my advance with a smile in which mockery was blent with
satisfaction, for all that of the resumption of my proper raiment he
seemed to take no heed. No doubt he had dined well, and he was now
disposing himself to be amused.

"Messer Bocadaro," said he, when I had come to a standstill, "there was
last night a matter that was not cleared up between us and concerning
which I expressed an intention of questioning you to-day. I should
proceed to do so at once, were it not that there is yet another matter
on which I am, if possible, still more desirous you should tell us all
you know. Once already have you evaded my questions with answers which
at the time I half believed. Even now I do not say that I utterly
disbelieve them, but I wish to assure myself that you told the truth;
for if you lied, why then we may still be assisted by such information
the cord shall squeeze from you. I am referring to the mysterious
disappearance of Madonna Paola di Santafior--a disappearance of which
you have assured me that you knew nothing, being even in ignorance of
the fact that the lady was not really dead. I had confidently expected
that the party searching for Madonna Paola would have succeeded ere this
in finding her. But this morning my hopes suffered disappointment. My
men have returned empty-handed once more."

"For which mercy may Heaven be praised!" I burst out.

He scowled at me; then he laughed evilly.

"My men have returned--all save three. Captain Lucagnolo with two of
his followers, has undertaken to go beyond the area I appointed for the
search, and to proceed to the village of Cattolica. While he is pursuing
his inquiries there, I have resolved to pursue my own here. I now
call upon you, Boccadoro, to tell us what you know of Madonna Paola's
whereabouts."

"I know nothing," I answered stoutly. "I am prepared to take oath that I
know nothing of her whereabouts."

"Tell me, then, at least," said he, "where you bestowed her."

I shook my head, pressing my lips tight.

"Do you think that I would tell you if I had the knowledge?" was the
scornful question with which I answered him. "You may pursue your
inquiries as you will and where you will, but I pray God they may all
prove as futile as must those that you would pursue here and upon my own
person."

This was how I fenced with him, this was the manner in which I followed
Mariani's sound advice that I should temporise! Oh! I know that my words
were the words of a fool