The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

love not to play with you he
cried. would Count Conrad were
mere; he was the ono to play with"
DOrleans laughed.
Because he always let you win,
Msieu? he said.
Tisio began to whimper with annoy
anee, calling loudly on Valentine.
visconti. aroused, drew the curtains
aside and stepped forward
D'orlesns was, at his appearance, a
little Hurried 1t was impossible for his
weak brain TO meet those eyes and not
feel furried.
'Tisio and I are fallen out again"
he said feebly.
Visconti looked at hira-eoldIy.
would remind you, my lord. Tisio.
though an infant, is my brother
Clam cried Tisio. suddenly notic-
ing him. Clan. It was my movey'
Whether it was thy move or not.
1t does not please me thou shouldst be
annoyed-remember it, my lord duke:''
and he turned into his inner room AS
he closed the door his long brooding
showed in his face. 1t was lined and
anxious. The position was dizzy one.
a perilous one; his dark dress concealed
the CLEAN of chain armor.
His enemies were many, and some
powerful, and visconti took no chances.
AT his side hung dagger, long and
sharp. and his fingers were often on the
hilt in readiness. At his old place sat
Giannotto.
Il have decided" said visconti. II
Will attempt Carrara'
You think he is to be bought, my
lord?'
II think he is to be bought re-
sponded visconti. ''At any rate we will
try. He and his force are with Della
Scala?'
And fifteen miles outside our walls,
said Giannotto; then at the look on the
dukes face he was sorry he had spoken
and sbrapk together.
Read what IS on the parchment,
said Visconti, and the secretary, glad TO
have been let off so easily. unwrapped
the roll.
Therein viscontrs bribe was plainly
set forth:
The town OF Colgna, near 70 Padua.
and we'll fortified, the protection and
close alliance of Milan. and the service
OF 10000 trained mercenaries together
with the right to trade free Of toll In
Viscontis dominions--
And pair of turquoise gloves"
added Visconti, with a change Of tone.
Giannotto glanced up.
Are they not worth 500 ducatsa''
said Visconti, smiling Did not the
pope and the emperor both wish to buy
them, and fail?
Giannotto bowed his head over again
and studied the scrip in silence.
Visconti watched him keenly.
He thought. II know he would betrav
me for ducat.--if I were not Wis.,
conti.''
He turned to the narrow window and
looked out on the city spreading be-
meath him.
The empire" he muttered to himself.
The empire and the French--I will
awe them and humor them while
must-but let me once gain Carrara-
as I shalt can dispense with them
and deal with Della Scala as list"
He turned from the window to Clan
MOTTO. and his face had lost it's lines.
''Wehg he asked. What think
you?
This is a master stroke of tenpta-
tion. my lord. You have always found
craft good servant"
1T would not serve me well in thee
said Nisconti with sudden glance.
Now, see 10 it that parchment is dis
patched, Giannotto. and by trusty
messenger, and with no delay
'T viii give it to Ricardo with nv
OWN hands, my lord" said Giannotto.
He is the best man we have since
Filippo was wounded this morning i'm
skirnish by the western gate"
The western gate?" Visconti looked
up quickly.
TT was not worth while bringing To
your notice, my lord A band of the
enemy's soldiers have been skirmishing
there"
They were beaten or without harm
to any one within the gatese'
The gates were not forced nor any
one injured--or should have acquaint-
ed you, my lord and he waited for