The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-06-24
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"As you obey, so hope for the mere
of Venice. You deal with those VIII
know how to reward their friends an,
to punish their enemies. Betray us
and l swear that no death in all Ital,
shall be such a death as you will di,
at dawn tomorrow"
He raised his voice and summoned
the gondolier to the steps Of the quay
The bravo threw himself down upor
the velvet cushions with the threat
still ringing in his ears.
'Excellency," he said, II understand
They shall hear that you are dead"
Fra Giovanni stepped from his gon.
dola and stood at the door of the Palaz.
20 Pisani exactly at quarter to 10
o'clock. Thirty minutes had passed
since he had talked with the bravo
Rocca and had put him to the proof.
The time was enough, he said; the tale
would have been told; the glad news of
his own death already gloated over by
those who would have killed him.
Other men perhaps standing there
upon the threshold of so daring an en-
terprise would have known some temp
tation of fear or hesitation In such a
Hateful moment, but the great Capu-
chin friar neither paused nor hesitated.
That strange confidence In his own mis-
sion, his belief that GOO had called him
to the protection of Venice, perchance
even a personal conceit In his own
skill as swordsman, sent him hurry
Ing to the work. 1t was a draft of
life to him to see men tremble at his
word. The knowledge which treachery
poured into his ear was a study finer
than that of all the manuscripts In all
the libraries Of Italy. And he knew
that he was going to the Palaxzo Pr
SAM to humble one of the greatest in
the city-to bring the sons Of princes
to their knees before him.
There were many lights in the upper
stories of the great house but the
ground floor, with its barred windows
and cell-like chambers, was unlighted.
The priest saw horrid faces grinning
through the bars = the faces of fugi-
tives, fleeing the justice of Venice, out
casts Of the city, murderers. But these
outcasts, In their turn, were silent
when they saw who came to the house.
and they spoke of the strange guest in
mute EXPLANATIONS of surprise and won
der.
Blood of Paul! Do you see that? 1t
Is the Capuchin himself and alone
Surely there will be work to do anon"
Aye, but does he come alone? ST
John, l would sooner slit hundred
Threats than have his shadow fall on
me! Was it not he that hanged Orso |
and the twelve? A 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 and was speaking TO
a laclxey there
My friend" he said, Il come In the
name of the signory. If you would not
nave your tongue cut out tomorrow.
me to none"
The lackey drew back, quailing be.
fore the threat
"Excellency," he exclaimed. oT am
but a servant
And shall find a better place as Won
erFe venice Ia1tnrully."
He passed on with noiseless steps.
mounting the splendid marble staircase
lpon which the masterpieces of Titan
ND Of Paolo Veronese looked down. At
he head Of the stairs there was n
uperbly painted door which he had but
0 open to find himself face to face
With those who were still telling each
ther that he was dead.
FOR an instant perhaps a sense of
he danger of his mission possessed
I'm. He know well that one card
iayed falsely, one word undeliberated
you'd be paid for with his own blood
'ut even In the face of this reckoning
e did not hesitate. He was there to
ave Venice from her enemies The
'od OF Venice would protect him. And
without word or warning he opened
ne door and stood. bold and unfiinch-
ig, before those he had come to ac-
use
Inere were four at table, and one ,
as woman The priest knew her
ell. She had been called the moet
1auufui woman In Venice-C Catherine.
'untess Of Treviso. Still young. with
face which spoke OF ambition ana NJ
we, her white neck glittered with the ,
'wels II carried; her dress OF blue vel. ,
p was such a dress as only noble /
oman OF Venice could wear-a queen. !
ngure' the frtar said. yet one he I
ould 40 humble presently that never 1
'puid she bold uD bier head again. |
a. Tor the others. the men who had \
oalled conspiracy with a woman's :
'll'' he would know how 10 deal With
go Indeed, when he sconnad their q
''s nlo began 70 remember tle cir. =
Nisipi'ees under which Ne had met A
'll pefone, his oournge was strength.
co. aiia he forgof thaf no had ever n
asoneq Nitb a. y
vi Stood ~ the shad0gs, buf tls h
W Close ~ ialh and lhinking fllat Il b
~ iAH nlinled tho rom. 40 noi 4.
'"Af h'ln Shry Nerf laughing nler I.
...I