The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-26
CHAPTER Xxx.

"ABROWN PAUL-ALITTLE COPPER"
Such as they were, the troubles of the an.
cient and his crony Luigi could not have
ended soon, for, although at first they were
surrounded by a jeering crowd, fresh things
caught the minds of the people after lit
tie time, and they were left to themselves.
As the following day was holiday in Tod,
the ihnkeeper probably let them lie bound
until he had more leisure on his hands,
which We're in truth full enough, as the al
bergo hummed with custom. l never heard
or saw anything more of either of the vii
lains again. We had time yet at our dis
posal; but, after an early supper, the horses
being rested, we started, and, going slowly,
with halt On the right bank of the Paglia,
we crossed the Tiber near San Fortunate,
and Perugia lay before US, bright in the sun
shine. In order to throw any pursuit off the
scent, for if by chance inquiries were made
about US, they would be at the southern
gates, we made turn east, then struck
north, and, getting over the numberless
trenches lying between us and our point,
eventually entered the city by the Porta del
Carmine. Here Jacopo, under my secret in
structions, let the guard handle his wine
skin, buzzng out as if in the confidence of
the cup that we had come from Fabriano in
the Marches and then gave them the day.
We rode on, leaving the ward at the gate
to finish the skin, and found very comforta-
bic house room in the Rubicon, an hotel
kept by Messer Passaro, which lay behind
the house of the Piccinino family. "close to
the Duomo, the citadel, and the gallows,"
as the landlord, who thought himself
merry wag, informed me whilst he received
us at his door. took the best room availa-
bic for myself, and saw to the wants of my
followers and the horses, who were as well
as when they started. l left them in COM
fort, bidding Bande Mere make ready to
accompany me out at noontide. Dinner /
ordered at II, inviting the landlord to
crack flask of his best thereafter with me-
He accepted with effusion; my object in
doing this being to try and get as much
information out of him as possible, as 1
saw he had loose tongue and gossiping
heart, and was resolved to leave no stone
unturned in my search for Angola. 1t want
ed two hours or more for dinner, and, hay
ing bathed and changed my attire, l sank
me down in an armchair to enjoy an hour
or so of repose.
After dinner mine host appeared, bear
ing with him a cobwebbed flask.
1T is a wine of France, excellency-Bur-
gundy-and all my customers do not taste
this, can tell YOU"
II am favored, indeed, Messer Passaro;
take seat, and help yourself"
The condescension of your excellency!"
and with bow he settled himself COM
fortably on the extreme edge of chair.
We poured out our measures, and, on
testing the wine, found it most excellent;
as for Pessaro, he pushed himself back into
his seat and let the liquid down his throat
in.- drops, his eyes closed in an ecstasy.
When he opened them, which he did after
a time, he gasped out:
Us not that glorious. signoree Have you
ever Tipped the brandt"
Il confess it is wine for the GODS" I
said. Us there much in your CELLAR"
'Store of it, excellency; l was not but
Ter to his eminence of Strigonia for ten
years for nothing"
His eminence is fine judge of Wines"
"Cospi.to. And your excellency's for
giveness for swearing. He is the finest
judge in the world. There is no brand he
could not name, nay, tell you the year of
vintage, were he blindfold and a drop but
touched his palate. Corpo di Bacco! But
he is true prince of the church."
"Ah! you are a sly dog, Messer Passaro,"
and filled him his glass; 81 warrant me
you can tell many tale of the cardinal
But come, now, has not the Baglioni as fine
a taste in wines, and a better one for a neat
ankle?"
Hush" he said, looking around him as
BE put down his empty glass. in your ear.