The Cairo bulletin., 1905-12-30
The prlesl nodded his head

ITO sup with her, put they VII! Alil
you. excellency"
"Ho, ho. See how this assassin ~
coneernei for my life"
Certainly am. Have you not given
me mine twice? l implore you not 70
to the house
He would have said more, but the
splash df IN orr IN the narrow canal hy
whicli they walled cia short ilis en-
treaties. A gondola WIS approaching
them. The cry of the gondolier awak-
enng echoes beneath the caves of the
old houses. gave to Fra Giovanni that
Inspiration ne had been seeking now
for some minutes
..Rocca Zicani,n he exclaimed, Il am
going 10 put your professions 70 the
proof
''Excellency. | viii do anything
"Then. If you would wake tomorrow
with yonr head npon your shoulders,
enter Wonder gondola and 70 back to
those who sent you. Demand your wage
&c tlsem'--
But, sinnor''--
"Dcmand your wage Of them, per-
sisted the priest sternly and say that
the man who was their enemy lies dead
before the Church OF san salvatore.
Yon understand me-"
A curious look came into the braves
eyes
"St. John be cried. that | should
have followed such one as you eX
celleufAt'
Itt the priest continued warnnslr
"As vau obey SO hope for the mercy
Of Venice You deal with those who
know how 10 reward their friends and
10 punish their enemies. Betray MS,
and swear thar no death in all Italy
shall lie such death as yon will die
nj dawn tomorrow.
He raised his voice and summoned
The gondolier to the steps OF the quay.
The bravo threw himself down upon
the velvet cushions with the threat
stHl ringing IN his ears,
aF,xcellency." he said Il understand.
They sllaH hear that you are dead,
Fra Giovanni stepped from his gon-
doIa and stood ut the door of the Paaz-
10 PFsani exactly ut quarter 70 10
o'clock Thirty minutes had passed
since he had talked with the bravo
Rocca mud had put him TO the proof.
Tile time was enough, he said. the tale
would have been told; the glad news Of
Ills own death already gloated over hy
those who would have killed him.
OTHER men perhaps standing there
upon the threshold Of so daring m en-
teiprse would have known some temp
tation OF fear or hesitation in such Il
fateful moment, but the great Capu-
chin friar neither paused nor hesitated.
That strange confidence in his own mis-
sion. his belief that God had called him
10 the protection OF Venice perchance
even personal conceit in his own
skill as swordsmau sent him hurry
ing TO the work 1t was a draft Of
life TO him 10 see men trenble at his
word. The knowledge which treachery
poured into his ear was study liner
than that of all the manuscripts IN all
the libraries of Italy And he knew
chat he was going 70 the Palazzo Pi-
sani 10 humble one Of the greatest in
The city--to bring the sons of prince
10 their knees before him.
There were many lights in the upper
stories Of the great house. but the
-roanl tln0r, with It's barred windows
,l3l ,eu-iise chamfers Was lmIi4ueis
'f'he priest saw horrid faces grinnng
through the bars the faces Of fugi-
tives. fleeing the justice of Venice. 0ut-
casts of me city. mirierers. BIT these
ontcasts. in their iurn. were sitdt
when they saw who came to the house,
and they spoke of the strange guest in
mute exclalnati0ns OF surprise and won
der
Blood of raul.' DO you see that; II
is The Capuchn himself and alone.
surely there viii Ice work 10 do anon.
Ave. but does he come alonet 81.
John. would sooner slit hundred
Threats than have his shadow fali on
me! Was il not he that hanged OrSo
and The twclye} 4 curse upon the day
he came TO Venice
So they talked in whispers. but the
priest had passed already into the great
hall Of the palace aud was speaking 10
4 laclsey there.
MY friend" he said. Il come ip lie
name Of the signory If you would not
have your tongue cut ont tomorrow,
announce me - none"
The lackey drew back, quai,ae hr
fore the threat.
-Exccllcncy." he exclaimed. Il ana
but servant
And shall find a better place rs y"u
serve Venice faithfully"
He passed on with n0iseicss steps,
mounting The splendid marble staircase
upon which the masterpieces " Titan
and Of Paolo Neronese looked down. At
The head of tie stairs there was Il
superhly painted door which hc bad bat
90 omen 20 ind himself face 10 face
with those who were siill telling clcb
other thai he was dead
For sn instant perhaps = sense -
the danger Of his mission possessed
Iiui. Tie Know well ihat one earl
played falsely. one word mideiihcraiel.
would be paid for with his oNn Hood.
~ 80 ur l--ts1 ssa..f-fl ID So (