The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-02-02
CHAPTER XXI.

The next day, as the big gun from the eta.
del doomed out the twelfth hour and all the
bells of the town changed forth the time, five
horsemen rode through the gate of st. An
gelo, whose doors were spread wide open.
The single sentry on duty paced sleepily up
and down; he was longing for his noontide
siesta, and the guard of a half-score of Bag
lioni's lances lay with their armor of, bask-
ing in the mellow sun. A subaltern officer,
who had evidently dined to some purpose,
reclned on his back, half in, half out of the
shade of few olive trees that grew to the
left of the gate, and the ruby on his cheeks
showed up all the brighter against.the green
of the grass on which he was stretched. The
horsemen were myself and my four follow
ers. We had taken the route l went the day
before with Clan, and the plan had formed
was this On my gaining admittance to the
house Jacopo and Bande Mere were to put
themselves at the door and engage the guard
there in conversation. Clan and the lackey
were to hold the horses. AS soon as ascer-
tanned the position of Angiola's room I
would blow shrilly on whistle had pur-
chased fer the purpose. My men at the
door, who were armed with arquebuses as
well as their swords, would hold the passage,
and / should try and account for the Cava-
iere Paolo and bear off the prize. If we
succeeded, we could easily make the gate,
and then, the road to St. Jerome lay open
before us. The fact that the attempt was
to be made in broad daylight, too, would be
a safeguard, as no one would deem that
such deed, usually done under cover of
night, was to be adventured at this hour
had partly paved the way for my entrance
by my call of yesterday, and was provided
with a sufficiently plausible story to keep
the cavaliere engaged, whilst l took stock
of his surroundings. Jacopo, too, had been
carefully drilled as to how he was to an
nounce me, and the question resolved itself
into hard hitting, and a little luck. had
dressed myself with particular care, wearing
my buff coat under gay jerkin, and short
velvet cloak hung from my shoulders. This
almost gala attire was to act as a further
blind, and give all the appearance of mere
visit of ceremony. There was, of course, the
possibility of my being refused admittance,
and of the Cavaliere Paolo declining to see
me; but this was not probable, and If it did
happen l was ready for bold stroke, and
for this :Bande Mere carried with him a
grenade with which to blow open the door.
As it turned out, however, we had no diff
Guilty on this score. On reaching the house
glanced up, and saw face peering at us
through the caging of one of the windows
above, but it was almost Immediately with
drawn. Jacopo dismounted and knocked
firmly. The aame performance, 1 have de-
scribed, of opening grating was gone
through, but on my name being mentioned
the porter shut his peep-hole, there was the
sound of the removal of bar, the clank of
chains, and the door swung open with a
sullen groan, disclosing hall, in which stood
two men, completely armed, their argue
buses at the ready in their hands, whilst the
doorkeeper himself, sturdy knave, stood
full in the entrance, swinging a bunch of
keys o.,
asked, as l dismounted, taking it for
granted was to be received, from the prepa-
ration saw was made.
He is, signore-be pleased to follow"
With warning glance to Jacopo stepped
tn, finding myself in hall of middle size, the
walls discolored with age, and Clipped and
cracked in many places clearly the Casino
Baglioni needed repairs. At the end of the
hall was a spiral staircase, whose stone
steps, worn to hollow in the middle by the
passing and repassing of feet, marked its
great age. Up this narrow stairway fol-
lowed the man, until we reached a corridor,
hung on each side with rusty suits of ar
NOR and old and tattered banners. The
place was very damp, and there was a musty
smell about it, as if no pure air ever came
that way. 1t was evident that the cavaliere
was on the alert, for q man was on guard
here, armed like those below, with sword
and arquebus. To him my guide addressed
himself.
He has come" he said, jerking his thumb
backwards at me.
'Well, announce him." said the sentinel.
THAT is for you," answered the janitor,
II had enough of Pluto this morning." With
this he turned on his heel and ran back
downstairs, jingling his keys.
The sentry stood still, however, and after
waiting for half a minute spoke, my blood
rising little within me.