The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-12-07

and amongst them was Machiavelli, who
glanced at me with friendly twinkle IN his
eye, and gave me an impcrccptible nod Of
approval. Almost Immediately behind him
was old Ives d'Alegrcs, riding with Q bolt
In his bcar.likc manner, TO Lady Angola,
who rode beside him. There was no avoid.
ing them, and yielding 10 q sudden impulse
! saluted as they came up. A look Of
contempt spread over the features Of the
general, who made no response, and Ma
donna Angola kept her eyss fixed before
her, ns u she had seen nothing. They
passed by in q moment. leaving me speech.
less with anger, for, owing 10 my failure
to preserve q disguise, l had allowed my
beard 10 grow again, and D'Alegrcs without
doubt recognized me. There was some ex.
cuse perhaps for him; but none ! could
thi,.k Of for her. and, TO add to my chagrin,
l thought that Jacopo would probably
| waste hours In awaiting her return. ] let
my horse out TO o hand gsllop, notwith.
standing the pavement, and luckily doing
no injury 10 any Of the passers.by or to him,
pulled up In a few minutes at the door Of
my ordinary. Here, although tried to eat.
! was 90 angry that could only trifle with
my food, and, raging within myself, drank
a full measure Of wine, swallowed such NOR.
sells M ! could, and went to see after my
horse. by my directions he had a light feed,
and was being rubbed down. As provision
against accidents, l purchased bottle Of
Chianti, together with a roast fowl and a
loaf Of white bread, and these placed in
my saddlc.bags. Then. seeing TO the sad
ding Of the horse myself. exchanged my
| velvet cap for the steel helmet. and draw.
ing my sword.belt in by u hole, sprang into
the saddle, and went on at lcisurcly pace
towards the San Frediano gate. There was
still plenty Of time, 80 made no hurry, and.
indeed. when reached the gate, the gong
there doomed out five o'clock, leaving q
half hour still TO spare before Jncopo was
due. l pulled up therefore at the side OF the
road, and dsmounting, led my horse up
and down. II was whilst thus engaged that
! noticed n priest, mounted on smart cob,
| trotting in the direction Of the gate. and
knowing that a misfortune and frinr nrs
| seldom apart, l observed him narrowly ar
| he passed. lie drew his cowl. however, over
| his face, 80 that I could make nothing Of
him; but. on reaching the gate, he stopped
| 70 ask some questions Of the sentry there,
| and tie man, In raising his hand 10 salute,
| slightly startled the horse, which threw
| back its head. This sudden movement made
| the hood the rider wore fall back little,
| but it was enough to enable me to see it
was the library scribe, old Ccci's nephew;
| and I augurcJ no good from this, resolving
nevertheless to be on my guard more than
ever. Tho pretended priest received an
answer to his inquiry, and, giving his bcnc.
! dicton, in true sacrtdotal manner, rode of
| nj a pace that showed his scat on the library
stool had not ntcrfcrcd with his seat in
the saddle. II was now fully the half hour,
and yet Jncopo did not come. ] waited un'
| I'll the gong struck six, and was just about
to ride OF. leaving message with tho guard.
when l saw him approaching.
make haste" ] cried, as I mounted ;
| you are late"
"I'arion. cxccllcncyl But tho lady was
not there. / had TO wait n full hour be.
fore she came back from riding. and Gen.
| d'hlegrcs was with her"
Did you give the packctf"
| 81 did. cxcellcncy. rode up. asked who
Lady Angola was, and presented the
packet, saying II was from Cavaliere di Sa'
yclli, my master"
"Oh, glorious fooll Did I not tell you
my name was Donatif Did not tell you
to say nothing, but merely give the packet
into the lady's hands"
|
30 many about, my wits almost went a
wool.gathciing. gave madame the packet.
however, and she took it."
Said anything!"
| Nothing, excellcncy--ncvcr . word"
| There was no use crying over split milk,
and cursing Jacopo in my heart for mud
dlc.hcadcd fool, we started off. On reach.
ing the sentry, l thought might as well
try and find out what the sham friar was
looking for. The man raised his hand In
salute as came up. and flinging him crown
] badc him drink to the health Of the Sig.
nory Herewith.
| Marry! ] will with pleasure. and yours.
too, cxccllcncy." he said, as he pocketed the
money, evidently stirred by the amount.
Instead Of mine, drink to the health OF
my good friend, the monk, who has just
gone on. Can you tell inc II he inquired ior
anyone hcrc"
relied on the simplicity OF the man, and
OH taking him by surprise with the ques'
tion, and as II happened hit my mark.
"ln truth, cxccllency, the reverend IA
thcr inquired about a party Of five horse
men. who took this road TO Lcghorn about
four o'clock this afternoon. lie doubted
much II be could overtakc them ERE night.
full. he said, and would have to ride hard"
! poised another crown on my fingers, alb
scntly. "Do you know any Of tho party
who went ahead"
"No, sxcellcncy; but their leader was an
old man with long white beard, and
think heard him Addressed ns Ccci. Ex.
cellcncy, the vino will ilow to.nisht-a hun.
drcd thanks"
dropped the crown into his palra. NOV
ing him to his closing words.
| "Conic OF, Jacopo. II grows late" and,
setting spurs to our horses. we rode ut a
gallop.