The Winslow mail., 1900-01-11

provost to begin the search The practiced
hands OF the field police did this very eff
fectually, but to no purpose, and felt that
the faces of all were looking friendly towards
me- D'Entrangues seemed nervous, and
his sallow cheek was pale.
"Send for Tarbes," he said, and at word
from the provost my knave was led in. This
man was a Spaniard, whom had taken into
NV service, some little while ago, on the
recommendation of D'Entrangues. Except
ON one occasion when he lost, or maybe
stole, pair of silver spurs, for which
cuffed him roundly, he had served me well.
At the present moment he seemed overcome
with fear, trenlbled in every limb, and re-
fused to look at me.
''Signor Tarbes," said the provost, do
you know what the wheel is"
The man made no answer, and Braccio
went on:
"Signor Tarbes, we want a little infor-
nation which | am persuaded you possess.
If you give it freely we will be merciful; if
you prevaricate, if you attempt to conceal
anything, we will do to you what we did
to the death hunters after San Miniato-
| you remember
''Speak freely, Tarbes. There is no fear, "
l added.
Even your master, the excellent cava-
| liere, advises you, and | must say advises
you WELL" continued Braccio. "Signor
| Tarbes, you will now show u.s." and he
rubbed his hands together softly, "where
the valiant knight, Ugo di Savelli, keeps
his prizes of war, the spoils of his bow and
spear-I was going to say fin"
"Have a care, sir" said D'Alegres, stern
| ly, 'you are here to do your duty, not to
play the jester" Braccio shrank back at
his look, and the general turned to Tarbes:
"In brief, we want to know, if your master,
| NJ. di Savelli, has any concealed property
| here? VIII you answer at once, or do you
| prefer to be put to the question:"
81 will speak-say anything, my lord
only have mercy. swear what say is true
His excellency, my master, has nothing be-
yond what you have seen-and what lies in
the leather valisc under this rug"
Now this rug in question lay fiat on the
turf, on which my tent stood, and at the
time of the search D'Alegres and others
were standing on it. Owing to this, and tc
the crowded state of the tent, it had hither
to escaped the attention which it would
doubtless have received sooner or later, fol
nothing ever passed Braccio's eyes. In g
moment the rug was swept aside, and, as the
torches were held to the turf, it was evident
that it had been dug away and then replaced
somewhat carelessly.
Braccio was in his element.
''Pouf!" he exclaimed, "a clumsy ANA
teur after ALL l thought better of his valor
Here! give me pike! And hold the torches
sou
With the sharp point of the pike ht
quickly cleared away the turf, and, stoop
| ing down, lifted up from the hole he ex
posed a small brown valsc, which had beer
concealed in the earth. The interest was
now intense. Everyone crowded round
Braccio. Even the vigilance of the guards
over me completely relaxed. felt touch
on my shoulder, and, looking back, saw
Hardwood.
FWould you like to go?" he whispered
rapidly. "My horse is ready saddled-yot
know where to find him."
| thanked him with look, but shook my
| head, and the giant fell back.
Shall break it open, exccllency?" and
Braccio held the bag out to D'AlegreS.
| <<NIy mas has the key put in Iarbes;