The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-07-22

Use made to her over that cup of
wine which she had brot him with
her own fair hand, he dared not
present himself to her again. In
stead he dispatched a page to her
with the unwelcomed news of the
dukes refusal.
Yet in this matter Cesare Bor-
gia was oddly inconsistent. For
scarcely had Castrocaro left his
presence than he turned to his
white-faced secretary. sWrite me
three lines to Della Volpe," said
he, BORDERING that if Madonna BIZ
ance de- Fioravanti should attempt
to steal thru his lines and gain
San Leo, he is to offer her no
hindrance."
Agabito's round, pale counte-
nance reflected his amazement at
this order. But Cesare, surveying
him, smiled inscrutably for all
reply, and, from his knowledge of
his master and that smile, Agabito
perceived that Cesare was en-
barked upon one Of those tortuous,
subtle courses whose goal none
cold perceive. until it had been
reached. He bent to his task, and
his pen scratched and spluttered
briskly. Very soon a messenger
bearing the order was on his way
to Della Volpe's camp.
Tka4 1,.rrh& MoIny,on Dsn1,
ca considerably did what the duke
expected Of her. She slipped past
the Borgia sentinels in the dark,
and she was in San Leo by morn
ing, tho in Urbino none knew Of
this but Cesare, who had word of
it privately from Della Volpe. Her
palace by the Zoccolanti remained
opened as if inhabited by her, but
to all who came to seek her it
was said that she was in i'll health
and kept her chamber. And among
these was Lorenzo Castrocaro, who
upon being denied admittance on
this plea, concluded that she was
angry with him for having failed
to do as he had promised, and
thereafter grew oddly silent and
morose.
Two days after her flight came
news of Fioravanti's death in the
grim fortress he defended, and
Castrocaro was dispatched by the
duke of Cessna on a mission which
might well have been intrusted to
less-important officer. It was
ten days later when his immediate
return was ordered, and in view
of the terms Of that order, he went
upon reaching Urbino, all dust
laden as he was, into the dukes
presence, with the dispatches that
he bore.
Valentinois sat in council at the
time, and Della Volpe from the
lines under San Leo was in at
tendance.
You are very OPPORTUNITY re-
turned" was his greeting of Mes
ser Lorenzo, and he thrust aside,
as OF no consequence, the dispatch
es which the latter brought. eve
are met here to consider this re-
sistance of San Leo, which is be-
ing conducted now by Tolentino
with all the firmness that was
Floravantis. We must make an
end; and you, Messer Lorenzo, are
the man to accomplish it."
II" cried the young soldier.
"Sit," Cesare babe him, and o.
bediently Castrocaro took chair
at the table. Listen. you are to
understand that I am not COM
handing you to do this thing, for
command no valued officer Of
mine SO greatly to imperil his life.
I but show you what is our need
what might be done by one who
has your knowledge and whose
heart is stout enough to bid him
take the risk which the thing en-
tails"
The condottiero nodded his UNI
derstanding, his blue eyes set upon
the dukes calm face.
you told us here" Cesare con-
tinued, "of a perilous way into
San Leo which is known to few,
and to yourself among those few.
You said that if a man were to
gain the plateau on the southern
side of the rocks summit he might
----
N