The San Francisco call., 1907-06-16


in his hand.
yourself. visconti." he returned
calmly. The army only waits for me
TO march TO Milan, leaving Della Scala
stripped of half his force. You will go
with il, Visconti. as my prisoner My
army will conduct you into Milan
where I shall not leave you till the
Visconti, but not till then, we will to-
gether rule Della Scala"
Visconti was silent.
Come" continued Carrara, Shall 1t
be so-or will you wait and meet Della
Scala and Count conrad?"
4 accept your terms" said Clan. and
rose to his feet. Il accept, Carrara."
Giacomo's eyes shone. With trem-
bling fingers he sunbuttoned his long
black velvet cloaksand flung it on vis-
conti's shoulders.
I'VE must hasten: even now the
tipsy German may think TO visit the
castle" And he selected q key from
the bunch in his hand. and advanced
toward the inner door. Visconti start
ed forward. with staring eyes.
Not that way," he cried.
Csrrara turned in surprise, the key
in the lock.
"'Tis the only way. visconti. Are
you thinking we could pass unnoticed,
you and I together"
Clan, deathiy white. sank back obst-
nateiy against the wall
Il will not go that way" he said. II
will not go that way
He is in his mad ft again thought
Giaconao: aloud he said soothingly:
Come. lord. this is the only way; viii
you rather wait 20 see Verona's face
when he discovers you? What is wrong
with this way?" he added in vexation
as Visconti made no movement. Quick.
the moments fly
Clan stepped forward with an effort.
'Tis my fancy" he said. idle, truly,
at such moment Open the door, Car
rara"
The key ground in the IociS-as vis-
CONT had heard it once before that
night turned on the other side
= Csrrara. paused. however. and hay-
ing taken the lamp from the niche,
put il down with q smile, and drew a
parchment from his belt.
Il had forgotten. he said. II will
leave this. else Verona will miss the
point OF the jest: we will tell him what
a brave catch his lieutenant hath al
lowed to escape the snare" And with
the end of his dagger he drove the
paper into the crevice OF the stone. II
never loved Verona" he added, with
an evil smile.
But visconti had not heard. nor was
he needing him: his eyes were riveted
upon the door.
Again Psdua raised the lantern above
his head.
The glimmerlng light fell family on
q dark chamber. and dimly lit large
coverlet was half dragged off. Visconti
peered an instant over his rescuer' s
shoulder eagerly. then fell back.
Il cannot" he said sullenly. Il will
stay and face Della Scala cannot
pass that way
Carrara turned and looked at him
keenly.
bers that you are afraid TO pass them,
Visconti?- he asked.
" Tis no matter what I KNOW
viii not pass them" cried Visconti
fiercely and clutched at the rough wall
as il TO keep himself from being made
TO enter them even by force. Giacomo
looked into the chamber curiously; the
lantern showed only parts OF it, and
that dimly-an empty audience cham
couch, dust on the floor and shadows
in the arras-nothing more; and Car
rara turned impatiently.
II risk my life for this" he said.
What do you think il will mean, Vis-
CONT, if / am found helping you es-
cape?"
He stepped across the threshold and
flashed the lantern around.
Nothing he laughed over his
shoulder. Nothing" but as he ad-
vanced he paused a moment and lifted
up corner OF the dragged coverlet.
save that this eoverlet is riddled as
II with dagger thrusts," he added, "and
the floor seems stained"--he sank his
voice--with blood"
He looked back at Visconti. standing
IN the doorway. and with sudden fear
Of him his hand sought his sword.
Whom did you murder here. Nis-
conti?" he asked, awestruck. Who
ever ii was" he added presently, II
would not lose my life for fear of them,
seeing they are dead"
In a second Visconti was by his
side, gripping his arm. and Carrara.
startled, shrank and kept his hand
upon his dagger
Il do not fear them" whispered vis-
cont in his ear. Nor YOU"
And he hurried across the chamber,
Carrara at his heels. ~
Room after room they traversed, de-
serted, gloomy, and unopened since that
night
Hurry. breathed Visconti. shall
we never see the blessed sky again? ?n
And snatching the keys he pushed on.
taking every door and turning. with q
certainty that showed he knew them
we'll
AT last" he cried, as they stepped
out into the air
They were at the back OF the castle,
on ledge overhung with ivy and over
looking a narrow fight Of steps. the
masonry half ruined and overgrown
with flowers.
The. storm was over, a few great
clouds tore across the sky, but the
moon was clear and serene, the night
calm and peaceful
The cool air blew around Visconti's
damp hair. and stirred the dark ivy
leaves. glistening with the rain. Be-
meath them lay the tents, a large body
OF men. half the army. silently and
swiftly preparing for flight
Some have gone already" said Gia-
como. These walt for me and you.
Visconti: come" and stepping past him
he led the way.
There was no one to observe them
save Giaeomo's men that he had been
careful TO station there: but when they
had gained the bottom and Carrara
would have passed on Visconti caught
at his sleeve and drew him behind a
clump of elder.
THE German" he whispered, and
they waited. breathiess.
IL IL -. n