"A BROWN PAUL--A LITTLE COPPER."
Such as they were, the troubles of the ancient and his crony Luigi
could not have ended soon, for although at first they were surrounded
by a jeering crowd, fresh things caught the minds of the people after
a little time, and they were left to themselves. As the following day
was a holiday in Todi, the inn-keeper probably let them lie bound
until he had more leisure on his hands, which were in truth full
enough, as the albergo hummed with custom. I never heard or saw
anything more of either of the villains again. We had time yet at our
disposal; but after an early supper, the horses being rested, we
started, and going slowly, with a halt on the right bank of the
Paglia, we crossed the Tiber near San Fortunato, and Perugia lay
before us, bright in the sunshine. In order to throw any pursuit off
the scent, for if by chance inquiries were made about us, they would
be at the southern gates, we made a turn east, then struck north, and
getting over the numberless trenches lying between us and our point,
eventually entered the city by the Porta del Carmine. Here Jacopo,
under my secret instructions, let the guard handle his wine-skin,
buzzing out as if in the confidence of the cup, that we had come from
Fabriano in the Marches and then gave them the day. We rode on,
leaving the ward at the gate to finish the skin, and found very
comfortable house-room in the Rubicon, an hotel kept by Messer
Passaro, which lay behind the house of the Piccinino family, "close to
the Duomo, the citadel, and the gallows," as the landlord, who thought
himself a merry wag, informed me whilst he received us at his door. I
took the best room available for myself, and saw to the wants of my
followers and the horses, who were as well as when they started. I
left them in comfort, bidding Bande Nere make ready to accompany me
out at noontide. Dinner I ordered at twelve, inviting the landlord to
crack a flask of his best thereafter with me. He accepted with
effusion; my object in doing this being to try and get as much
information out of him as possible, as I saw he had a loose tongue and
a gossiping heart, and I was resolved to leave no stone unturned in my
search for Angiola. It wanted two hours or more for dinner, and having
bathed and changed my attire, I sank me down in an arm-chair to enjoy
an hour or so of repose.
After dinner mine host appeared, bearing with him a cob-webbed flask.
"It is a wine of France, excellency--Burgundy--and all my customers do
not taste this, I can tell you."
"I am favoured, indeed, Messer Passaro; take a seat, and help
yourself."
"The condescension of your excellency!" and with a bow he settled
himself on the extreme edge of a chair.
We poured out our measures, and on testing the wine I found it most
excellent; as for Passaro, he pushed himself back into his seat and
let the liquid down his throat in drops, his eyes closed in an
ecstacy. When he opened them, which he did after a time, he gasped
out:
"Is not that glorious, signore? Have you ever lipped the brand?"
"I confess it is wine for the gods," I said. "Is there much in your
cellar."
"Store of it, excellency; I was not butler to His Eminence of
Strigonia for ten years for nothing."
"His eminence is a fine judge of wines."
"_Cospitto!_ And your excellency's forgiveness for swearing. He is the
finest judge in the world. There is no brand he could not name, nay,
tell you the year of vintage, were he blindfold and a drop but touched
his palate. _Corpo di Bacco!_ But he is a true prince of the Church."
"Ah! you are a sly dog, Messer Passaro," and I filled him his glass;
"I warrant me you could tell many a tale of the cardinal. But come
now, has not the Baglioni as fine a taste in wines, and a better one
for a neat ankle?"
"Hush!" he said, looking around him as he put down his empty glass,
"in your ear, excellency--the Count Carlo has big teeth and bites
hard. Let your tongue be still when his name comes up in Perugia."
"Thanks, friend, but Count Carlo owes me no grudge, or else I should
not be here."
"Your worship has come to join him then?"
"As you see, Messer Passaro," and I filled his glass again, "I am a
soldier and love to serve a soldier. Besides things will be on foot
soon, for what with the French at Passignano, war cannot be delayed
long."
"True, and a light has been put to the torch too."
"Hurrah! Another glass, man; we soldiers are sick of this truce. Our
purses run dry in peace. But tell me."
"You must know, signore, that all the country east of Castiglione to
the Tiber, and lying between the Nestore and Casale, is a fief of the
Castellani, and the Count--ha! ha! It was glorious!" and he slapped
his thigh--"ha! ha!"
Nothing irritates me so much as to hear a man laughing aimlessly, and
it was in a sharp tone that I said, "go on."
