Here" he said, ARE hundred crowns
1t is your fee for the task set YOU"
at is ample"
"And now, Messer-Donati-fa FAREWELL
You will always find friend in me. You
know your way-l have left the side door
open-and bear a loose sword"
"A word, your excellency."
"Say on"
"From what has happened tonight, see
plainly that the plctters against your life
have friends very near you. If they failed
this time they may not fail again. One of
the men who made the attack tonight rec
ognized. He is called Brico, formerly an
ancient, perhaps still so, in the army of Ire.
mouille."
Il will attend to the Signor Brico."
'@Yet little more. If your excellency's
movements are known it is probably from
within your own house. would keep an eye
on your library scribe"
"Per Bacco! Signor Donati, but you know
too much. l am more and more your
debtor"
''The hundred crowns have repaid me-"
replied, as took my departure, having said
all dared say of the plot without breaking
my pledge of secrecy to Cec.
tTo BE Continued