The San Francisco call. [volume], June 09, 1907, Page 15, Image 15

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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The San Francisco Sunday Call.
THE VIPER OF MILAN
CHAPTER IOUKTECX — Continued
IT was evening before Visconti re
turned, •weary from h!s survey of his
men. victorious after a fierce skir
mish with, some of Verona's merce
naries, led by Mastino's trusted Captain
Roccia.
The palace that till then had lain
«o quiet was suddenly a wild confusion,
a babel of noises, shouts and trampling
of horses.
Strange. Caring lights were thrown
across the courtyard; the torches flung
ragged, strangling: rays upon tho sides
of the palace, falling grotesquely on
the griffins that grinned either side of
tho arched door, falling across the long
rows of straight windows, and, for a
second. , on Valentino Visconti's palo
face, looking eagerly below. I~ T
"Dogs of Veronese"' cried Visconti,
turning his wild eyes toward the pris
oners. "They have cost us a wild hour."
And he had been in the thick or it;
bis rich armor was dented* the cm-
Viroidcred suvtout torn to rags. Vis
oonti's blood was up. la * iifiht even
the- Tonianl could not cay he lacked
anything save prudence. - -
Without alighting he took from Ms
head his ponderous helmet with the
viper crest and gave It to his page.
"We have given Roccia a taste of our
quality," be laughed, and pulled his
gauntlets off- "Where Is De Lane?"
"I am here, lord.** eaid Giannotto.
He stood at the duke's saddle, look-
Ing around him In confusion.
"What news. Giennotto?* cried Vis
coutl. "Thy pallid face seems too ready
to welcome me. Let me dismount."
"Hear me first," entreated the secre
tary, "before you dismount— before
anything — lord!"
"Quick with thy news then — stand
back, De Lana. I must hear this rogue."
Giannotto drew closer. *
"My lord, at noon today, Rlnalta, the
Tuscan captain, rode in. While Roccia
\u25a0was engaging you, some mercenaries
forced one of the gates, and before they
could be driven back, a. house j was
broken Into, some prisoners made **
The duke fixed his widening eyes
upon the speaker, and Giannotto shrank.
"What gate?" lie asked. "What
house? What prisoners?"
"The western gate, lord, and Agnolo
Yistarnlnl's house!"
With a sound of fury Visconti struck
st his secretary violently with the ends
of his bridle.
"And I was n&t told before:"
• it was held too email a fray, lord,"
said the secretary. "Could I tell my
Lady Valentine one gate was more to
you than another? I besought her 10
t»nd to you — I besought them all—
tould I tell them why?"
Even as he spoke De Laca rode up
resolutely.
"ilore men are needed at the western
?rate." he said; "the Germans have re
turned. I will lead them.** .
"Sal" cried Visconti: "I, De Lana."
The soldier looked surprised.
"You. lord? There Is no need — -"
"It is my will,** Vlscocti answered
fiercely. "At once, to the western
S^ate!"
At his cry tha soldiers flung them
iselvea again Into the saddle, and those
who still sat their horses gathered up
their reins.
"Your helmet, lord," cried the startled
squire; but Visconti swept him aside
and rushed bareheaded forward. Do
Una and his troop of horsemen aftet
him in a wild riot of sound and light.
Giannotto stood bewildered in the
doorway:- nothing left of the wild
tumult that had filled the- spaces save
echoing eheuts and tramping hoofs.
"Visconti is mad," he thought. "Ho
has ridden off almost unarmed: Now—
I wonder what may happen before he
returns from the western sate — the
night Is dark and — dangerous." '
And with a thoughtful glanco up at
the cloudy sky, Giannotto slowly with
drew.
CHAPTER FIFTEGJT
A Prisoner from Milan
nKSTISO ' DELLA SCALA was
proving himself. He had come
to within 15 miles of Milan.
Verona was his again; that
was In iUfelf enough to justify his al
lies* confidence.
Of them Julia Gonxaga's force^and
Ippoilto d'Usto's army lay at Brescia,
ready at any moment to advance.
Delia Seala's position lay nearer Mi-
Jan, and by far. the larger part of his
support was Carrara, duke of Padua's
contingent, led by the duke In person.
Between the* two forces, a quarter of
n. mile outside Delia Scala's camp, was
the c&stle of Brescia, at one time an
occasional residence of Barnabas, Vis
coati's father, and now a gloomy fort
ress, with an evil reputation: fop Bar
nabas, driven from Milan by his son,
had died there—with his wjfc — of
fever it was said. In a gorgeous tent
in the midst of Delia Scala's camp sat
Conrad yon Schulembours and the
younger D'Este.
It was the slumbrous hour after
noon; the air heavy with an approach
ing storm, and Conrad lounged lan
guidly on a low divan, playing with his
dagger. ' The war, although success
had fallen to his leader, had already
begun to weary this Indolent cavalier,
and even the sight of Milan In the dis
tance, where Valentine was imprisoned,
could not keep him from whining at
the hardness of his fate. A parchment
lay near him on the seat, and from
time to time he made some pretense of
looking at it: pretense only. \ -\u25a0/
In Delia Scala's force < Conr&d held
third command under tho duke of
Padua, who was immediately under
Mastino; but Conrad's post was largely
a sinecure, for though in the battle the
count's gaUant courage roused : Delia
Scala's warmest praise, he recognized
that his capacity for 'generalship was
small. ;
None the less Delia Scala trusted
him completely-- His heart full of his
one object, elated by hls< successes,
eagerly keeping his allies together.