"A moment, excellency," and he held up a fat hand, "ha! ha! I had it
all from Messer Lambro, my cousin, and groom of the chambers to Count
Carlo. Well, all the fief I spoke of is inherited by the Lady Angiola,
the daughter of old Count Adriano. The family is Ghibelline, and have
taken the French side, and seeing that Tremouille was between us and
Casale, my lady must needs go down to visit her estates. The Count,
who is looking for a wife, buckles on his armour, mounts his mare, and
with two hundred lances at his back, gallops up the left bank of the
Tiber, fords the stream, swoops down on the dovecote at Rossino, and
brings back a bride to Perugia; ha! ha! It is superb."
"Ha! ha! Messer Passaro--diavolo! Are they married yet?"
"Not yet--ah! The wine is wine for the gods as your worship says--not
married yet, for my lady is half beside herself they say, and the
Count, receiving a sudden message from Cesare, has had to leave
Perugia for a few days."
"_Cospitto!_ How he must curse the Borgia for putting off his
happiness! And she is handsome, eh?"
"For the matter of that, excellency, one does not squint at a sour
face set in a golden coif. But they do say the lady is very
beautiful."
"You have not seen her then?"
"_Corpo di Bacco!_ She is under lock and key, and not for the likes of
me to look upon."
"In the citadel I suppose--a gloomy cage for a fair bird."
"Maybe, but I have let my tongue wag too freely, signore, and must be
going."
"Safe enough with me, Messer Passaro, for I am on the right
side--adieu!"
I made no further attempt to detain him, and he waddled off with the
best part of the now empty flask under his belt. I was sure he knew
but little more, and what I had got out of him did not amount to much.
At any rate I had discovered that Baglioni was out of Perugia, and
that she was still here. This was better than nothing; but worse than
nothing if I could not discover the place of her imprisonment. I threw
myself back in my chair, and racked my brains to no purpose. There was
nothing definite for me to get hold of, no clue of any kind. I thought
of getting the landlord to invite the Count's valet to drink a bottle
or so of his Burgundy with me, but the mere whisper of such a thing
would excite suspicion of a further object, and the slightest
suspicion would ruin the business. Bande Nere appearing at this time,
in accordance with my orders, I resolved to hang about the Palazzo
Publico, and see if I could pick up any information there. On second
thoughts I resolved to go alone, and dismissing Bande Nere, sallied
forth by myself. I went by way of the Piazza del Duomo, and here I
stopped in an idle manner, and was for a moment struck by the entrance
to the palace, which lies here. Over the gate was a splendid bronze of
a lion and a griffin, set above a series of chains and bars of gates,
trophies of an old victory gained over the Sienese. A crowd of beggars
surrounded me, but I was in no mood for charity, and drove them off
with a rough oath. One of the number, however, remained. He was lame
in both feet, supported himself on crutches, and wore a huge patch
over one of his eyes.
"That is right, excellency--drive them off--the scum, the
goats--pestering every noble gentleman. It is only to the deserving
your excellency will give--a paul, excellency--a brown copper for the
poor cripple--a million thanks, excellency--may this copper be
increased to you a thousandfold in gold."
"Begone, fool!" I said, and walked on; but he hobbled along at a great
rate beside me.
"But a favour, excellency. If your worship would but come with me, I
would show you a wonderful sight. A bird-cage, excellency; would your
lordship be pleased to buy a bird--"
I turned round in my anger, and raised my hand to cuff the rascal's
ears, cripple though he was, when he suddenly added: "Or _free_ a
bird, excellency--there is someone coming--a paul, quick--thanks,
excellency--may your lordship die a prince."
As he spoke a couple of gentlemen and their servants pushed by us, and
I gave them the road, the beggar hopping nimbly to my side. My heart
was beating rapidly, and all my blood tingling. Was I on the edge of a
discovery?
"No more riddles," I said, "who are you?"
"It is not safe to talk here, signore," he answered. "Follow me." He
started off across the square, hobbling along on his crutches and
wailing out, "A copper for the poor cripple--a brown paul--a little
copper?"
