The Winslow mail., 1900-05-10

the counts valet to drink a bottle or so of
his Burgundy with me, but the mere whis-
per of such thing would excite suspicion
of further object, and the slightest sus-
picion would ruin the business Bande
Mere appearing at this time, in accordance
with my orders. l resolved to hang about
the Palazzo Publico, and see if could pick
up any information there. On second
thoughts l resolved to go alone, and, dis
missing Bande Mere, sailed forth by N.Y.
self. | went by way of the Piazza del
Ducmo, and here I stopped in an idle mar
ner, and was for a moment struck by the
entrance to the palace, which lies here
Over the gate was a splendid bronze of a
lion and griffin, set above series of chains
and bars of gates, trophies of an old victory
gained over the Sienese. A crowd of beg
gars surrounded me, but was in no mood
for charity, and drove them off with a
rough oath. One of the number, however,
remained. He was lame in both feet, sup
ported himself on crutches, and wore
huge patch over one of his eyes.
"That is right, excellency-drive them off
the scum, the pestering every noble
gentleman. 1t is only to the deserving your
excellency will give-a paul, excellency-
a brown copper for the poor cripple-a mil
lion thanks, eXcellency-may this copper be
increased to you thousandfold in gold"
"Begone, fool!" l said, and walked on;
but he hobbled along at great rate beside
me.
''But q favor, excellency. If your wor-
ship would but come with me, | would
show you wonderful sight A bird-cage,
excellency; would your lordship be pleased
to buy bird"
! turned round IN my anger, and raised
my hand to cuff the rascal's ears cripple
though he was, when he suddenly added;
"Or free bird, excelency-there is some
one coming-a paul, quick-thanks, excel
lency-may your lordship die prince"
As he spoke couple of gentlemen and
their servants pushed by us, and l gave
them the road, the beggar hopping nimbly
to my side My heart was beating rapidly,
and all my blood tingling. Was l on the
edge of a discovery?
"No more riddles" 1 said; "who are
your"
at is not safe to talk here, signore," he
answered. "Follow me-" He started off
across the square, hobbling along on his
crutches and wailing out: "a copper for
the poor cripple-a brown paula little
"copper""
"By God!" l exclaimed to myself as
followed behind, what does this mean?"
l had to find out for myself, however, and
followed the man, who stumped along at
a great pace, notwithstanding the ups and
downs of the side streets by which we went.
He never once looked behind him, but kept
up his cry of ga copper for the poor cripple
"a brown paula little "copper"" and once
or twice, when I lost him in the crowd, the
cry served as a signal to me, telling me where
he went. Finally he turned to the left, and
on reaching the Via della Conca, made
straight for the gate. Here toll was col
lected, and, paying his paul, he went
straight out of the town. I kept him in
view now easily, and could have caught him
up as liked, for the speed at which he had
hobbled along had no doubt breathed him.
At last he left the road, and, toiling some
what painfully over the very uneven ground,
vanished behind a spur of the hills on which
Perugia is situated. / now put on my best
walking pace, and in minute or two turned
the elbow of the spur myself, and found