Delia Scala hai small leisure to notice
Conrad's stifled yawns when : the* coun-i
cil *>t war was held, or the, fact that
he cave more thought to playing-cards ;
and chess with < Vincenzo than "to the
discipline and efficiency of the men un
der tils orders, r
For the fiftieth time he put the
parchment . down and turned; to Vin
cenzo. who lay along the floor, eating
nuts and- hurling the sbellsat the legs
of the sentry visible through the, flaps
set wide back for coolness. . .To ; make
the soldier jump at" a* telllng:shot: was
more Just ; then .to Vincenzo ' than the
taking of Milan. \ ; : — •
"I would there *,were ; some ' one i else
to read these dispatches,"; said" Conrad.
"I love not this part of soldiering.
When, think you/ will there bo another
city to be taken.' Vincenzo?'
"There was fighting, yesterday out- ;
•• r \u25a0 . \u25a0 • ,
side Milan," returned the boy. 'Thou
Khouldst have gone." ;\u25a0
"I asked the prince to let me, but as
ueual I was bade, stay at my post."
And Conrad rose with a , sigh of out
raged virtue and adjusted the points of
bis rose-colored doublet. : .
"Asked the prince:" mocked Vin
ctnzo; "thou shouldst have gone with
out asking him." ' .
"A dash on the walls," said Conrad,
"that is what we need, not this idleness
and skirmishing. I long to grasp my
sword and fly to my Lady Valentine's
rescue — but the prince "
"Tell me not." said Vincenzo. "I.
know Mastino .always counsels pru
dence, and I am weary of it."
"The. prince knows more of It than
we. doubtless." admitted Conrad. "Nev
ertheless, these parchments may wait
while I have a game of chess -with.,
thee." '
"May they, Count Conrad? And Is
chess thy notion truly?" said Mastino's
voice without, and unannounced he en
tered the tent followed by Tomaso'B
father, Giorgi Llgowi.
He was from head to foot in armor.
His eyes fell on Vincenzo and his face
darkened.
"For shame, Vincenzo." he said, with
ecorn. "Thou art no longer a child/
to Indulge In. there page's. tricks, and ']
much I . marvel Count Conrad j should
allow thee euch license."
Vincenzo rose sullenly
' "Leave us," continued Dell* Scala
with angry eyes. "And learn from
yonder soldiers to play the man. ami
wtara leathern jacket with more grace,
than a silken doublet. I am ashamed
of thee, Vincenzo."
D'Estc's beautiful face flushed crim
son.
*"Tis not -always the leathern jacket
comes out best at. time of need, nty
lord," he 6aid defiantly. "Try me in it
.in a fight."
Delia fc'cala's glance softened; he* laid
his hand on the boy's shoulder, gently.
"Thou art a D'Este. and my. brother.
Vincfcnzo. I do not fear, thy behavior .
in battle, only learn the harder part
to bear thyself while waiting."
Vlncento was melted, but not caring
to show it before Conrad, left the
tent without reply.
"He hath the making of a soldier In
him for all his willfulness. I pray you
pardon bis present idleness, my lord,
and hold me as the cause," said Conrad.
"I should have roused him sooner."-
Mastino glanced around. . It was tho
first time he had entered the German's
abode, and the lavlshness of its ap
pointments were not to his taste.
"This Is an hour of great need,
count.' he said .gravely. "The down
fall of Vlßconti cannot mean to ' you
what It does to me— lt cannot mean
to much to any man— but am I not
right In thinking it means all to you
to see the LaUy Valentine Visconti
freer
"All! All I care for* under heaven.
By. all the saints, prince, I will give
my right arm to serve your, cause, since
It serves her," cried Conrad.
Delia Scala's brown eyes observed
him keenly.
"I will ask a*servic* of you,- count,"
he said; "not thy right hand, nor any
feat of knight errantry, but something
full as difficult to render."
"Even if it be living on roots In a
dungeon, I will do it!"
And, excited at the thought of some
adventure. Count Conrad waited ex
pectantly, his hand upon his sword.
'. The prince smiled sadly.
"X fear it is & harder task than that,
Count Conrad, and bo distasteful that
I would not burden you with It were
there any other worthy to intrust with
it," he said. "But all the mftn here are
mercenaries— Captain Van vitelii is a
boor: Ligozzi goes with mo to Brescia,
whither I am Instantly bound to confer
with Ferrara."
"Prince, I .am .proud to execute
your- commands," interrupted Conrad
eagerly.
*Della Scala turned to Ligozzi, wno
stood silent behind him.
"See - that no one listens." he said :
and as Ligozzi disappeared and Mas
tino drew nearer to him. the count fell
back, impressed by the eagorness of
the noble face.
But the prince took him by the hand
affectionately. .
"Dost thou remember the huts out
side thy villa. Conrad— and Francisco
who rescued thee? lam giving thee a
trust. For his sake wilt thou be faith
ful r*
"To the death!" cried Conrad. "Prince,
I will be faithful to the death"'
"Count." eaid Mastino earnestly, "I
return from, Brescia tomorrow, -bring
ing D'Este up with me to Join in an as->
sault on Milan that will make the city
ours. I trust, within a week. Of neces
sity I leave Carrara for these hours In
command— almost all the men are his
providing— but."-, his voice . sank still
lower. ."I do not completely trust him—
I doubt his loyalty. I have misgivings
as to the use h© may make of my ab
sence, therefore," he paused and laid his
hand on Conrad's shoulder, "I leave you,
Count yon Schulerabourg, privately In
charge. ; Watch him— never leave him
out of your sight till my return." \u25a0'\u25a0-
"Good! I i understand! I swear!"
cried Conrad again. .