"By God!" I exclaimed to myself as I followed behind, "what does this
mean?" I had to find out for myself, however, and followed the man,
who stumped along at a rare pace, notwithstanding the ups and downs of
the side-streets by which we went. He never once looked behind him,
but kept up his cry of "a copper for the poor cripple--a brown paul--a
little copper," and once or twice, when I lost him in the crowd, the
cry served as a signal to me telling me where he went. Finally he
turned to the left, and on reaching the Via della Conca, made straight
for the gate. Here a toll was collected, and paying his paul he went
straight out of the town. I kept him in view now easily, and could
have caught him up as I liked, for the speed at which he had hobbled
along had no doubt breathed him. At last he left the road, and toiling
somewhat painfully over the very uneven ground, vanished behind a spur
of the hills on which Perugia is situated. I now put on my best
walking pace, and in a minute or two turned the elbow of the spur
myself, and found the mendicant seated on a stone mopping his brow,
his crutches lying beside him. He stood up with the greatest ease as I
approached.
"Well, fellow," I said, "what does all this mean? Beware, if you have
attempted to trick me."
"Does not your excellency know me?"
"Never saw you before."
"I am Gian, excellency."
"Gian! Gian! That throws no light on the subject."
"The cavaliere remembers the garden of St. Michael in Florence?"
I was not likely to forget the place where I had received Angiola from
Luigi, but I could not connect the man before me with the
circumstance. "I remember perfectly, but I do not know you. Drop this
foolery and speak plainly."
"I am speaking plainly, signore. I was not sure if it was you myself
until now. I am Gian, the Lady Angiola's servant, and his excellency
the secretary has sent me to you."
"But how did you hear I was in Perugia: his excellency did not himself
know I was coming here until a half-hour before I started, and I have
ridden hard?"
"The pigeon, your worship: it flew to Florence with a letter to the
Lady Marietta. She sent another one on to the convent of St. Jerome,
and the result is I am here. I was to seek out your worship, and
inform you where my lady is confined."
"Basta! It was well conceived by his excellency. But where is she--in
the citadel?"
"No, excellency; but in the Casino Baglioni, behind Santa Agnese."
"How did you find out?"
"I was brought here prisoner, excellency, and was allowed to be in
attendance on her ladyship, together with Madonna Laura, her maid. I
escaped back to Florence with a letter from the Lady Angiola a day or
so after. It was by her orders I went."
"Then she may not be there now."
"I have made sure of that, excellency--but Madonna Laura----" he
stopped.
"The maid--what of her--no doubt with her mistress?"
"Alas, no, excellency! She was killed by Pluto."
"Pluto!"
"Yes, your worship. A black bear that the cavaliere Paolo, who holds
the house, has as a pet," and he commenced to weep.
I felt for the faithful fellow's grief, but said nothing, and after a
little he composed himself.
"Come, Gian," I said, laying my hand on his shoulder, "be a man, and
we will have an eye for an eye."
He ground his teeth but made no reply, I and went on--
"How far is the house from here?"
"Close," he said. "We can reach it by the Porto San Angelo."
"Come, then."
"There is no need for the crutches now," he remarked, as he tucked
them under his arm. "I will use them when we come to the gate. Will
your excellency follow?"
As we walked northward over the hills, I continued my questions:
"Who is the Cavaliere Paolo?"
"A cousin of Count Carlo Baglioni, your worship. A man in middle
life--my age--and a perfect devil."
"I doubt not, the breed is a bad one. Has he many men with him?"
"About six, excellency, and then, of course, there is the guard at the
Porta San Angelo always at hand."
"Now listen to me, for we may not have time to talk further of this.
When you have shown me the house we must separate. Go to the Albergo
of the Rubicon--you know it?"
"Alas! no, excellency."
"It is behind the Palazzo Piccinino; you cannot miss it. Go there, and
await me a few steps from the doors--you follow?"
"Yes, your worship."
We had now crossed the Vici dell' Elce, but passing the gate of that
name, went onwards, and after a stiff climb reached the Porta San
Angelo. Here my companion, betaking himself once more to his crutches
and keeping ahead of me, turned southwards along the road which lined
the walls towards Santa Agnese. Shortly before reaching the church, we
came to a small but solid-looking building, half fortress, half
dwelling-house, and Gian, stopping dead in front of it, turned round
and began his whine:
"A copper for the poor cripple--a brown copper. The house, signore,"
speaking the last words under his breath as I came up.
"Do you know the room?" I asked pretending to fumble for a coin.
