It was Cesare's Spanish captain, one whose name was as well
known and as well-dreaded in Italy as Cesare's own. The Duke held out to
him the paper that he had produced.

"You heard the question that I asked Messer del' Orca?" he inquired.

"I heard, Illustrious," answered Miguel, with a bow.

"See that you obtain me an answer to it, as well as an account of
the other matters that I have noted on this list--concerning the
misappropriation of stores, the retention of taxes illicitly levied, and
the wanton cruelty towards my good citizens of Cesena. Put him to the
question without delay, and record me his replies. The implements are
yonder."

And with the same calm indifference which characterised his every word
and action Cesare pointed to the torture, and turned to Madonna Paola,
as though he gave the matter of Ramiro del' Orca and his misdeeds not
another thought.

"Mercy, my lord," rang now the voice of Ramiro, laden with horrid fear.
"I will speak."

"Then do so--to Don Miguel. He will question you in my name." Again he
turned to Madonna. "Madonna Paola, may I conduct you hence? Things may
perhaps occur which it is not seemly your gentle eyes should witness.
Messer Biancomonte, attend us."

Now, in spite of all that Ramiro had made me suffer, I should have been
loath to have remained and witnessed his examination. That they would
torture him was now inevitable. His chance of answering freely was
gone. Even if he returned meek replies to Don Miguel's questions,
that gentleman would, no doubt, still submit him to the cord by way of
assuring himself that such replies were true ones.

Gladly, then, did I turn to follow the Duke and Madonna Paola into the
adjoining chamber to which Cesare led the way, even as Don Miguel's
voice was raised to command his men to clear the hall, to the end that
he might conduct his examination in private.

The three of us stood in the anteroom. A servant had lighted the tapers
and closed the doors, and the Duke turned to me.

"First, Messer Biancomonte, to discharge my debt. You are, if I am not
misinformed, the lord by right of birth of certain lands that bear
your name, which suffered sequestration during the reign of the late
Costanzo, Tyrant of Pesaro, whose son Giovanni upheld that confiscation.
Am I right?"

"Your Excellency is very well informed. The Lord of Pesaro did make me
tardy restitution--so tardy, indeed, that the lands which he restored to
me had already virtual