The Winslow mail., 1900-03-29
[eopyrieh.. 1895, by b. Appleton 6. Co.
All rights reserved.l
CHAPTER XIV.
GEORGE OF AMBOIsE.

should mention that before retiring /
had obtained from the landlord good-sized
lanthorn, which / had carefully filed with
oil and trimmed under my own eyes Hold
ing this in my hand 1 assembled the ladder
leading to the chamber, or rather loft, was
| to occupy, and on gaining my point | placed
| it on the floor, near the opening by which
the ladder led into the room, and so directed
the light that its glare passed downwards,
and up to the entrance of the stables, leav-
| ing the sides of the stables in darkness, al
| though my own room was bright enough.
This was a precautionary measure, as it
would discover anyone attempting to come
! in by the stable entrance which had no
door, and would enable me at any time to
see to rush down quickly to the aid of
Jacopo, should he need it. debated q short
while as to whether should undress for the
night; but SC little did l like the looks of the
| place; which was more like a house of call
for bravos than anything had seen, that l
did nothing beyond removing my boots, and
| finging myself as l was on the vile
truckle-bed in the room. | placed my
drawn sword at my side and sought
to sleep, struggling resolutely to get
this, DESPITE the legions of inhabitants
the bed contained, who with one accord sal
| lied forth to feast upon me. But sleep | waa
determined to have, as had work for to-
morrow, and; knowing Jacopo to own sharp
eyes and quick ears, felt no scruple about
getting my rest, determining, however, to
make it up the next day to my knave for his
vigil, which l was sure would be faithfully
kept. Finally, despite the attacks Of my
enemies, l dropped off into light slumber,
which lasted for two or three hours, when
l was startled by hearing shrill whistle, the
clash of swords, the kicking and plunging OF
the horses, and Jacopo's voice shouting out
my name. | woke up at once, with all my
wits about me, and on the instant ran down
the ladder, sword in hand, parrying more by
accident than design cut that was made at
me by some one as l descended.
As | touched the ground two men darted
out of the door and ran across the half
ruined yard in front of the stables. A third,
whom | recognized as Jacopo was about to
follow, but held him back by the shoul
der, having no mind to run risks around
dark corners whilst l had my letter to de-
liver. Jacopo yielded to me very unwilling
ly, and in an answer to my hurried inquiry
gave me an account of the affair which had
been as brief as it was noisy.
"When your worship RETIRED" said he,
"leaving the lanthorn to so conveniently
light up the stable entrance, had another
look at the horses, and then settled myself
down on that heap Of straw yonder, my back
to the wall and my sword in my right hand.
So an hour, or may be two passed, and then
l heard voices outside, and some one swear
ing at the light. Oh no! says | to myself,
there's a night-haw about, and | remained
on the alert, not thinking it worth while to
give tongue then. After awhile the voices
dropped away-and, excellency, I am sorry,
but | must have slipped off into doze, and
beshrew me! if | did not dream | was
aboard that cursed ship again, and being
made to play pea-in-the-drum once more. l
therefore made haste to awaken, and as
opened my eyes heard cracking noise out
side. rose slowly and crept towards the
entrance, and just as | reached within three
feet Of it a handful of pebbles was thrown
in, and one of the horses started bit. The
stones were clearly flung from outside to see
if anyone was awake; but, of course, made
no sign, and the next minute two men ap-
peared at the open entrance. gave whis-
tie to rouse your honor, and went at them at
once-and your excellency knows the rest"
In the morning my henchman was anxious
to know if | meant to take any steps with
regard to the attempt at robbery last night
l was well enough inclined, but determined
to let the matter rest until my business was
| done, and for the present said | would re-
main content with the satisfaction that we
| had saved our steeds and throats. BY the
time finished breakfast, Jacopo, who had
already taken meal, had saddled the horses
| and was holding them ready for our de-
parture. | summoned mine host, but at first
could obtain no view of him. Finally on my
| threat to depart without settling my score
| he appeared with his arm bound up in a
sling. As he was unwounded the evening
| before, | made no doubt but that he was
one of the two who had visited us last night,
but said nothing, merely remarlling, as |
| paid my account, that the love of horsehesh
frequently brought people into trouble. He
did not seem to appreciate the remark, and
scowled at me- at which | bade him begone,
and to thank his stars that his house was
not pulled about his ears. He did not at
tempt any reply, but skunk off, and, inward
| ly resolving to clear out this nest of scor-
pions FROM Rome at the first chance, rode
ont Of the gate, followed by Jacopo, and we
directed our way towards the Ponte S. An
gelo. l had not the least idea where his
eminence Of Rouen was staying, but made
certain it would be somewhere in the Borgo,
and that once l had reached the papal quar-
ter | should find no difficulty in my search
/ for D'Amboise and in delivering to him
Machiavelli's letter.
AS | went on | began to feel nervous, in
spite of myself, as to what the results of my
interview with the cardinal would be, and
whether it would end in the further employ
mcnt, which the secretary had distinctly
said it would. had no reason to doubt,
however, and it was with a hopeful mind
that trotted up the Lungo Tavere.
| Near the statues of Peter and Paul, on the
| bridge, was a guardhouse, occupied at the
time by a detachment of Spanish infantry,
and to these men | addressed myself inqur
ing where the cardinal of Rouen was staying
| was told, at once, that his eminence was
lodging in the new palace of Cardinal Cor
neto, opposite the Scorsa Cavalli and that
my best way was to turn to the left on cross
ing the bridge, and then to the right at the
| junction Of the Borgo San Spirito and the
Borgo Saa Michele
Bestowing my thanks and largesse on
the men for their kindness, went on at a
gallop, congratulating myself on the ease
with which the difficulty was solved, and in
few minutes had crossed the Piazza Scorsa
Cavalli, and was before the residence of the
cardinal. At the time | speak of it was not
quite finished, but still habitable, and had
been rented by Monsignore dAmboise, as
being conveniently near the Vatican.
On entering the courtyard | dismounted,
and, giving my horse to Jacopo to hold as
cended the steps and boldly announced my
self as an urgent messenger who had busi-
ness with his eminence. | was ushered by
page into reception-room, and, early as the