The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-11-30


engaged In conversation with . man. Tho
latter started when he saw me, and hurried.
ly took his departure, but not before ] rec.
ognzcd In him Ceci's nephew, and my
shadow Of last night. lie gave me no friend.
~ look ns he went out; perhaps he was sore
with the memory Of tho end Of my boot. and
had q mind TO give him the day. but pru
IDENTIFY held my tongue between my teeth.
Ccci was looking much disturbed aud an.
noyed, and laughed secretly TO myself as I
thought that, after all. ] had been the IN.
struncnt Of upsetting the political plot TO
murder. In which the old conspirator had q
sbnre.
"a good day to you. Mc~er Cecil" I said.
81 have come to settle my account"
ut is Of long standing" he replied. somc.
what brusquclv; but ! was not going 10 lose
my temper. as had things TO find out.
"All the more pleasure in receiving IT,"
and, placing a couple Of gold pieces on the
table. received my puittancc and change.
"Mcsser Cecil" ] went on. ~ lea : Flor.
cnce to-day and there has been W blood be.
tween us-your making entirely. ] cannot
forget, however, that when ] was III you
helped me much. and that in other WAYS you
were kind. Lct ~ part fricnds-and, Mcs-cr
'cci, you nic olu' ! Wou'u noNsc you 10 ict
matters Of state alone"
lie looked ut me. and the corners OF his
mouth hardened as he sad Leave me
and my agc alone, NJ '.cr Donati. " was
not Tor SOU thcfc ~nnld have been a deed
donc last night NJ which oil Florence would
have runs again"
80 your precious nephew brought the
news TO you this morningY" I answered,
win question: hn,arding shot.
'cci remained silent ana, drawing my
conclusions, ] went on: Had what you
tlottcd succeeded you would have been in
inir way To taste the arms of the rack. Even
now you are not safe. iou see, Ccci, know
too much, and It would bc wise to be civil
Not safe, and he laughed scorniully--
who says am not snfeF
u do-remembcr the secretary has long
arm.,'
There are others who have longer, Mcsscr
Donati, ANA a dead tongue can tell no tales.
i take your warning, ] replied, and,
turning on my heel, sought my chamber to
await Aathiavc'iis messenger could not
hcip thlhi'ing ! hah been wise to force tho
conversation with tie intendnnt ns hnd
donc, anu T"s sure now that Scci ana tho
othcr consplrators were aware who had
sroled thcir soup, they would devote lit
tie attention TO me. u bchooved me, there
lore, to wear loose sword for the future.
ana look wei into corners before ] passed
them. ] was not sure, moreover, whether
should stu consider myself bound 10y my
promise of secrecy. now that had been ns
much as to'i That the conspirntors were IKE
| ~ TO include me IN Their plans, ana turn
their knives on me. could well see that the
secretary would not be able to retaliatc by
Tue open process OF the law against the ht'
| tack made on MN, considering the clrcnm
ftahecs under which u took place. That he
would do NO. however. under the mask.
| iclt sure. nnd lie had received sufficient
warning. whist thus rejecting heard the
cong In the yard below me strike u. and
shortly after heavy steps assembled the stairs,
| with the sound OF much pulling and blowing.
| 'hc new arrival stopped Mt my landing, and
| knocked hrniy Mt my door. Thinking II best
TO bc careful. ! unsheathed my sword. and
| letting down the bolt, stepped bach nace
"ciore ! called out: Come IN. The door
opened. and IN walked my stout friend, whc
had retrcated so rapidly from the bravo" n'
the Aiarzocco.
| "Mcsscr Donati!' he said. with an inquir
ing look.
The same bowed. and offered him a
chair.
| "rhc devil" he exclaimed. sinking into
II, but It II like an ascent TO Heaven for
sinner to reach you.' and he moppcd hi'
face with . large handkerchief. that cur
mudgeon downstairs, the intendant, hatly
refused to inform me where You were, unit
! mentioned ] came from the secretary.
| You mentioned that!
es-or diayolo!-how was ] to find
you! Let me tell you, sir, your coneequcnc,
was much Increased thereby he pulled
rather than spoke.
- do not doubt It,, and marveled al
Machiavelli having selected this garrulou'