The Winslow mail., 1900-05-10
MIt Is hehind thn palazzo Piccinino: xou

ut is behind the PalaZZo Plcc1nlno; you
cannot miss it. Go there, and await me
few steps from the doors-you followT
| "Ies, your worship"
We had now crossed the Vici DELI Elce,
but passing the gate of that name, went
| onwards, and after stiff climb reached
the Porta San Angelo. Here my companion,
betaking himself once more to his crutches
and keeping ahead of ME, turned south
wards along the road which lined the walls
| towards Santa Agnese. Shortly before
reaching the church, we came to a small but
/ l;d-looking building, half fortress, half
| dwelling Gouse, and Clan, stopping dead i'll
| front of it, turned round and began to
whine:
"a copper for the poor cripple-a brown
copper. The house, sgnore," speaking the
last words under his breath as came up.
| "Do you know the room?" | asked, pre-
tending to tumble for coin.
| ''In the tower behind" he answered rap
| idly, may the saints bless your lordship,'
and he limped away.
In order to gain time to look about, put
back my purse leisurely, and then, with the
same object, proceeded to rearrange and re-
tie the bows on my doubet. The face of
the house was little way back from the
wall, which it overlooked. The massive
| doorway was shut, and the windows on each
| side Of it, as well as those set above, heavily
grated. l was too near the house to see
! the tower behind and it looked so deserted
that it was hardly possible for six men to
be on guard there
can odd sort of bower to place ones
lady-love in" | said, half aloud, to myself;
but then Baglionis wooing was rough one.
| There was obviously nothing to be got by
staring at the front of the house, and l
| turned to my left, pausng between two dead
walls, until | obtained a view of the tower
behind. The windows of the topmost room
were all closed and strongly barred, and it
seemed deserted glanced lower down, and
to my Joy saw that the room below was evi-
IDENTIFY occupied, and once caught glimpse
of figure moving within. 1t was brief
glimpse; but the eyes of love are sharp, and
l knew it was Angola. l made up my mind
at once, and, stepping back quickly to the
| front of the house, hammered loudly at the
door with the knocker. After moments
silence | heard the firm tread of soldier.
! A small barrier was let down, bearded
face looked up, and a rough voice asked:
| "Who knocks~
"Diavolo!" / exclaimed. "You are polite.
Is the Cavaliere Paolo within?"
"He is not" replied the man, shortly.
Expected soon"
Cannot say"
eff you do not answer more civilly it will
be bad for you. Tell him when he comes
that the Cavaliere di Savelli"-I gave my
proper name-"has arrived from Rome on
an urgent affair, and will call on him to-
morrow; forget, and it will be worse for
you."
The man seemed little surprised, and al
| tered his tone at once.
II will give your message, signore."
| Beware how you fail-harkee-is there a
road to the Via Appia behind this house?"
| eyes, signore, straight on, after taking
the passage"
| / did not even thank him, but turned on
my heel and walked off whistling catch.
l went down the passage between the two
walls and after some considerable stun
blings up and down the vile roads reached
the Via Appia and turned southwards to my
hostel. had formed the somewhat daring
plan of trying to force the house i'll broad
daylight, choosing my time an hour or so
after dinner, and if done boldly this would
| probably be successful, as my own force was
nearly equal to that of the garrison, includ-
ing Pluto.
AS was approaching the Rubicon !
| heard voice at my side.
ga copper, signore-a brown paul."
| "Gian."
| "Excellency."
drop the beggar and attend-can you
rider"
eyes, excellency."
Every WE'LL"
said no more and went on in silence, but
little distance from the hostel bade Clan
stop, and, entering the yard, sought out
Jacopo.
''Has the landlord any horses for sale?"
| "Two, your excelency."
Good ones?"
Fairly so, excellency-about 20 crowns
apiece, with saddle included"
"Then buy one-and here-a few steps to
| the right of the entrance you will find a
cripple; he is one of my men; do not speak,
but attend-go out quietly-get him de-
Gently clothed, and bring him back here;
| The horse will be for him. You can get
clothes to fit anywhere, for the shops do not
shut until late; get him sword, too; there
| rugia."
at shall be done, excellency."
"Then be off at once"
l went on, and had look at the horses.
Bande Mere was with them, seated on a
rough wooden bench cleaning his corselet,
which already shone like silver. He rose to
the salute as | came up.
Glow are the horses, Bande NereT
GAS we'll as possible, signore; they are all
in high mettle."
With parting pat to Castor l sought my
chamber, reaching it little after the sup
per hour kept up an outward composure,
but my mind within me was atiame with eX-
element l ordered another flask of the
Burgundy and forced myself to eat and
drink little. Then / betook myself to the
armchair, and my thoughts. So impatient
was | that the idea came on me to make the
attempt there and then, and it was with diff
ficulty persuaded myself to abandon such
a plan, which could have only ended in dis
aster. Finally, l was about to retire for
want of something better to do, when Jaco-
20 came in, followed by Clan.
The latter was entirely transformed, ex-
cept for the patch which he still wore over
his eye, and was able to recall him now as
the old servant who had come somewhat
Gercely up to me in the garden of st. Mi
chael He had the art which found so diff
fcult of completely Disgusting himself when
he chose Jacopo had performed his task
well, and, bidding them keep their tongues
closed, l dismissed them with good night.
[To BE Continued