Mastino Delia Scala looked into his
eyes.
"I trust thee," ho said simply. "Thou
knowest how my wife's safety lies on
my soul— and if Carrara play false we
are well-nigh ruined. These weeks
have I. had, him under Ligozzi' a 'eyes,
day and night, and now. Thou must. take
my place." . Conrad kissed: Masttno's
hand In silence, , his emotional" nature
overcome to tears. .
"Come, my lord, the time wears," said
Ligozzi. and Delia Scala turned to leave.
At the entrance he looked back. ';
"Remember, r trust thee, and thee
solely, Coqrad." he said. As he dropped
tho flap behind him he, turned to Li
gozzi. . \u25a0;\u25a0
"Will he be worthy of it,- Ligozzi?" he
said. "But I must perforce' trust- him
when there ' Is no other." ' . -, .
: Outside the duke's tent his escort was
in readiness •to start ; and "his white
horse stood waiting, -held by^Tomaso.
"After all, " ray V lord,", .whispered Li- .
gozzi, "Carrara' may not be false." ; :
Mastino ' shook ' his head. ."He only
waits the opening," •he said.. . "Whatl
does console . me," he added, "-, "Is . that ' I
shall be' back tomorrow." -And \u25a0•], ho -
\u25a0 looked toward Milan? as he spoke.
"Ligozzi,'' he : . continued . ; -wistfully, I
."how long tho 'time seems -since I saw
her. The] last words ' I j heard her speak
are forever; ln : my. r ears': y' 'Whilst '; thou 1
Hyest I fear nothing*; "and I live, Ll
gozzlr -Sometimes I am ashamed of It!".'
\u25a0 "You*. live ; to free her," my, lord," . said
Ligozzi softly." .: \u25a0- •
Mastino' mounted; ln silence "Yes. 'l
live for that,".. he said.' after" a' pause. :
He turned and saw Tomaso watching:
him." v : \ - .:.'*\u25a0 .' : . :/-;. '\u25a0;.;.; ": .-.•; -. ": .'.\ .\u25a0: \u25a0
"Yes. \u25a0* Thou ;\u25a0• shal t i come ,wi th ,• us.'-'- he
smiled ; ! "onlyj mount in haste."; The time ;^
wears on." * "'.(•- "^ .•_";.\u25a0;',\u25a0\u25a0''*• '',:••\u25a0'\u25a0:'. \u25a0 ' r " :
At this '\u25a0moment, f oremost-amohgja \u25a0
iittleigroup'of ihorsemerir Carraralcan- \u25a0
tered ; toward * him/: black > eyed, smiling,''
richly 'dressed.'? aya v - plumed 'cap'- between 1
hisrBmooth;whlte,nngers.? r 7 \u25a0;."\u25a0•*. : -" :' ;r .
7~? "Farewell,' , ; Carrara." l'\ said ;.; Mastino. ;
' "Count i'voh". Schulembourg ;ls. second in
• command.' i;" 1 1 leave : all ' to \ your discre
tions subject ' to my"' orders, l^ already)^
given." 'WBMBR&^ : - : '- r - \u25a0' ' ''
Giacorao bowed, but 1 made no reply \u25a0
other than his smiling eyes. His medi
tated treasons were ripe for execution,
and he could scarce contain himself at .
the good fortune of it; Visconti's mes
senger had reached him . the same | day
that Delia Scala. rode away. There re
mained only Conrad." ,; - :
"Till tomorrow at noon," murmured
Carrara, repeating Delia ; Scala's last
words, as he ; watched him % ride away.
"An attack on , Milan,, in'less than a
week! You are mad for a woman's silly
face— in less than a 'week I shall havo
joined Vlsconti."-
Vlsconti: understood, the art. of brlb-.
cry and knew, whom to bribe. 1 Carrara,
v only '.waiting;; in the hope, of it, had
caught eagerly at the bait, and by tho'H
returning i messenger v had • ; agreed ;to
join Viscontl; and .leave Delia Scala
shorn .of nioro than ; half his forces.
Atid Maetluo, by his absence, had mada
It : child's • pPa'y. As Carrara -returned
now; to his;, own. tent,"- ; thinking *and
scheming, a .'captain of mercenaries
galloped up. . : . '.'\u25a0\u25a0 iy- ... '[[:\u25a0 -..'.,'
"The prisoners, my. lord, captured by
some of ; count yon" . Schulembourg's
men :in the scuffle ."outside-; Milan; yes-:
j terday are being.; brought into camp
is It;to;.you or .tohim we bring them?"
Carrara fingered his bridle.
. "Take them. to. the castle," ho said at
last.. "I myself \u25a0 will -see , them pres
ently."- . ' ?";t / ' \u25a0 : \u25a0' \u25a0
; He : glanced over his- ehoulderat*
Count Conrad's tent, f; Tho" embroidered
entrance was ; closed,', the; black and
yellow eagies ' fluttered I idly over, it— ;
there -was \u25a0no sign: of : the "young ' Ger
man. \u25a0-.". \u25a0. \u25a0_:' \u25a0\u25a0':\/.-':-' v -^. V --.-'*.. \u25a0•'\u25a0'\u25a0..."' .'i"*.: " :
The duke of ' Padua smiled-- :,
, "Are "those. the prisoners?" 'he askeTl,
pointing ..to; a";iittle "group *ot soldiers
guarding a, few; lnen. ',' . -;-;:';
"Yes, myilord.;.,Wo" had almost forced
the gates— when^a; 'band, rushed^out'j
and, there '.was "a -desperate | struggle;'
we -.were ; driven A back,;; and i; these ; fel-.S
lows, in : : the ; heat 'of ;' victory, * followed .;
too k ta.r.'i.;.- Then \u25a0 '\u25a0'\u25a0> we* j turned f; and had /.;
'them and; brought them' in ; for.' ransom/-
Tney: seemed; worthi lt.', \
"I will^go; and Cview>;them,"' said: 1
Carrara ; suddenly, and '? he\ cantered ;, his \u25a0
horse ; toward the \ 1 i ttl c \u25a0 group. : /. ; : \u25a0 • -.
