The Winslow mail., 1900-05-03
copyright. 1895. by D. Appleton & Co.
All rights reserved.l
CHAPTER XIX.

1 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 moment weigh
any thought of myself? What cared l
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
filched away his bone? My lady was in dan
ger, and my honor might rot, and the Most
Christian, the Most Catholic, and Most Holy
wolves might tear each others throats out
before l would move a finger, take one step,
until she was free. If had to pull down
Bagioni's hold with my own hands, 1 would
free ner. If hair of her head was injured
l should take such vengeance as man never
heard of, and then-my foot caught in the
carpeting of the passage, l tripped up and
fell heavily, the shock sending stars before
my eyes.
''Too much haste, cavalicre," and hand
helped me to rise. As l gained my feet
saw Machiavelli beside me.
Il followed you at once" he said, "but
you went so fast had missed you but for
that lucky trip. A word more-h you free
her, take her to the convent of st. Jerome,
two miles northwest of Magione-the abbess
will do the rest. will see to that"
'Very well. God grant succeed"
"Amen to that" and Machiavelli took my
hand. "Adieu, cavaliere, once again, l must
60 back to his eminence, we have a point or
two to discuss yet, but no more Falernian.
Corpo di Bacco! l grow cold when think
of our escape"
"Goodby, your excellency," and we
parted.
went on with little more care, and, be-
ing trifle 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
Perugia in a straight line by Narni and
Todi. 1t was close on three and thirty
leagues; but l did not mean to spare horse
flesh. AS / reached the entrance which led
to my rooms, found Jacopo and my men
ready, and Castor whinnied glad welcome,
paving at the air with his forefoot in his i'm
patience. st. Armande and the abbe, al
ready mounted and attended by a couple of
men, were little to the right.
Il will not keep you moment, chevalier," F"
j called out as l passed him, and, running
up the stairs to my room, began to dress rap
idly. Jacopo attended me, and, as he hand
cd me my sword, pointed to the open win
dow.
"a fair night for long ride, excellencyl"
Eyes, the moon stands well-my cloak
quick" and we descended the stairs.
"All ready, Jacopo?"
Your excellency."
STEADY, Castor" and 1 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 l 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 Y. 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 loomed
like yast 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 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 free, and we
crossed at slow pace. Above the hollow
beat OF the horses hoofs heard the waters
ehurnlng around the piers, and, looking
over the side, saw the gray river as it
hummed past below me, ilecked with white
ioam-tipped waves, chasing each other in
lines of light across its surface, or, as they
broke, catching the moon rays, and dying
In hundred colorS with an angry hiss.
Passing through the ruined Porta del
Popoio, where the breaches made by
Charles cannon were still unimpaired, we
took the Flaminian Way, and galloped down
the road almost in darkness, owing to the
shadows thrown by the high walls on each
side OF us. We recrossed the Tiber at the
Ponte Molle, and, still keeping the Via Fla
mInia, turned our horses heads in the direc-
tion of Castel Nuovo-
Not the best horse in the world could keep
up the pace we were going for long, and
was old enough soldier to know that our
speed must be regulated by the slowest
beast If we wanted to reach in full strength,
so | slackened rein to a walk and gave the
animals 4 rest.
Excepting once, when Jacopo rode off to
make his duty to the Fountain of Trevi, l
had not exchanged word with st. Ar.
mande, indeed was in no mind to talk; but
he broke the silence with a question.
DO we ride all night, cavaliere?
1--WE have many leagues to go, St. Ar
mande."
"Ciell' he muttered under his breath, and
| heard the able as he leaned forward whis-
PER: "COuragei would YOU give way now
Couragel"
Clearly there was mystery here to which
] had no clew, and it troubled me. |
glanced at st. Armande, and through the
moonlight saw the white of his cheek, show
ing all the paler for the black patch he wore
transversely across it; but looking at him
did not explain matters.
What the devil does this mean?' l said
half aloud to myself.
Did you speak?"
Merely something to myself, chevalier.
DiavolO. But this is dull ride"
do you think SOP and his tone softened
suddenly.
l made no reply, but stirred up Castor,
and we logged along. left the mystery to
take care OF itself, and mapped out a line of
action. | would take only two men with me
into Perugia, and send the rest with Ar
mande to the convent of st. Jerome to await
the result of my attempt to free Angola.
1t sounded Ike foolishness to give st. Ar
mande the control of the stronger party,
especially if he meant treachery; but this
! was persuaded he did not. On the other
hand, a following OF six troopers was a trife
too many to pay peaceful visit to Baglioni,
and might arouse suspicion, while they were
too few tc attempt open force. In short, if
] could not do what wanted with two men,
! would not be able to effect it with six or
a dozen, and made up my mind to split our
party, either after crossing the Paglia, or
beyond at San Fortunate.