"In the tower behind," he answered rapidly, "may the saints bless your
lordship," and he limped away.
In order to gain time to look about, I put back my purse leisurely,
and then, with the same object, proceeded to rearrange and retie the
bows on my doublet. The face of the house was a little way back from
the wall which it overlooked. The massive doorway was shut, and the
windows on each side of it, as well as those set above, heavily
grated. I was too near the house to see the tower behind, and it
looked so deserted that it was hardly possible for six men to be on
guard there.
"An odd sort of bower to place one's lady-love in," I said, half
aloud, to myself; but then Baglioni's wooing was a rough one. There
was obviously nothing to be got by staring at the front of the house,
and I turned to my left, pausing between two dead walls, until I
obtained a view of the tower behind. The windows of the topmost room
were all closed and strongly barred, and it seemed deserted. I glanced
lower down, and to my joy saw that the room below was evidently
occupied, and once I caught a glimpse of a figure moving within. It
was a brief glimpse; but the eyes of love are sharp, and I knew it was
Angiola. I made up my mind at once, and stepping back quickly to the
front of the house, hammered loudly at the door with the knocker.
After a moment's silence, I heard the firm tread of a soldier. A small
barrier was let down, a bearded face looked up, and a rough voice
asked--
"Who knocks?"
"Diavolo!" I exclaimed. "You are polite. Is the Cavaliere Paolo
within?"
"He is not," replied the man shortly.
"Expected soon?"
"Cannot say."
"If you do not answer more civilly it will be bad for you. Tell him
when he comes that the Cavaliere di Savelli"--I gave my proper
name--"has arrived from Rome on an urgent affair, and will call on
him to-morrow; forget, and it will be the worse for you."
The man seemed a little surprised, and altered his tone at once.
"I will give your message, signore."
"Beware how you fail--harkee--is there a road to the Via Appia behind
this house?"
"Yes, signore, straight on, after taking the passage."
I did not even thank him, but turned on my heel, and walked off
whistling a catch. I went down the passage between the two walls, and
after some considerable stumblings up and down the vile roads, reached
the Via Appia and turned southwards to my hostel. I had formed the
somewhat daring plan of trying to force the house in broad daylight,
choosing my time an hour or so after dinner, and if done boldly this
would probably be successful, as my own force was nearly equal to that
of the garrison including Pluto.
As I was approaching the Rubicon, I heard a voice at my side.
"A copper, signore--a brown paul."
"Gian."
"Excellency."
"Drop the beggar, and attend--can you ride?"
"Yes, excellency."
"Very well!"
I said no more and went on in silence, but a little distance from the
hostel I bade Gian stop, and entering the yard, sought out Jacopo.
"Has the landlord any horses for sale?"
"Two, your excellency."
"Good ones?"
"Fairly so, excellency--about twenty crowns a piece with saddle
included."
"Then buy one--and here--a few steps to the right of the entrance you
will find a cripple, he is one of my men, do not speak, but attend--go
out quietly--get him decently clothed, and bring him back here, the
horse will be for him. You can get clothes to fit him anywhere, for
the shops do not shut until late; get him a sword too, there are some
good and cheap weapons in Perugia."
"It shall be done, excellency."
"Then be off at once."
I went on, and had a look at the horses. Bande Nere was with them,
seated on a rough wooden bench cleaning his corselet, which already
shone like silver. He rose to the salute as I came up.
"How are the horses, Bande Nere?"
"As well as possible, signore, they are all in high mettle."
With a parting pat to Castor, I sought my chamber, reaching it a
little after the supper hour. I kept up an outward composure, but my
mind within me was aflame with excitement. I ordered another flask of
the Burgundy and forced myself to eat and drink a little. Then I
betook myself to the arm-chair, and my thoughts. So impatient was I,
that the idea came on me to make the attempt there and then, and it
was with difficulty I persuaded myself to abandon such a plan, which
could have only ended in disaster. Finally, I was about to retire for
want of something better to do, when Jacopo came in, followed by Gian.
The latter was entirely transformed, except for the patch which he
still wore over his eye, and I was able to recall him now as the old
servant who had come somewhat fiercely up to me in the garden of St.
Michael. He had the art which I found so difficult, of completely
disguising himself when he chose. Jacopo had performed his task well,
and bidding them keep their tongues closed, I dismissed them with a
good night.