.'Tho noise of A the -'prisoners' arrival f
was ; spreading," still 'there '.was ; no; Bign i
of Count Conrad; l and I again the! treach
erous .- Carrara J smiled.^But 'J In \ a "f mo- "
, ment more % the >. smile \had '}, faded. V\; He "I
noticed among , the/ prisoners^a.face-hol
; surely. : knew. : ; ; \u25a0 - '/;: "\u25a0;.': ."\u25a0'' '.;V..' : '; ;",'; ",' : v ;
.; : - Prudence' was Giacomo .Carrara'si rul
ing quality and helped him now to keep"-
hisswits. 1 ; - \u25a0\u25a0'\u25a0•/ \u25a0;';-/.' /":'"\u25a0; ,;:;\u25a0;,;, ; : ;oj-y. ; : : ;
.^','That; fellow yonder,'.' ho said, point- V.
\u25a0 Ing,; , "he ' with" tho red ' hair— who / Is • he? ; \
V - " r
;\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0 •."'Twas,*hei who led a the' chase," > was
the answer, ! v''screaming like: a madnianf-t
He is the squire' of f some ; nobleman^ and - ;
gave out he thought i we ; had • his 4 - master^
captive.V^" '"'-vV^.t. -•','& /'\u25a0."\u25a0\u25a0'/\u25a0 '--'' '''..'': V ' '
J: Carrara j \u25a0 ,
>£?£} *know; something? of \ him, -; : . unless; I \u25a0"•
: much.; miatake'./aldangerous*' rogue iiand ;
spy^place -him f apart.j; well J guarded-^i
in -a separate^-- cdmpartment.Vv* Pinion ';
, him.;. .Tonight we; wilT: put ihimr to jthe t
\u25a0question." ! >i :'-' : \/.i- •;.:'" :%s. : ::^^'^': '\u25a0"•\u25a0'\u25a0il'.irl'r
/'And { again >he '£ •.'\u25a0 glanced • ; toward the
German's 4. ten it. %\u25a0\u25a0: v Con rad^had^ noty fap
\u25a0 peared," T and I the) prisoners jwo und ; away ?
out of , slght'lhto^what^wasXoncetßarna-i^
b3s yisconti'sjisurainerl residence i'f and %
whero Barnabas, Visconti; not long since .
had.Uied. - '.X'
CHAPTER T SIXTEEN
For a Game of Cbeas
-.'\u25a0.'\u25a0\u25a0 : " HE day; was wearing into even-*
I ing when Conrad gave a last look
I in the little polished mirror
hanging .on the "tapestried^^w'aUs
of hlstent.and prepared to set out on
a tour of inspection, including a visit to
Carrara, who In' this moment's interval,
-he, thought, could not have gone astray.
. Delia Scala had been gone four, hours '
or more, but to the ; light-hearted Ger
man ; it seemed ; he ; had ohly^ an: instant
ago turned from his tent. S" .'.-I
rv.He fhad : ;. employed the; time ', in \writ->\ writ->
Ing' somet verses ;; (in -"imitation V of 7 the'
fashionable-Petrarch;* a production with ;
; which •. ho > was "• perfectly ' satisfied, "i and ,;
: put aside, to be fair. copied by. some one,
!a spelling >than'< him-'.;
self). In teaching Vittore to "dance, and ,
in ; changing j his i >; < :. ~" \u25a0 ;
\u25a0; J Count Conrad;was:yery careful of his "«
. doublets. V v i He f= had /a ; great" many, .; and 5 ;
'. kept them carefully; locked in .tho large .
coffer that; stood .at .the. head of his
tent; bed.; J 7'vi ?; v •\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0''•'"•\u25a0 ;'-•*,. \u25a0>:-''.' \u25a0.'\u25a0 'y'Ji< ;; :
f-; < The^one : he donned; todsy, was "elegant J
in tho extreme; peacock purple over an
i under?' garment of ? i rose; a .curiously ,:
s' shed « with - cream.* Vlttorer>wbo had '
; become -j his y page, -. was silent f- at f (the ;•
magnlflcence. \u25a0.^.'/ iL: -
•;- Conradlsighed 'as c ~he ; smoothed the
\ ruffles \u25a0; at % hl3 > wrists :to = think ; It ; might -
i not be the latest mode. I . He \u25a0 felt: far. f rora^
civilization,^ \u25a0 though Konly.^ twice, a seven?
: miles % outside^ Milani ; and /secretly : re- .
grette'd jyiscontl'^Vhadi
\u25a0 ever* dazzled i him 3 into ' 3 the^ imprudence I
of'losingiher^brother'sUaYorjandiWith*
r.if- the ?joys|of^a?splendid? court^s Still*
ue had g exquisite leathern > shoes 1% . wlth t
I points : a 'yard I long.*: caught 'up f and ! fas v!
