Willmar tribune., 1899-07-19
tConraght. 1895. by D. Appleton & Co.
All rights reserved.l
CHAPTER XXIu.-CoNr1N11En


Il ought to have told you" l said, II have
found it, 49,
'Nhere?"
I'm the garden-in shreds and tatters."
he became suddenly very SILENT and so
We finished our meal. All that dav rest
ed, more for the horses sake than nv own.
and be sure l did not fail to make fire.
quent inquiry of Angiola's condition, hear
ing each time she was better, and would
certainly see me on the morrow. Whilst
lay resting, my mind was active. l cast
up the time l had left at my disposal. !
still had four clear days to carry out nv
mission, and to make my plans to intercept
Bozardo. But after my departure in Pc
rugia | had need for extra care, and could
not afford to throw away an hour of tho
four days that were left to me. There were
many points to think Of Bozardo would 10
doubt be strongly escorted, and if the 49,
600 ducats he had with him were in gold.
they would be difficult to carry away, and
would be great temptation to my men,
could answer for Jacopo and Bande Mere;
OF course st. Armande was beyond susp-
clon, my doubts of him were at rest; but
for the others? They might or might not
yield to temptation. If they did yield, af-
fairs would be serious indeed l deliber-
ated long and carefully, making up my mind
te adopt the following course. Tremouille
was tSlt few miles from me. Iwould see
him. tell of the enterprise which D. 'Amboise
had lntrusted to me, and ask him to send
a troop, or some trusted men, to whom
l could hand over the money in case sue
ceeded. If he could send these men on to
Sassoferrato, | meant to ambuscade on the
banks OF the Misa, make dash at Bozardo
there, and, if all went well, they could re-
ceive the money in few hours, and relieve
me of that anxiety. OF course, Tremouille
might refuse to see me; he might even do
worse; but would give him the chance
and accept the risk.
When | came to think of it, it was hard
ly possible that he was unacquainted with
the cardinals design, and could form no
better plan than the one l had resolved
upon. l would have to deny myself the
pleasure of seeing Angola on the morrow,
but the four days gave me no margin The
days repose did me much good, and, after
supper, which we took about six o'clock,
ordered Castor to be saddled. St. Armande
looked surprised, but l wasted no words,
telling him briefly that was bound on
business, and that on my return we should
have toAnake an immediate start Irefused
all offer of companionship, and shortly after
Castor and l were galloping through the
glow of late sunset to the camp of Ire
mouille.
l skirted the shores Of Trasimene, the
road being easier there, and, as I went on.
could not help wondering to myself what
manner of reception would have from the
duke. Good or bad, was determined to
Gee him, and I soon caught sight of the line
of tents, cresting the hills that overhun2
the de6e where Hannibal caught the Ro
mans. The tents were soon lost to view.
in the gray of the coming night. One by
one the camp fires began to light the hills;
the mist that rises here after sundown en-
veloped Inc, and, slackenlng speed, let
Castor pick his way up an ascending road,
covered with loose stones, and cut into ruts
and issures. In awhile came to an out
post, and, at once challenged by the SEN
try, and surrounded by the picket. I ex-
planned that was from Rome to see the
duke, and could not possibly give the pass
word. The officer of the watch replied that
this was my affair, not his, and that would
have to remain here until the morning, or
until field officer inspected the posts, in
which case he would take his orders. There
was no help for it, and resigned myself to
circumstances, with an impatient heart. So
an hour or two passed, which beguiled by
discourse with the subaltern, telling him
of Rome (he was cadet of the house of
Albani), and hearing petty items of news
in return, the chief of which was that the
Seigneur de Bayard had returned to the
camp. Even as he said this, we heard the
deep bay of hound, and recognized Bran's
throat
"Per Bacco! It is Bayard himself going
the grand rounds" exclaimed the subaltern,
springing to his feet, and giving the order
for the men to stand at attention. In a
few minutes we heard the sound of horses
hoofs, the sharp clink of steel scabbards,
and half-dozen horsemen rode up. As
they approached, Castor neighed in recogni-
tion of his twin brother; and an answering
call showed that Pollux knew the greeting,
and gave it back. The hound, too, came up,
and, raising on his hind feet, fawned a
welcome TO me. made myself known to
Bayard at once.
"Ciel!" he said, you are the last man
expected to meet, and you want to see the
duke; come with me then"
On our way told him of the success of
my attempt to free Angola.
"We have just heard of il" he said, "and
it has gone far:in your favor. In fact, Nine.
de la Tremouille, who.i is back again. could
speak of nothing else at supper this even
ing. 1t was brave deed, and envied your
luck, cavalere."
I told him of my plan, inquiring if he
thought Tremouille would give me the as
sistance l wanted. pointing out that the
movement of any troops, where l wanted
the detachment to go, could not possibly be
taken as breach of the truce.
"As for the truce" he made answer, ut
ia in the air. The king has really left Ma.
con at last. It is said that the advance
guard under the Seneschal of Beaucaire has
already crossed the Ombrone. TremouilIe
cannot possibly refuse, and here we are"
We pulled up to the entrance of large
pavilion, out of whose open door broad
band of light streamed into the night.
Follow me-" said Bayard, and ! did so,
the guards saluting respectfully. 40 We en-
tered. ~ = y -" o. r.
I had not time to look about me, but saw
that Tremouille, who was in his armor,
was pacing up and down the, tent, with his
limping gait, and debating a dispatch to,
his secretary. He stopped short in his walk,
and. greeting Bayard cheerfully, looked at
me with grave surprise. r., -.
This is NJ. di Savelli," said Bayard. t'He
has business of such importance with your
excellency, that have taken it upon my
self to bring him here" =:
The duke glanced at me keenly, the thin
lines of bis lips closing together. =
Are you aware of the risk you run by
coming to my camp?" he asked. ~.,'>%
am perfectly aware. your exceuency.
but"
''You must either be a fool, or a very
brave man" he interrupted. -.
II lay claim to neither honor, my lord,
and fako fho risi will xo, hoa - no 2,, 80