Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-12


he chose. Jacopo had performed his task
well, and, bidding them keep their tongues
closed, I dismissed them with good night.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE RESCUE OF ANGOLA
The next day, as the big gun from the cita-
del doomed out the twelfth hour and all the
bells of the town changed forth the time, five
horsemen rode through the gate of st. An
gelo, whose doors were spread wide open.
The single sentry on duty paced sleepily up
and down; he was longing for his noontide
siesta, and the guard of half-score of Bag
lioni's lances lay with their armor of, bask
ing in the mellow sun. A subaltern officer,
who had evidently dined to some purpose,
reclined onNhis back, half in, half out of the
shade of few olive trees that grew to the
left of the gate, and the ruby on his cheeks
showed up all the brighter against the green
of the grass on which he was stretched. The
horsemen were myself and my four follow.
ers. We had taken the route went the day
before with Clan, and the plan had formed
was this: On my gaining admittance to the
house Jacopo and Bande Mere were to put
themselves at the door and engage the guard
there in conversation. Clan and the lackey
were to hold the horses. As soon a. ascer-
tanned the position of Angiola's room ]
would blow shrilly on a whistle had pur-
chased for the purpose. My men at the
door, who were armed with arquebuses -
well as their swords, would hold the passage,
and should try and account for the Cava-
liere Paolo and bear off the prize. If we
succeeded, we could easily make the gate,
and then, the road to St. Jerome lay open
before us. The fact that the attempt was
to be made in broad daylight, too, would be
a safeguard, as no one would deem that
such deed, usually done under cover of
night, WINS to be adventured at this hour.
had partly paved the way for my entrance
by my call of yesterday, and was provided
with sufficiently plausible story to keep
the cavaliere engaged, whilst took stock
of his surroundings. Jacopo, too, had been
carefully drilled as to how he was to an
nounce me, and the question resolved itself
into hard hitting, and little luck. ! had
dressed myself with particular care, wearing
my buff coat under gay jerkin, and short
velvet cloak hung from my shoulders. This
almost gala attire was to act as further
blind, and give all the appearance of a mere
visit of ceremony. There was, of course, the
possibility Of my being refused admittance,
and Of the Cavaliere Paolo declining to see
me; but this was not probable, and if it did
happen was ready for bold stroke, and
for this Bande Mere carried with him a
grenade with which to blow open the door.
AS it turned out, however, we had no diff
Guilty on this score. On reaching the house
through the caging of one of the windows
above, but it was almost Immediately with
drawn. Jacopo dismounted and knocked
firmly. The same performance, / have de-
scribed, of opening grating was gone
through, but on my name being mentioned
the porter shut his peep-hole, there was the
sound of the removal of a bar, the clank of
chains, and the door swung open with
sullen groan, disclosing hall, in which stood
two men, completely armed, their argue
buses at the ready in their hands, whilst the
doorkeeper himself, sturdy knave, stood
full in the entrance, swinging bunch of
keys.
Us the Cavaliere Paolo Baglioni within?"
asked, as / dismounted, taking it for
granted was to be received, from the prepa-
ration saw was made.
He is, signore-be pleased to follow"
With a warning glance to JacopoI stepped
in, finding myself in hall of middle size, the
walls discolored with age, and Clipped and
cracked in many places clearly the Casino
Baglioni needed repairs. At the end of the
hall was spiral staircase, whose stone
steps, worn to hollow in the middle by the
passing and repassing Of feet, marked its
great age. Up this narrow stairway fol-
lowed the man, until we reached corridor,
hung on each side with rusty suits Of ar
NOR and old and tattered banners. The
smell about it, as if no pure air ever came
that way. 1t was evident that the cavaliere
was on the alert, for man was on guard
here, armed like those below, with sword
and arquebus. To him my guide addressed
himself.
"He has come" he said, jerking his thumb
backwards at me.
sWell, announce him." said the sentinel
THAT is for you" answered the janitor,
II had enough of Pluto this morning." With
this he turned on his heel and ran back
downstairs, jingling his keys.
The sentry stood still, however, and after
| waiting for half minute spoke, my blood
rising little within me.
"Wll you be good enough to announce
the Cavaliere di Savelli-on an urgent af-
fair!
The man turned round to closed door be-
hind him, rapping at it with his mailed hand.
From inside heard a shutting noise, q
heavy body lurched against the door, and
there was scratching at the wood. No an
swer, however, came to the knock.
KNOCK again." said, little inpatient
~, and this time deep voice called out:
Enter" 81
I placed my hand on the door to open it,
when the sentry spoke with unexpected civ
lily;
1.-THE beast-what beast?" asked, pre-
tending not to know anything of Pluto's e1-
istence.
Ellis excellencys bsar-do not fear it.
else it might injure you-cospetto! But it il
q perfect fend If you run from it. It killed
poor woman the other day."
Thanks, friend, will beware" / an.
swered, and pushed open the door, spring
ing back yard as did SO, for with short
roar that echoed through the house a huge
bear rose on his hind legs and struck out Of
my face with his claws.
"Diavolol 60 back," shouted the sentr.
to the brute, and whipped out my sword;
but the animal merely stood in the oper
doorway, making no further advance, his
| great jaws open and putting like black
smiths bellows.
"Cospetto! excellency, call of the bear
shouted the sentry again; indeed he seemed
positively to hate the animal, and from in
side came low, deep-toned but mockinl
laugh. Come back, Pluto-down, yor
brute-down!" then there was heav,
"thud," the tinkling Of shivered glass, anc
the bear, dropping on its fore feet, shamblet
back into the room. I was considerably
startled and not little angry, but, conceal
ing these feelings, stepped boldly into tn,
room, keeping my drawn sword still in my
hand.
"The Cavaliere di Baglioni?" inquired
"At the Cavaliere di Savelli's service,
and tall figure rose from lounge chat
and surveyed me. ] confess that my hear
began to beat little fast when saw tn,
man against whom was to pit myself. b,
was far above the middle height, and pro
portionately broad. His grizzled hair, part
ed in the middle, hung down straightly t,
his neck, and thick gray beard and mus
tache hid his mouth and chin. A crue
hooked nose, almost Hebraic in shape, wa
set between pair of small and piercing
eyes. His complexion was deathly pale, AMI
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