Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-10-07
CHAPTER VIII.

p WAS now taken to one side by
several of the more important
members Of the ElevationiSt con-
spiracy, the lieutenant Of the
band. the noble Count Baldaccio Cas-
tracani being one of the number. and
was at once let into the inner secrets
Of the order. Ny surprise and conster-
nation We're great when found thai
( was their plan to rise against the
power of Castruccio that very night,
to sack the palace and TO put the duke
and his nearest relatives to the sword.
"By my faith, fair gentlemen said
I. but We seem To be in great haste
about the matter. AS We ar" ware.
my noble father. the Prince Arnolfo,
did but yesterday at midday depart
this life, and II were sin and a most
erievous shame II / We're 10 go about
other business while yet he lieth un.
buried"
They looked at each other as II they
were loath to postpone the enterprise
upon such grounds.
Besides the which" I continued. u
have il upon trustworthy hearSay that
ten bags Of ducats will be- taken by
the banker Montefiori 20 Castruccio's
palace upon the morrow's morrow al
Is OF the clock. Marry. then. ye will
do well TO retard the uprising FOR eight
and forty hours at least or until these
same ducats are arrived"
Upon hearing these words they at
once agreed to a postponcment OF the
insurrection. now thought 20 ask
about Brother Ambrose. To my sur
prise. | learned that the ci-deyant monk
did not belong 60 their company and
that they knew Of no such parsonage.
| therefore took leave OF my fellow
conspirators after pledging myself To
meet them at an early hour upon the
morrow. and. passing through the clois
ters. the court Of the monastery and
the old church. found myself upon the
street.
When was come into the Piazza
Publica OF the city, it was already two
hours after midday. and there were
much people in the square. was
threading my way among them when
felt my sleeve plucked from behind
and. turning. | found myself face to
face with Clan .TacopO. His visase WAS
pale. and his appearance and dress
,,.r,, much diSoriprpl
Fair prince" said he, "prithee come
this way, out Of the hearing OF the
populace. for have that to tell thee
which may cause thee to blaspheme
nightly. the which it were not well TO
do in public"
| followed him to convenient cor
ner where we could speak unheard.
And now," said l, tell me thy tale
quickly"
Good master Timoteo," said he, with
eyes bulging from fear or excitement
..go not to thine abode without taxing
with thee q numerous body OF the
watch, else whist thou be foully MUIR
dered, for thy house is presently IN
possession of a great band of thieves
and cutthroats.'
go to! A likely tale" said l. And
pray, inform me when and how came
these gentry into my palace"
"It was in the darkness Of the night,
fair lord, and hard upon the hour or
1 when they did come. l was wait
ing up for thee as thou badest me, and
the gates were unbarred against thy
return when suddenly comes me this
pack of villains to the door, which, l
opening, they incontinently swarmed
into thy habitation. Perdio, there were
score at least. By my faith. / knew
none of them. and as to the manner OF
them, though they were one ana all
tricked out in gay clothing and much
finery, yet did they seem by their races
the worst pickpockets and highway
men In the realm. had short time to
take note Of their appearance, but !
did observe that he who seemed their
leader bore within his arms the person
of young and richly dressed and most
beauteous lady Of snow white complex
ion and hair as black as night"
His description fitted Ippolita mar
velously.
"What then? What then?" I cried.
seizing Jacopo by the shoulder and
shaking him roughly in my impatience'
"Santiddio, fair prince, know NOT
for at that moment one Of those un'
christian knaves fetched me a great
blow upon the top Of the skull with q
pike so that I fell prone and without
sense or feeling. After time, by the
grace of God, I came to myself, and'
seeing that they regarded me not by
reason Of their having broached cask
of thy best wine and Of their being
gathered around it with great noise
in the banquet room, stole away ano
hid myself in a convenient place be
hind the arras. And now l noted tha'
they had brought with them mucr
plunder of gold and silver ware, goD