The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-26

exceliency-the Count Carlo has big teeth
and bites hard. Let your tongue be still
when his name comes up in Perugia."
Thanks, friend. but Count Carlo owes
me no grudge, or else / should not be
here"
Your worship has come to join him
them"
Gas You see, Messer Passaro," and 1
filled his glass again, Il am a soldier and
love to serve a soldier. Besides things will
be on foot soon, for what with the French
at Passaignano, war cannot be delayed
long,"
"True, and light has been put to the
torch, too"
"Hurrah. Another glass, man; we SOL
diers are sick of this truce. Our purses
run dry in peace. But tell me-
"You must know, signore, that all the
country east of CastigIione to the Tiber,
and lying between the Nestore and Casale,
is hef of the Castellani, and the count
ha! ha. 1t was glorious!" and ne slapped
his thigh-"ha! ha."
Nothing irritates me SO much as to hear
a man laughing aimlessy, and it was in a
sharp tone that l said: go on.''
"A moment, excellency," and he held
up fat hand, cha! ha! I heard it all from
Messer Lambro, my cousin, and groom of
the chambers to Count Carlo. Well, all
the fef l spoke of is inherited by the Lady
Angola, the daughter of old Count Adri-
ano. The family is Ghibelline, and have
taken the French side, and, seeing that
Tremouille was between us and Casale, my
lady must needs go down to visit her es-
tates. The count, who is looking for a
wife, buckles on his armor mounts his
mare, and with 200 lances at his back,
gallops up the left bank of the Tiber,
fords the stream, swoops down on the dove
cote at Rossino, and brings back bride
to Perugia; ha! ha. 1t is superb
'Ha! ha! Messer Passaro-diavolo. Are
they married yet?''
Not yet-ah! The wine is wine for the
gods, as your worship says-not married
yet, for my lady is half beside herself, they
say. and the count, receiving sudden mes
sage from Cesare, has had to leave Perugia
for few days"
"Cospitto. How he must curse the Bor-
gia for putting off his happiness! And she
is handsome, eh"'
For the matter of that. excellency, one
does not squirt at a sour face set in a
golden Golf But they do say the lady is
very beautiful
''You have not seen her then?'
"Corpo di Bacco! She is under lock and
key, and not for the likes of me to look
upon
'1n the citadel, suppose gloomy cage
for fair bird"
maybe. but have let my tongue wag
too freely, signore, and must be going.''
Safe enough with me, Messer Passaro,
for am on the right side-adieu!"
l made no further attempt to detain him,
and he waddled off with the best part of
the now empty flask under his belt. was
sure he knew but little more, and what [
had got out of him did not amount to much.
At any rate had discovered that Baglioni
was out of Perugia, and that she was still
here. This was better than nothing; but
worse than nothing if l could not discover
the place of her Imprisonment. threw my
self back in my chair, and racked my brains
to no purpose. There was nothing definite
for me TO get hold of, no clew of any kind.
l thought of getting the landlord to invite
the counts valet to drink bottle or so of
his Burgundy with me, but the mere whis-
per of such a thing would excite suspicion
of further object, and the slightest sus-
picion would ruin the business. Bandc
Mere appearing at this time, in accordance
with my orders. 1 resolved to hang about
the Palazzo Publico, and see if l could pick
up any information there. On second
thoughts l resolved to go alone, and, dis
self. 1 went by way of the Piazza del
Ducmo, and here l stopped in an idle man.
ner, and was for moment struck by the
entrance to the palace, which lies here.
Over the gate was a splendid bronze of
lion and griffin, set above a 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 clutches, and wore a
huge patch over one of his eyes.
'That is right, excellency-drive them off
the scum, the goats-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 mill
lion thanks, excellency-may this copper be
increased to you thousandfold in gold"
"Begone, fool!" / said, and walked on;
but he hobbled along at great rate beside
me.
But a favor, excellency. If your wor-
ship would but come with me, l would |
show you wonderful sight. A bird-cage, |
excellency; would your lordship be pleased |
to buy a bird"
turned round in my anger, and raised |
my hand to cuff the rascaps ears cripple |
though he was, when he suddenly added: |
cor free bird, excellency-there is some |
one coming-a paul, quick-thanks, excel |
lency-may your lordship die prince"
As he spoke a couple of gentlemen and |
their servants pushed by us, and l gave
them the road, the beggar hopping nimbly |
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