The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-02-16
CHAPTER XXIII.-CoNT1NUED.


CHAPTER XXIII.-CoNT1NUED
As we sat down to breakfast, the chevalier
explained that he had made further search
for the letter. but in vain,
81 ought to have told you," said, 81 have
found it."
"Where?"
I'm the garden-in shreds and tatters."
He became suddenly very silent, and so
We finished our meal. ALI that day rest
ed more for the horses sake than my 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. / cast
up the time l had left at my disposal.
still had four clear days to carry out my
mission, and to make my plans to intercept
Bozardo. But after my departure in Pc
rugia l had need for extra care, and could
not afford to throw away an hour of the
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,
coo ducats he had with him were in gold,
they would be difficult to carry away, and
would be great temptation to my men.
I could answer for Jacopo and Bande Mere;
OF course St. Armande was beyond suspi-
cion, 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. / deliber-
ated long and carefully, making up my mind
to adopt the following course. Tremouille
was but few miles from me. / would see
him, tell of the enterprise which d Amboise
had intrusted to me, and ask him to send
. troop, or some trusted men, to whom
I could hand over the money in case sue
ceeded. If he could send these men on to
Sassoferrato, l 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 l would give him the chance
and accept the risk.
" possible that he was unacquainted with
the cardinals design, and 1 could form no
better plan than the one 1 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 wasted no words,
telling him briefly that was bound on
business, and that on my return we should
have to make an immediate start. / refused
NIL offer of companionship, and shortly after
Castor and were galloping through the
glow of late sunset to the camp of Ire
mouille.
skirted the shores of Trasimene, the
road being easier there, and, as went on,
could not help wondering to myself what
manner of reception would have from the
duke. Good or bad, l was determined to
zee him, and soon caught sight of the line
of tents, cresting the hills that overhung
the detile 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 shutdown en-
veloped me, and, slackenlng speed, l let
Castor pick his way up an ascending road,
covered with loose stones, and cut into ruts
and assures. In awhile came to an out
post, and, ut once challenged by the SEN
try, and surrounded by the picket. 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 l 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 a cadet of the house of
Albany, 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 a hound, and recognized Bran's
throat.
"Per Baccoi 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 q h.f-dozen horsemen rode up. A
they approached, Castor neighed in recogni-
ton Of his twin brother. and an answering