• tened Sby a> chain ;. tO;l his f. knee: g also/ a*
" cap.^j garnished xwith I a^ruby.- and i af curNi
j Ing feather," and,', taking it f rpm^ittore^
'he stepped out . to begin ? bis espionage
of.' Carrara. 1 ".- ,<K : -/ : :.'^-'< ;-^l: : -:~~:y'-? ./v^'^-'c;
-\u25a0 "Vittore.'' follow, me,", he uaid. ; VI have
1 it I in i trusts to J see iV. this 11* black I browed 5
I duke ; gets ilntof not inlschletf? Also,','i he i
\u25a0\u25a0 continued^it'tis ; in; my mind I to^flnd \
\ cenzo. '.': •£ Delia : Scala '/^ was p severe V this
\u25a0 nobn.'^; I.?feartme = the iboy * has gone 1 to * ;
practice • sword, play." *- /,. ', . ?*? *
\u25a0J" ?" •y»TC aT I l V>i*v as J/i vie t j arid \ tfah q j ul \:% It "l
\u25a0;'struckTconf;»d.^howeVer^thVitJmany; ".at I
iCarrara's*'menJ,wereleng»ged their"
-horsesP^ihdjlmp*ckihg*thejwagbnB;rbut
; carried ! on ? 'so^op'enly'M in Abroad i daylight."
it aroused no suspicions on '\ the. part ;of ':
{ the i'easy I VonlSchulenibourg.^who ''made 1
- toward | Carrara's tent, sin gin g 'gayly.^g
> IlThejs alri;\vas % heavy/|, the W sky S black |
about the horizon. _ " .. ", •
rtbreC^ Let? metse'e,^ art thou fafraldf of |
jtnund«^^rid^W|to^pok^to|^Ti^
passed without ceremony Into Car
rara's tent. .• " \u25a0 '
The duke was there, but not expect
ing Conrad, and as he raised his eyes
at his sudden entrance,, hip look would
have struck any save th* light hearted
fop as strained and : anxious; but the
German had personally no doubt of
Carrara, and the duke's ready smile de
ceived him: utterly. .^ .. - ; 5
;'*So your men move tonight, my lord?**
he ; said.'} "The prince - never, mentioned
Itvto me.7 -.•..-...'\u25a0•.\u25a0 >- . \u25a0; \u25a0.:•\u25a0•..-\u25a0\u25a0 : - - .
ISiyitlWas*. a final resolve,".^ answered
. Carrara, v "I ; have . my,, orders here,", and
he tapped a parchment beside him."
"Ah!" Conrad ocver even took the
parchment up, but glanced through the
opening of i the \u25a0 tent at; the '\u25a0 threatening
sky. ! "You ', move - nearer Milan, o{
course?'* > .\u25a0;, ./ : ; '\u25a0'. - • •".
Giacomo kept his eyes on the floor.
•'U ." Nearer." Milan," ; ; b« replied. : .' "Tea:
but we do not break camp until the
morning, count. I You and : th* rest ,. re-*
main • here to. join the prince." t Carrara
looked ' also out ' into the thunder laden
air, , but not at the sky : —at the f castle,
frowning black above tb« encampment. :
-"An officer: of mine," said Conrad
carelessly, ."said something, to ; me «f
some prisoners.'* . •\u25a0:*.:<\u25a0, ,:
- "Yonder ) at the castle, count will;
you question them with me?" asked
Giacomo smoothly. ySttffi&&pst*r? l! ?'* 1 3
"Question them!" laughed the count.
."YO'i may have that task, my : lord!— .
and * shall know then where you are/
ne added under, his . breath. , :
Carrara kept bis eyes down, lest even
Conrad should; see the excitement ,ia
them.; :; ; .,- .'.."; ..;.-, -.>'\u25a0;/•\u25a0 ,'\ .il~. :"''\u25a0. :.L--' r . : .;
. ."Possibly '. even \ I may .' not : question ,
them tonight." count,"" he returned with
a.' smile. .; :'l \lntend to rest now, as we
march at dawn." \u25a0\u25a0';'.;:. " ••; ; V
Conrad rose, with a pleasant feeling
of having done i his duty,' though . in , his
heart a little" annoyed that Delia Scaja
had not trusted him with the movement
of the army.
"Thevthought of shls wife" has mad*
him ; crazy."; he said *to himself. • "Giv
ing 'Giacomo credit i for| treachery, still
Ihe *. entrusts him i with '^ orders " he with-"
; holds even >the knowledge jof from me.**
And leaving Carrara, lie went, in search
of Vincenzo.4 -'; ( : , *" . '.
;s:,Giacomo, Giacomo ?. sat y silent ; till the * count's
j laughter had died away In the distance,
then, rose with a passionate exclama
tion at '\u25a0: his ; own luck I and \u25a0 Mastino's
blindness. \u25a0/ : ; \u25a0' '. . : ' v - /
-\u25a0; Without v a question the; count (left
in trusts Carrara , knew, as plainly as if
he Y had ; been told) 1: had swallowed his
lies, and left him to do as he pleased
while he reveled with ;, Vincenzo d'Este.
Seeking : the entrance s once |» more, - Car
rara looked outlntOithe heavy evening.
