The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-12

into the court outside, breaking to splinters
with a little tinkling crash. Then he
emptied out the contents of therfagon, and
hurled it into the CRATE, where it lay, its
fine work crushed and denied, the two en-
! erald eyes of the dragon on the stopper
blinking at US wickedly. This outburst
made DAmboise calmer, and it was with
more composure that he struck a small gong,
and reseated himself at the table. As he
did So BURN entered the room.
I'VE want a clear table," said the cardi-
nal; remove these things and tqrd Inc that
| map"
By the time BURN had done this, his emf
| nence showed no further trace of excite
| ment, except that his lips were very firmly
set, and there was slight frown on his fore
! head as he smoothed out the roll of the map
| One corner kept obstinately turning up, and
as Machiavelli quietly put his hand on it to
! keep it in position, he said: See! The
| ring is as it was before"
We looked at the opal, and, sure enough.
| the poisOn-tint was gone, and under the
pale, semiopaque blue of its surface lights
| of red, of green, and of orange, fitted to and
fro.
ct is wonderful" said, and D'Amboise
smiled grimly to himself. The cardinal
| placed his finger on the map, where the port
| of Sinigagla was marked.
els it here he lands?"
Yes" replied Machiavelli, "and then
| straight to Rome"
"You have sure information?"
eyes,"
''Then will your excellency instruct NJ.
Donati? As arranged, pledge an imme-
date movement on the part of Tremouille,
at the first sign of success"
"Iou have agreed, cavaliere, to undertake
the task SV and the secret turn cd fo mo
81 have, your excellency."
Machiavelli then went on, speaking incis-
lively, wasting no words. I'm ten days or
| Whereabouts from now Monslgnore Bozardo,
the Papal envoy to the Grand Turk, will
land at Sinigaglia and start for Rome. He
brings with him letter and sum of money,
10000 ducats. These are for his holiness.
Bozardo and the letter may reach, if you
like; the ducats must not"
"Where are they to go?"
ITO the Duke de la Tremouille"
II follow"
Understand that you take this venture
at your own risk"
l saw what he meant; if failed 1 was to
be sacrificed, and my mind was made up.
would accept, with condition.
81 quite understand-there is one thing"
WHAT"
"Ten days IS wide margin. I will stop
Bozardo or die; but propose effecting the
release of the Lady Angola as well.''
A glad look came into Machiavelli's eyes;
but the cardinal flashed out:
"Nom du Diable! What grasshopper have
you got in your head? Leave the demoiselle
to us. You cannot do two things at once"
"Then, with respect to your eminence, l
decline the affair of the ducats."
DAmboise looked at me in sheer amaze
ment.
"You decline-you dare;" but A1achiavelli
interposed.
"a moment, your eminence. Can we get
another agento"
''Not now; it is too late now"
"And we have no money for active meas
ures?"
"Not livre."
cit seems to me that the cayaliere has us.
in his hands, and we had better agree. After
all, he only risks his head twice, instead of
once"
D'Amboise bit his lips, and with frown
began to drum on the table with his fingers
I sat silent but resolved, and Machiavelli,
rising, went to the writing table, pulling
out from his vest parchment. In this he
rapidly wrote something, and, busting it
over with drying powder, held it to the flame
of candle. Then he turned back leisurely,
and, as he resumed his seat, handed me the
paper.
81 have just filled in your name on this
blank safe-conduct through the Papal
States. 1 took the precaution of obtaining
this from Sforza to-day. When can you
start?'
Nov, your excellency," and I put the
safe-conduct securely by.
Il suppose l must agree" said the cardi-
nal, suddenly. IF it fails, all is lost; if it
succeeds"
There will probably be new Conclave,
your eminence," said Machiavelli.
DAmboise's forehead flushed dark at the
hidden meaning in the Florentines words
But we all knew that the chair of ST. Peter
was ever before his eyes, and for this he
schemed and saved, although profuse in his
habits. George of Amboise never gained
his desire, but when he died he left a for
tune of eleven millions This, however, was
yet to be.
l had already risen to take my leave as
Machiavelli spoke, and the cardinal, taking
no notice of his last remark, turned to me.
with something of his old good temper. Per-
haps the hint of Florentine support at the
next papal election was not without its soft
ening effect.
"Did I understand you to say that you
were ready to start at once, cavaliere:"
eyes, your eminence"
Then let me wish you good fortune
adieu!"
your eminence has my grateful thanks"
I bowed to D'Amboise and the secretary,
and withdrew; bnt as the door swung be-
hind me heard Machiavelli's voice.
The air of Rome does not suit me, your
NJ ~