The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-19
CHAPTER XIX.
EXIT THE ANCIENT BRICO.

EXIT The ANCIENT BR1CO.
had gained my point without waste of
words or time, but it was to be my way or
not at all. My lady was in dire peril.
Against this could l for a moment weigh
any thought of myself? What cared
whether France, Spain, or the Borgia ruled
in Italy? What mattered it to me whether
one crafty statesman held the reins of pow
er, or another outdid him in craft and
flched away his bone? My lady was in dan
ger, and my honor mis- kt. rot, and the Most
Christian, the Most Catholic, and Most Holy
wolves might tear each others Threats out
before would move finger, take one step,
until she was free. If had to pull down
Baglioni's hold with my own hands, would
free her. If hair of her head was injured
] should take such vengeance as man never
Heard of, and thep--my foot caught in the
'carpcting of the passage, tripped up and
fell heavily, the shock sending stars before
my eyes.
woo much haste, cavalicre," and hand
helped me to rise. ,As>P gained my feet
saw Machiavelli beside me.
u followed you :atsopee," he said, ''but
YOU, went SO fast L had missed you but for
that lucky trip. A,woEl more-if you free
her, take her to the convent of st. jerome,
two miles NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. abbess
Every WE'LL God grant / succeed"
"Amen to that, and Machiavelli took my
hand. "Adieu, cavaliere; once again, must
go bacii to his eminefrecss we have point or
two to discuss yet, but no more Falernian.
Corpo di Bacco! l grow. cold when [ think
-four escape" 4 -,
"Good-by, your excellency," and we
parted.
went OH with little more care, and, be-
ing tri1e cooled by my fall, was able to
think better. BY the time reached my
\ apartments l had decided on my route.
should leave by the Porta del Popolo, keep
on the right bank of the, river as far as
Borghetto, there cross'the 'Tiber, and on to
Perueia in straight line by Narn and
Todi.i 1t was close OH three and thirty
leagues; but ! did not mean to spare horse
flesh. AS l reached the entrance which led
to my rooms, l found Jacopo and my men
ready, and Castor whinnied glad welcome
paving ut the air with his forefoot in his i'm
patience. St. Armayds and the able, al
ready mounted ana attended by a couple of
men, were little to the right
II will not keep you moment, chevalier,"
called out as ! passed him, and, running
up the stairs to my room, began to dress rap
idly. Jacopo attended me, and, as he hand
ed me my sword, pointed to the open win
dow.
ga fair night for long ride, exoellency!"
Eyes, the moon stands well-my cloak
quick" and we descended the stairs
"All ready, Jacopo:"
: Your excellency:s
Steady, Castor" and swung into the
saddle.
There was the jingle of bit chains, the
clank OF steel scabbards, the ring of iron
shod hoofs on the pavement and with St
Armande by my side and my troop behind
me, / left the Palazzo Corneto.
To avoid risk of stoppage did not go
down by the Alessandria to the POnte di San
Angelo, but determined to cross at the Ri
petta. Therefore, crossing the Borgi di San
Angelo, we went northwards by the v. d.
Ire Papazzi, up the Via Cancellieri, and
then, turning to the right, rode up the Via
Crescenzio. To our right, as we rode, the
moon hung over San Angelo and the dark
outlines of the gloomy stronghold doomed
like vast shadow of evil above us. In front
of US lay the Tiber, and the long line of fires
of the charcoal-burners. The latter over
hung by a blue cloud of smoke, into which
the forked flames leaped and danced. At
the bridge we were stopped by the guard,
but the safe-conduct set us free, and we
crossed at slow pace. Above the hollow
beat of the horses hoofs heard the waters
churning around the piers, and, looking
over the side, saw the gray river a. it
hummed past below me, Aecked with white
foam-tipped waves, chasing each other in
hines of light across it, surface. or. a they