V In that ? great c»*tle Visconti was a
prisoner.: x;v:;\, " ;"- .;\u25a0
V; with- his " own eyes \u25a0 he had
seen < Giair Visconti^bound betTVeeri the
soldiers," he") could '\u25a0- not "rest ; for ; his : Im
patience to see him again and ' have it
confirmed \ before , any ; other eyes ; should
recognize this rare prize. ; \u25a0'-\u25a0 : \
f?Xi Tonight Carrara's army was to desert
;to / Milan. : : That bad \u25a0 been * already, i ar •*
ranged with t Viscontl's ; disguised ; xhe3
senger.^ltisbould^stlirdesertrbuttyis-,;
contlswas^nowf a i prisoner^ his f life
Carrara's : hands— there must Ibe slightly
.other; terms between :: r them/ ' v t ; J; c
vX* To^be if In a position to dictate to such
a man! Giacomo stood in the gathering
dusk," ; waiting : for.? the \ dark, _-; his % eyes
on % the . cas tie * that i held Gian": Galeazzo
Maria' Visconti. duke (of Milan— a pris
oner, -ac"^-'"- \u25a0 '':'. '•£\u25a0>';. :l :\u25a0-( '.\u25a0:'"';-""> ' \u25a0; v ; .;. ;
•.V-. 1 : ,•';\u25a0':: ;- : '-. \u25a0' '\u25a0-* \u25a0 <\u25a0*'\u25a0%*'-- : ;..;''; -,'\u25a0 ..\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0:.
"The* storm nears: how hot good St.
•Huberti""' howj hot!".* And Conrad tossed :
the ; damp curls , back from j his forehead.
The entrance of; his .ten t was flung open j
to admit what little air there might be,'
' showing^ to Jithe^ soldiers J without % Cou^,:
rad land y . bend in g foyer ': a ) game
of i chess;« ori| a "£ tableVnear 'were flasks
of ijvlne ; and Jelegan't > glasses; ] along rjho '
floor l.Vlttorel lay,; half ; in a heavy 'sJe'ep.!
';'. /.The 1 tent \ was * lit >by T jeweled • lamps,'
and -by vtbelri^Vdull flight ° Vlhcenzo'3 !
beauty "shone f - with : i almost 5 unearthly
,brllliancy."S:? He '.was '/clothed *' ln;i white,'
his I thick ; ; black ' hairj falling * about' his
shoulders.?./ r \u25a0\u25a0'\u25a0.;\u25a0: :j ••;•\u25a0,\u25a0"\u25a0 -,;?.*';';'' " •\u25a0
a Evidently . Mastino's . reproof vwasV al- •
; ready}; forgotten.l : : -He ? leaned : forward ,
; Wi th | cheeks * and \u25a0\u25a0} parted j- llp?»/;
ifeager and I intent; on r a victor y" at . che as ;
price; of ' it^far from his
'thoughts.'^' : Vs :"j •'.'T"'-"''*.*.''' 5 '-.•:"\u25a0 - : ~'-' '\u25a0•'.
i^fHark!" . said ; Conrad. "Thunder!" y *
;^Ajlow '.rumble j filled , tent, ; - D'Este i
tookf noi heed. I V V: i?\£; '•' ;V :, \ N ""' :" j
take i thy t knight," he.'saAd;,
~-;y.%'U '*'
|| Conradj laughed; l hejdidt hot take v the .
game\ so] seriously. ; r ;;i •;' '' '. ' \u25a0
JiSri Trill .visit' Carrara," \u25a0 he • said,: rising, "
i*and|gotthelrounds^i^:v \u25a0;> -\u25a0 : : \u0084 -,. s - ; ;
" "Thou wilt, finish- the game." said
Vincenzo angrily. "Does It pall the
moment thoufailest to win?**''." .' "
"My faith. I fail whea it palls. Bat
doubtless thou wilt win yet,' If thou
dost not grow too - hot." and Conrad
fanned the boy with the points of his
sleeves.
Vlncenzo's lustrous eyes flashed.
"Doubtless- 1 shall, count," he drew
from his finger an emerald ring,' "and
I win stake this on it."', -
He dropped It on the table with a
rattle, and Conrad was animated at
once. -\u25a0\u25a0 . ;- " ' * --±~ . ".;'•. ..•\u25a0..:\u25a0 '\u25a0
"And. l this," he cried.* *>iy_ forfeit If
the game is not mine In 'fonr mores^
He placed \\\s pearl thumb ring be
side Vlncenzo's emerald. -,;> .. t
;-; "Four moves r;. cried Vincenzo scorn
fully, and leaned back with shining
eyes. Conrad reached for the glasses
. with a ~ glance • of ; good ; humor \u25a0, at the
dozing page. : ;i ; .~:. 1
."A night .from the Infernal regions!"
he said, as he poured 'out the .wine.
"How. does Vlsconll feel> tonight? Me
; thinks some r kinsfolk of his from be
low are' abroad."/'," . ?
: ; yincenso emptied V; his . glass and
moved. '.'[', -\u25a0"'.;< \u25a0'.-.-..'. ' .Vr
; . Conrad > : emptied his and. counter
mofed. Z 4 ! - hope i thy emerald was not
a lady's gift." be laughed. '" '
\u25a0 Vlncenxo - bit hi 3 lip. reflected long
and moved again. . . -
Conrad I turned to . the : slender flasks
and; lifted them, one . after* the other;
empty all. . " . .
