The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24
CHAPTER xvII-continued

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sequence of the turn affairs had
taken and much more inclined to muir
der Zeno than TO let him out As for
the whereabouts. Gorlias only knew
. hat he was in one of the many dry
cisterns which existed under old Con-
stantinople and which had never been
in use since the crusaders had cut the
squeducts and sacked the city more
than "a hundred and seventy years ear
ler. The men who had shut up Zeno
knew where he was. but it was very
likely that they had not told their
comrades.
The dificulty lay in the fact that Jo-
hsnnes was kept in a place even more
inaccessible than Zeno's cistern. The
whole matter was a vicious circle. He
could not be set free unless the troops
rose for him; but the troops would not
rise unless they saw him in their midst,
and If there were no rising Zeno would
be starved to death in the we'll Cor
has Pietrogliant was a man OF re-
sources. but the problem completely
bafied him.
He stood silent and in thought at
Zoe's window: she sat quite motionless
on the great divan. watching him and
thinking. too. Neither he nor she knew
q low long they kept silence.
Then Zoe's expression began to change
very slowly as an idea dawned upon
her.
I have thought of way" she said
at last
Gorlias turned. crossed the room and
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not think she had any practicable
scheme TO propose. and at first. while
she was speaking. he was much more
inclined TO follow his own line of
thought than hers. Then all at once
be felt that she had received one of
those inspirations OF the practical sense
which visit women whoeare driven to
extremities and which have been the
wonder Of men since Jacobs mother
showed him how to steal his fathers
blessing.
1T is a daring plan. and it could not
succeed In broad daylight" he said.
when she had finished, but ii may at
dusk"
1t must" Zoe said emphatically.
IF il fails we viii not see each other
again.
Not unless it occurs 10 Andronicus
TO cruelty US together" Gorlias an
swered rather gravely. Very mucn
depends on our timing ourselves as ex-
sctiy as possible"
Yes. Let il be a little more than
half an hour after sunset, just when
the dusk is closing in Have you
everything you needT
4 can get what is lacking. We have
three good hours still before u.s.
Go. then, and DO not be late. You
know what Will happen to me IL you
do not come just al the right time"
7
las said.
4 have more to lose and more to
win Zoe answered.
She was thinking Of Zeno-of life
with him. OF life without him and OF
the life she would give for his But
Gorlias wondered al her courage, for
II was held nothing in those days 10
tear a living man or woman 10 shreds,
piecemesI. on the mere suspicion OF
treason. and that would surely be her
fate If he could not carry out precisely
and successfully the plan she had
thought Of A delay Of half an hour
might mean death TO her, though IL
would not OF necessity AFFECT the result
so far as Johannes and Zeno were con-
cerned.
C,orlias left her TO make his own
,renaratfons When he was gone Zoe
sent Yulfa for Zeno's own man, Vito,
the Venetian boatman. He came ana
stood on the threshold while she spoke
10 him. out OF the maids nearing ana
n italian. lest they should creep near
and listen
vito. said Zoe. you are never
frightened, are you?
%, Vito grinned Am I OF iron or
~ stone2 Or am I perhaps a nonZ
When there is fear am afraid
..8ut the master is never frightened,
speeested Zoe. lis he OF stone, then?"
Tcr
shrugged his shoulders. Would you
comnare me with the master? Then
compare copper with gold The master
ss re master and that is enough, but
I an only a saiiorman in his service
II there is lighting / fight wnile l see
that I am the stronger, but When l go ~
fhat / may die I run away We are
..ts,,t surely YOU would not run away
and leave Messer Carlo TO be killed.
would your
..No Vito answered quite simply
THAT would be another anair: II
would be shame to go home ahVe a
the master were Killed W nen one
r,,st die. one must. as God wills IL
NAV be for the master. ii may be Tor
Venice. But for myself, / ask your
WHY should I die for nothingz run
away. II is more sensible
-.You need not risk being killed IL you
do what I am going 10 ask. Zoe SAID
for after talking with the man sne
liked his honest face and thought none
the less OF him for his frankness. II
is a very simple matter"
What is it. excellency?"
You ns@d not call me that Vito,
answered Zoe. 4 want you to row me
At surset to the landing which is near
est TO the palace gate. IL must be the
dirty little one on this side OF the
Arnena tower. is IL not2"
Thai is II But without the masters
order"
Vito looked at her doubtfully. for he
had been reminded that she considered
herself a slave. and il occurred TO him
that she meant 10 escape in zeno's
absence
..Messer Carlo would wish me TO go,
II he were here" said Zoe, quietly,
and not at all as IL she were insist
ing. for she saw what was the matter.
II nzvs no doubt st is as you say
vito answered But have no orders"
There is a message from the master
to some one in the palace" Zoe ex-
pIained No one but L can deliver IT,"
THAT is easily said" observed Vito,
bluntly- There are no orders"
zoe felt the blood rising TO her fore