The San Francisco call., 1907-06-09

passed without ceremony into Car
raras tent
The duke was there, but not expect
ing Conrad. and as he raised his eyes
at his sudden entrance, HE look would
have struck any save the light hearted
fop as strained and anxious; but the
German had personally no doubt OF
carrara, and the dukes ready smile de-
ceived him utterly.
he said. The prince never mentioned
It to me-
ut was final resolve" answered
Carrara- 81 have my orders here" and
he tapped parchment beside him.
'Af!" Conrad never even took the
parchment up, but glanced through the
opening OF the tent at the threatening
sky. You move nearer Milan. OF
course?"
Giacomo kept his eyes on the door.
Nearer Milan" he replied Yes,
but we do not break camp until the
morning, count You and the rest re-
main here to join the prince" Carrara
looked also out into the thunder laden
air. but not at the sky--at the castle
frownins black above the encampment
IAN ofiicer OF mine," said Conrad
careIessly, said something to me oi
some prisoners"
"Yonder at the castle, count Will
you question them with meT asked
Giacomo smoothly.
Question thern,' laughed the count
'Yor may have that task. my lerd!--
and shall know then where you are =
he added under his breath.
Carrara kept his eyes down, lest even
Conrad should see the excitement in
them.
Possibly even I may not question
them tonight, count he returned with
a smile. Il intend to rest now, as we
march at dawn"
Conrad rose, with a pleasant feeling
of having done his duty, though in his
heart little annoyed that Della Scala
had not trusted him with the movement
of the army.
.sThe thought of his wife has made
him crazy" he said to himself. CIV
ing Gfacomo credit for treachery. still
he entrusts hlm with orders he with
holds even the knowledge of from me-
And leaving Carrara. he went in search
OF yincenzo.
Giacomo sat silent till the counts
laughter had died away In the distance
then rose with passionate exclama.
ton at his own luck and Mastino's
blindness.
Without a question the count Cleft
in trust, Carrara knew as plainly as il
he had been told) had swallowed his
lies, and left him to do as he pleased
while he reveled with vincenzo d Este
Seeking the entrance once more. Car
rara looked out into the heavy evening
In that great castle Visconti was i
prisoner.
Though with his own eyes he had
seen Clan Visconti bound between the
soldiers, he could not rest for his i'm
patience to see him again and have il
confirmed before any other eyes should
recognize this rare prize.
Tonight Carrara's army was to desert
to Milan. That had been already arl
ranged with Viscontfs disguised mes
senger. II should still desert. but Wis
CONT was now a prisoner. his life ia
Carrara's hands--there must be slightly
other terms between them.
To be In a position to dictate to such
a man! Giacomo stood in the gathering
dusk, waiting for the dark. his eyes
on the castle that held Clan Galeazzc
Maria visconti. duke of Milan--a pris-
oner.
.The storm nears: how hot, good St
Hubert, how hotr' And Conrad tossed
the damp curls back from his forehead
The entrance of his tent was flung open
to admit what little air there might be
showing to the soldiers without Cou-
rad and vincenzo bending over a game
OF chess: on table near were TASKS
Of wine and elegant glasses; along the
door yittore lay, half in heavy sleep
The tent was lit by jeweled lamps
and by their dull light Vincenzo's
beauty shone with a most unearthly
brilliancy. He was clothed In white
his thick black hair falling about his
shoulders.
Evidently Mastfno's reproof was al
ready forgotten. He leaned forward
with flushed cheeks and parted lips
eager and intent on victory at che ,s
war and the price Of 1t far from his
thoughts
..Harkw said Conrad "Thunder!"
low rumble filled the tent. D'Este
took no heed.
Il will take thy knight he said;
.it ruins thee
Conrad laughed: he did not take the
game so seriously.
II will visit Carrara,'' he said, rising,
H.