"Vittore!" he called. "Vittore!'*
i; The boy rose, rubbing his eyes, half
dozed. . . '
'; "Bring ius more wine. Vittore." Con
rad turned to the board again and
laughed at Vincenzo's Intent face. *^Jly
move,". he said; his. plump hand hesi
tated \u25a0'* scarcely a breath. "Check,
Messer r Vincenzo." ;,
..;."This Is no light; to Pay by," cried
Vincenzo, and 'in annoyance he moved
withtoo little thought. ' ,
"Conrad waited pro vokingly till fresh
wine had been brought and drunk, pat
• ted Vl t tore's ; head, " and , turned .-, to the
game again.. ;\V
: "Mate, " Messer Vincenzo, In three
moves." And he leaned back. with. tit*
calm air of a conqueror.*, "' . . ;
-Vincenzo roso In a passion, dashing
his • glass to the ground. .. .
"I Jjuestioh thy. fair. play," he cried.,
•;. .."And I thy -discretion." returned the
count, and his v eyes . were suddenly
wrathful. //' Thou art a child, and canst
: not. play: and so like a child cry out:
'You cheat.'" SBEaj^aBgBBM
"I -said no "word of cheating," re
\u25a0 turned V'-ls .; the "accusation
one you 'are accustomed to, Count Con
lrad?V : ; -
, -'Conrad : crimsoned. "Play another
tlmeAwlth thy equals, boy, . and take
better care not to insult thy betters!" '
; ''Betters!? v And .Vincenzo laughed In
reckless scorn, his' hand on his toy-like
dagger. \ "A' D'Este demeans himself. to
play with; thee-^-thou German.upstart!"
. '\u25a0/\u25a0 But Conrad .".was "to '.be moved no
•more.: "With v a ;\u25a0 smile - more .provoking,
than; any, reply. he picked up the rings
and slipped them on his finger.
/ißut^Vlncenzorhot tempered and pas-"
slonate," sprang "» forward with j boyish
\ paSSion.V. -•-•:?' '"*•; ;/ , - '.
"Thou ; shalt not ; havo . the emerald,"
; ho 'cried.- 1 ; :
f;;*'Must'ilTflghtifor.jt?" smiled Conrad;
and , glanced . at Vincenzo's little dagger.
' ; VThe .- emerald C' seems -worth' it— only 11.
should ,be \u25a0 afraid [of. 1 hurting; thee.'V And
as . he spoke he : poured out * more wine,
drinking: lt gracefully. •
:Z "I ; will ?\u25a0 fight only with an * equal,"
said .Vincenzo." , " . , '• ..
Conrad turned on him, and for all his
smile his iblueeyeswere'dark. ; -"Thou:
reckless , boy !" he said.' \u25a0 "The Germans
are ' the .-> lords vof ** Italy/.. What \ 1» , thy
? famllyibut •• a\ fief 5 to ; the .emperor?"
• Vittore s had v, .watched , the , scene ".{ in"
; terror. J^Tomaso p had * ; let '\u25a0 him ", know
. Dellaj Scala niad ; left =' Schulembourg *In
trust, and he felt bis master was hardly
acting as the duke hadi,mearit.T- .In
; childlike ."\u25a0 fashion.:' eager ; to \u25a0, stop 4 ; the
quarrel^ he spoke 'his thoughts. '',>/\u25a0
:;A'',<"My ,i lord," ', he 'j, said, "shall ; 1 ? not \u25a0 ac
. company ; you j: to 2 the ; ; duke ->6f ,~ Padua's
: tent.* 1 asjthe^prince .commanded?'^'. -,-" *"
"":[ "Commanded !7 ? cried - VineenzoV catch
ing at- the' words.;, ; , "Aye.} Count Conrad.
;'remember.| my . brother's rcommands!"
""1\ remember" Tnone." ..returned;, the
count (*;' haughtily.', ; : "What ' dost '.thou
mean, boy?*; PBBBBBS^^V''
*j^Butf.Vlttoreilost his courage under
the v angry . -
; >>"Only;> my; lord, what - you ,; said." he
stammered, "about; keeping; watch "upon
; the fduke^of; Padua." -.: : .: \u25a0 ;
J-S^SoJyou Vwere > left as 'a spy T' sneered
iVinCenzo/Afis <that :.It?«f;iMake chaste;
'as you were told. aaU see what .he 13
doing. "\u25a0 '.\' - "•-\u25a0\u25a0;- -
Conrad.* flushed with wine, allowed
the boyish 'sneer to goad him Into
fury.
"I play the spy at no one's bidding."
,he said. "I do not leave my tent to
night." And he Sung himself on the
coach, i.
-V "But /what did the dnke order? It
wlll.ro ill with you when he bears
ot "dljtobedience." sneered Vincenzo.
"Let It go well or ill. I will not leave
my \u25a0 tent : tonight on any errand, save
I choose." Count Conrad's words
were; heard by -another than Vine en so
and Vittore. Giacomo Carrara, who lis
tened outside.
' fh« storm-wind was beginning to
howl and the rain to fall in heavy
drops.' but the duke of Padua only
thanked bis good fortune for such pro
pitious weather, as be turned away and
made rapidly .toward the castle to
question the prisoners.
CHAPTER SEVE.VTEEM
:„\u25a0 Tk« Tcmn •( t%« A Hf*t
"\u25a0' J'"* HE storm liad ri»*n. th« low
I . whißpering of the wind, the dis
• I tant rumbles .of the thunder.
