The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-04-19
ADMIT "a :cR Pyjncess ~, - aNgGy~
AFLm1 5yanar0n A. &c

edge.
~The tail block is fast to the end"
he whispered. '-and the other line is
already rove. with the basket at Ons
end of it, When YOU are aloft you
must haul up the climbing rope and
make the block fast-you understand"
'Of course Zeno answered; II have
been to sea"
whistle when you are ready and
will answer. AS he comes down can
check the rope with a turn round n
smooth stone I have found at the cor
ner Of the tower. You must come
down the climbing rope at the same
time. and steer the basket as well as
you can with Your foct7
Yes. Is all fast above?"
Gorlias listened
Not yet" he whispered. Wait for
the signal"
II came presently the cry OF the
Owlet repeated, as Gorlias had repeated
1t. ZenO heard it and began TO climb.
while Gorlias steadied the rope. though
there was hardly any need for that
The young Venetian walked up with hts
feet TO the wall. taking the rope hand
over hand. as IL he were going up a
bare pole by a gantline.
When he was 20 feet above the pier
and was fast disappearing in the dark
ness. something moved in the boat. and
white face looked up cautiously over
the gunwale. 1t was a wOman's face.
ZenO had stepped upon her with his
whole weight when he was getting
ashore. but she had made no sound.
Her eyes tried to pierce the gloom. to
follow him upward in his dizzy ascent.
Soon she could not see him any longer,
nor hear the soft sound of his cloth
shod feet as he planted them against
the stones.
Up he went. higher and higher Cor
lias steadied the end below, keeping
thrash about on the stones and make
noise. He could feel each of Zeno's
movements along the rope. and though
he had seen many feats in his life he
wondered at the wind and endurance OF
a man who could make such an ascent
without once croOking his leg round the
rope to rest and take breath But Carlo
Zeno never stopped till his feet We're
on the slight projecting holding OF the
highest story, and his hands on the
stone sill.
As he drew himself UP with a spring
his face almost struck the chest OF a
large woman who was standing at the
window to receive him. He saw her
outline family. for there was little
light from one small lamp placed on the
floor in the farthest corner OF the OBJ
long room. The tower was square. but
the north side OF the chamber was
walled off TO make space for the head
The single door was in this partition.
Zeno looked round while he took breath,
and he was aware Of tall man with a
long beard who stood on one side Of the
window and seemed inclined to fatten
himself against the wall, as if he feared
being seen from without even at that
height and in the dark.
The woman moved step backward,
and Carlo put one leg over the window
Sill and got in He took his skull cap
from his head and bowed low to the inn
prisoned emperor before he spoke to
the woman in a whisper
: Il will haul up the basket" he said.
and Ire laid his hands on the knotted
rope to do so.
But the tall man with the beard
|, touched him on the shoulder and spoke
! in a low voice.
, I'VE must talk together" he said.
Zeno hardly turned his head and did
, not stop hauling in the rope. Below
, Gorlias was steering the tail block clear
: OF the wall. lest il should strike the
! stones and make noise.
! This is no time for talking" ZenO
said When your majesty is free and
I in safety we can talk at leisure
; The knotted rope was coming in fast.
. Zeno threw it upon the floor behind
! him in a wide coil to keep il clear
: stop commanded the emperor. lay
, ing one hand on the Venetian's arm.
r zene set his foot on the rope to keep
! it from running out and turned to the
: prisoner In surprise.
: Every moment is precious" he said
IF we are discovered from outside the
! tower the game is up, and we shall be
e caught like rats in a trap 1 have a
{ basket at the end of this rope. in
. which you will be quite safe from fall
: ing if that is what makes you hesi-
: tate. Fear nothing. We are two good
Y men, / and my companion below.
$ You are a good man indeed. TO have
g risked your life in climbing here" an
Q swered Johannes
e He made a few steps. bending his
; still handsome head in thought. He
Z lirnped slightly in his walk. and he was
said to have only four toes on his left
: foot.
$ Zeno at once continued hauling up
d the rope. but a moment later the en-
d peror stopped close beside him.
e 1T is of no use" he said; Il cannot
I go with you
p Zeno was thunderstruck. and stood
D still with the rope in his two hands.
$ "Yeu will NOT gOe" he repeated. al
Il most stupidity You win not be free.
d now that everything is readyT'
: IT cannot. Go down your rope before
$ there Is an alarm. Take Gods blessing
e for your generous courage. and my
d heartfelt thanks. I am ashamed that I
t should have nothing else TO offer you-
{ l cannot GO.
: But why? Why2"
Il Carlo Zeno could not remember that
: he had ever been so much surprised in
d his life. and so are they who gather
e round the story teller and listen to his
e tale. But IL is a true one, and many
e years afterward one of Carlo ZenO's
grandsons. the good old bishop of Bel
n luno, wrote ii down as he had heard
Il IT from his grandsire's lips. Moreover
s it is history. The Imprisoned Emperor
e johannes refused TO leave his prison
o after Zeno had risked life and limb to
(. prepare a revolution. and had scaled
e the tower alone.
q '-Andronlcus has my little son in the
palace" said the prisoner. IF escape
e he will put out the childs eyes vie
I. boiling vinegar. and perhaps mutilate
e him or kill him by inches Save him
e first then I viii go with YOU"
? There was something very noble in
= the prisoners tone ard in the turn OF
$ his handsome head as he spoke Zeno
~ rf~rrr ar ~