Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-03-22

nave some swords at your back. lake them
with you; but better not go at all. All!
l see my new master, the Camulengo, look
ing towards me-be wise and do not CO.,
and Corte moved off to where the Cardinal
Ascanio Sforze was seated, surrounded by
little group of courtiers ard priests.
who is that mani" askel st. Armande.
Il met him under circumstances too long
to tell you here" said; Some other day
you may hear all about him. We will, how.
ever, take his advice, and meet Don Michel
otto with an extra sword or so at our
backs" So saying took his arm, and we
strolled through the apartments, where
everyone appeared to be giving full rein
to his fancy. In fact, the beginning of IN
orgie had set in. Alexander, apparently re-
covered from the shock of meeting with his
son, was at the gaming table, playing
heavily, with Giulia Bella at his side. Bay
ard and Gonsalvo de Cordova were engaged
in earnest converse with each other, and
Strigonia and D'Amboise were cracking a
fask Of wine. heard D'Este say as we
passed him: ut is adieu to your eminence
after tonight. am sheep fat enough
for the shambles, and must look to my
throat and my fleece"
"You would be wise, Strigonia," DAM
boise made answer; eff the shield of
France did not cover me, would not be
here another hour. But it is an i'll thing
to lose comrade such as you"
ITO better times" and the prelate who
could only eat drained his glass to the pre-
late who could both eat and think.
We now began to hurry little, and found
that Corte was right, for the soldiers who
had lined the passage inside the Bronze
gates had taken themselves off, and q con-
siderable number of servants and follow
ratical raids on the supper tables.
Outside, however, everything was in or
der, for DE Leyva was thorough soldier.
cursing their luck at being on the guards,
and attacking . eapon which they were
washing down with copious draughts of
side, and it was poor supper they were
gether on the steps of the vatican.
"What! out already, cavalere?" asked
De Brioonnet. "Is the cardinal going"
"No, but there is little business an.
swered, as I called Jacopo.
"Nom du diablel Can not Gomez"
ut would be relaxation" said De Leyva
thank you. Here, Jacopoi Get three Of
our fellows and follow me. Tell the Others
to hold their horses"
steps, having harked back, we were in the
Papal gardens. The casino or summer. house
Of the pope was in full light, and we directed
our steps there without difficulty. made
two of our men walk in front, Jacopo and
khA srI ind rxyr, nod in
the middle. Strict orders were given te
have swords ready, and to use them al
once.
Except for the moonlight, the garden.
themselves were not illuminated, and al
We tramped along the paths I thought t.
myself how easy it would have been fol
Michelotto to have got rid of both st. Ar
mande and myself, if we had been fool
enough to 60 without escort.
Nothing happened. We reached thu
casino and waited there full hour; bu
there was no sign Of Michelotto.
At last I lost patience.
He never meant to Cross q sword will
You, chevalier. lean bear witness you wer'
here, and kept tryst. We have escaped ,
felon's blow, together. Come back-it i
| getting late-even for his eminence." w
tuIuedS 6uu Hauo Our way Udck, put ~ wa
good two hours before D. Amboise retired
Bayard had gone on long before, declinin,
Ill offers of escort. When we reached tn
palace we found he had arrived safely.
wished st. Armande good night, witt
more respect for him in my heart than
ever felt before, and turned to seek m.
apartments. Late as it was, however, Their
was to be no sleep for me, as De Briconnet
whose brain the Falerian had merely mad
more lively, insisted on accompanying me
and we split another flask, and talked Q
falconry till the verge of the morning.