The San Francisco call., 1907-06-23

..On a visit to- Della Scala's wife
She is a priceless hostage, and Ill
would it suit our safety even If aught
befell her.
you would visit her yourself LADY,"
Aye, myself. since with me lies the
power and so the responsibility. and
/ would not shirk it. Lords she con-
tinued generally, I'VE can do little else
but wait--only hold yourselves in
readiness-for the dukes sake and the
honor and security OF Milan
She put her hand on. D'Orleans' arm
again and left the room, followed by
De Lana and Giannotto.
Now. / had almost forgot, my lord"
she said, pausing with. smile. My
page. his sister and his brother would
leave Milan tomorrow for Brescia-
what for. Adrian? Indeed. / have for
sot--but I have the dukes permission
upon this passport.
She spread before the captain a
parchment bearing visconti's sigma
ture.
This is no time to be leaving Milan.
boy" said De Lana.
Our father is sore sick at Brescia, -
returned Adrian. Dying, my lord"
De Lana smiled.
"a long and dangerous journey to
MAKE Tor SICK 1atneF.
There is money in the matter for
these children. and it is my pleasure. =
said Valentine.
De Lana bent over the parchment
and affixed his name and in that sec
ond Valentine, glancing at Gianpotto,
their eyes met and the secretary under
stood. He had meant to hasten to
Visconti's rooms: he meant now not to-.
De Lana gave the parchment back and
Valentine handed it to Adrian.
And now. Lord dorleans. will you
come with US to Isotta's PRISON.
TRULY said De Lana, '-the lady is
as firmly guarded as at any time. 1
have looked to that
Desperation is a great sharpener of
the wits, my lord" smiled Valentine
Visconti. when life and liberty are
at stake the weakest will venture-and
accomplish much"
Indeed. think with the lady" put
in Giannotto. that too much zeal can
not be shown for anything so near to
the dukes heart as this"
De Lana shrugged.
Half an hour later Giannotto and the
captain waited in the guard room of
Isotta's prison.
Valentine. one OF her women and the
page had entered the prison itself. The
dukes signet had passed through all
the formidable barriers. 1t was late,
almost dark.
This shows a malice in the lady I
do not like" said De Lana. what need
she to triumph over her brothers
victim?"
.She is a visconti," returned the sec
retary. .She has something of the
dukes temper and his strangeness-
there may be in it curiosity also
"Curiosity?''
ITO behold for herself if Isotta d d'Este
be as fair as she is--to spy into her
brothers treatment of his prisoners
Have you seen the lady my lord?"
'I--never, replied De Lana. Nor
do 1 greatly care to-
Giannotto made no reply; he felt un-
usually placid and content. He saw
plainly enough that Valentine was out
whiting her brother, and as he hated
the duke and admired his sister. he
would help, her with all his power as
long as he ran no rfsks. Visconti had
not left him in charge--and for asking
no untimcIy questions. Valentine would
reward him WELL
With some excitement he awaited
her return.
"she is a long time" said De Lana
impatiently.
''She has her brothers daring. :.
thought Giannotta And yet--she
would hardly dare that-hardly."
The door Of Isotta's prison was
opened and Valentine came out, fol-
lowed by her attendants--dark cloaked
figures keeping in the shadow Adrian
closed and bolted the door behind them
as she slowly stepped down into the