. Catherine oa&eeded, bunt suit
de^ly Into t ttmpeic
Ita Very fury spoke It brief, but
many cowered and shrank before It.
as If its termination must bu the ter
mination of the world. And to no on«
did it strike .; more . fear than to th«
solitary prisoner in tha castle of
Brescia—^GLan Visconti. In obedience \u25a0
<to Carrara's orders, he had be*a placed
In a separate chamber, as far from the
other prisoners as space allowed. His
chamber was a circular. raultUka
space, once serving as antechamber to
a • gloomy . suits of rooms beyond. In
which Barnabas VUeoati -had chosen
to beguile tha summer heaL The doors
of this suite were locked; Gian Vis
conti himself had locked them, when
be and bis father last came there to
gether. This vaultlike room was high
and ID* lit, and, la the blackness of tho
storm. , pitch dark. iVtscontl sat un
derneath one of the windows, whither
he bad dragged the wooden stool, the
-sole furniture the place contained; hla
face was buried in hla hands, and ho
writhed in horror. v
The wind howled and tors at tha
locked doors, making them creak and
SToan; the thunder, shook the build
ing: and at ersry fresh convulsion VU
eontl shrieked aloud )n unison.
Th* llfhtninr. flashing blue through
the crevices, seemed to play about
that inner door, and he cowered
from the sight, aa4 bit at his fingers In
a fierce endeavor to resist the madness
seizing him.
It was not so very long ago that he
had turned the great key behind him
In that ponderous door, and ridden from
the deed he had done, shouting through
the mtdnjght. He thought then never
to return, and here he was* thrust In
alone, and his madness on him. Vis
conti staggered from hi* seat, groplns
blindly. ,
The blackness seemed to whirl with
faces land clutching, tearing fingers:
he knew not where he was—he could
see nothing— blackness and space—
seemingly nn bounded.
- Another flash revealed to him that he
had drawn near that Inner door — In tho
:' Instant It was visible; it seemed 'to
opes aad shut— quickly.
' Visconti fell back against the wall.
. and wrestled with his terrors as If
they were some living thins;, and again
with savage 'teeth he bit In La his flesh.
But the floor was opening beneath
him. opening Into gulfs deep and still
deeper, bottomless.
"I am mad"* said Visconti. and
shrieked and howled with the storm.
It did not. help him; he heard hurrying
feet through all the alarm of the temp
est, hurrying to him behind that locked
door. Let him not look, for what he
feared to see the dark could not con
ceal—and now they were at the door,
and now they .were fitting a key.
"Keep away:" he yelled.
Then , he x stood. - bushed, with bated
breath, eyes starting Into the black
ness, listening. And through the dark
he heard the creaking and twisting of
the key. the slow opening of a heavy
door. the. groaning of the hinges as It
opened, slowly. • .
The wind howled In a % wild gust, and
suddenly through the narrow window
there showed the black sky torn la
two by the lightning flash. As it circled
the chamber.- Visconti raised) bis head—
tho door was open. And through the
opening/two faces, peered— they were
not human faces— Visconti -ka«w them
when they were.
Utter blackness followed upon tho
vivid flash, and the thunder crashed
and -rolled, and at last the rain cams
with a mighty roar.
"I -am -in hell!" yelled Visconti. "I
•am • dead and In ; helir* And , maniao
shrieks arose. He dragged himself to
tho narrow slit that made the. window,
and some of the heavy rain drops were
dashed In upon his 1 face. '^f^^S^jpHPJ^M
. "I am alive!" he cried, "alive! • It
does not rain in hell!" He dropped, and
lay prone along ' the - ground. After
a while he rose, and began groping for
the outer door.
The walls, seemed to rock and twist,
but on his face and band was the cold
splash 'of the rain, and Visconti kept a
hold upon his self-control, saying bs«
tween his teeth: "A light; If I can get
a light."
.. He found the door, and struck It with
the fury of madness. ,
There was . no response. Again \u25a0ha
• struck ;' and / shouted. The worst haj
gone by. but only to leave. his thoughts
centered on one Idea; to see a human
face and In the light.
Suddenly,', in the midst of his blows,
the door opened, showing a glimmering
light, and In the entrance the figure of
a soldier, woo looked, fearfully around
the chamber.
**I ! thought it was the, fiend himself
who. called!": he said, and crossed him
self. ;\u25a0,..' - \u25a0••
.'- Vlaconti clutched his arm. "It was '
the flend." he said. "Lesions of them —
the place is haunted! Give me a light!"
'."The soldier shrank back In horror at
his words, at his hardlyihuman eyes.
' "Santa Maria!" he'muttered. "I have
heard '; evil 1 tales of this castle; the
storm.! too. Is fearful — '*.
*"Give me a light," said VlsconU:
••give'me a light."
-. "None. of the prisoners have lights—
s it* is forbidden—"; began the man. but
Gian Maria cut him short.
','A light, I: say!" and he put his blood
marked hand 1 upon the other's shoul
. "Thou heardst the flend scream— and
It t was the flend. Wilt thou 1 givo me a
lightT^iqAßHffipaHHHAMttH
' The. frightened 'soldier shrank from
hlm'anew. •• "
/f*Thou | are distraught.** he cried with
\u25a0 a -; paling' fn r r *Jf^ffl)HrtM|
Visconti laughed wildly. —Do I not
say.so? Olve me the lantern!" and he
held" out ;V hls . finger. ;on \u25a0 which' i there '
blazed a splendid -.ring. ' "Would «any
ordinary, prisoner -wear, a Jrin*/.llke
4 this?; 4l» .teir>thee .It Is a coal
hell. . and I vwlll give it thee-^-for thy
\u25a0 lantern. See. ', how "it shines: C try ! If ; I t.
will -burn "thee » to j the * bone,' V and , he \u25a0
• stripped it : from^hls finger.: dropping < it >
on the pavement at the soldier's feat.
(To Be Continued.)