The San Francisco call., 1908-05-17

OHeF IN low voice.
They will be here in half an hour,
he said. Meanwhile I will send you
wine to drink Are you hungry?'
Hungry" Tocktamish laughed at
the recollection of the peacock. Il
never dined better But send me some
wine, and when we divide 1 Kill have
that white faced girl for ~ share.
The men may have the money here.
Tell them So"
He slapped the well filled leathern
sack at his girdIe as he spoke.
GAS you please Gorlias answered in
differently.
He stepped to the ground again and
reached the door in time TO enter with
the last of the train that followed Zoe.
In the dining hall things had been left
as they were when TocStamish and
Omobono went out. The table was in
confusion, and flooded with wine that
had run down to the floor. and two or
three chairs were upset. Gorlias filed
a silver pitcher with Chan; but when
he turned toward the window Zoe was
the only one who saw him empty into
the wine the contents of small vial
which he seemed TO have had ready in
the palm of his hand. He called Carlos
man.
Take it to him.. he said. You can
easily pass it through the bars"
1T Is not much wine" observed the
man doubtfully. He will drink that
at a draught.''
"If he asks for more. fill the pitcher
again." answered Gorlias. IF he falls
asleep, let me know"
The man went Off
Clear away all that" said Zoe to
the men servants who stood looking on.
The master must not find this con-
fusions when he comes home"
Her tone and her manner imposed
obedience. and. besides, they knew that
Tocktamish was safe for awhile. They
began to clear the table at once, and
Zoe left the room, followed by Gorlias
and her two maids, who had been silent
witnesses of what had passed.
Upstairs they left her alone with the
astrologer and disappeared to discuss
In whispers the wonderful things that
We're happening in the house.
Where is he?" asked Zoe, as soon
as the maids were gone.
He is in dry cistern near the north
wall of the city"
"Hiding?'
"No-a prisoner. In escaping last
night he ran among the soldiers who
were to have helped US, and they held
MIN for ransom. The Tartar came
to extort the money. You know all"
AT least he is safe for the pres
ent." Zoe said, but very doubtfully
for she did not half believe what she
said.
NO" Gorlias answered: "he is not
safe for long. and we must get him
out They demand ransom. but they
know well enough that even if they
get it they will not dare to let him go
word
What viii they do?'
If they can get the money they will
let him starve to death IN the cistern.
II they do not. they will give him UP
TO Andronicus for the reward. The
emperor has proclaimed that he will
give 10 pounds Of gold to any one who
will bring him Carlo zeno. dead or
alive That is not enough"
The emperor knows 1t was her"
asked Zoe with increasing anxiety.
Yes"-
"How?"
Il do not know. Some one has be-
trayed u.s.
us alp
Il fear So"
But you yourself' Do you dare go
aboutw
II have many disguises. and thsy
who know the fisherman do not know
the astrologer."
But II you should be taken?"
"a man cannot change his destiny.
But look here. 1 have something from
Johannes already, He has changed his
mind. he regrets not having let US
take him out last night, and he sends
me this by the captains wife"
Gorlias produced parchment docu-
ment.
what is it?"
THE gift of Tenedos to Venice"
."Ahis If Messer Carlo were only
free!''
""Yes-ifr" Gorlias shook his head
thoughtfully. TT will not be easy to
send an answer to this" he went on.
The woman brought it to. me at the
risk of her life and said 1t would be
impossible for her to come again. The
guard is doubled. and very different
watch will be kept in future I do not
believe that we can bring Johannes out,
as we might have done in spite of those
fellows last night. Yet l am sure that
IL Messer Carlo were at liberty he
would try. He would at least send
word in answer to this. But the days
are over when we used to send letters
up and down by a thread-the tower
is watched from the river now"
Can you not get in by disguise?"
NO. There is not the least chance
of gaining admittance at present
II could" said Zoe. confidently. II
am sure I couldl II 1 went In carrying
a basket of linen on my head and
dressed like a slave girl in blue cotton
y \
they would let me go to the captains
wife"
What II your basket were searched
and the letter found?'
II would put 1t into my shoe. They
would not look for 1t there"
You would run fearful risk
"For him. IL 1t were any use" Zoe
answered. But 1t will not help him at
all, and IL anything happened TO me he
would be sorry. Besides. why should
we send message that pretends to
come from Messer Carlo when he him
self is prisoner"
This is the case" Gorlias answered.
The soldiers Will never let him out till
they feel safe themselves. and the only
7 way to make them sure that there is
no danger is really and truly to bring
Johannes out and set him on the throne
again. So long as Andronicus reigns
and may take vengeance on them they
win keep Messer Carlo a prisoner to
give up at any moment or to starve
him to death for their own safety un-
less they murder him outright. But
do not believe that any ten OF them
would dare to set upon him. for they
know him we'll"
Zoe smiled. for she was proud to love
a man whom ten men would not dare