hort as he dared, and then
replacing them in such a way as to keep things together, and yet to
allow of their being easily drawn out at the last moment.

All this was by no means easy to contrive, for the governor was
constantly sending some one to make sure that his prisoner was safe.

The two men who were specially charged with this duty were rough and
rude, and one of them in particular took pains to inspect the whole room
carefully every evening, paying special attention to the locks and
hinges.

Cellini lived in constant terror lest it should occur to them to examine
his bedding, where, besides the pincers, he had hidden a long sharp
dagger and some other instruments, as well as his long strips of linen.
Each morning he swept out and dusted his room and carefully made his
bed, ornamenting it with flowers which he got the soldier from whom he
had taken the pincers to bring him. When his two warders appeared he
desired them on no account to go near or touch his bed, for fear of
soiling or disturbing it. Sometimes, in order to tease him, they would
touch it, and then he would shout: 'Ah! you dirty rascals! Just let me
get at one of your swords and see how I'll punish you! How dare you
touch the bed of such a man as I am? Little care I about risking my own
life, for I should be certain to take yours. Leave me in peace with my
grief and trouble, or I will show you what a man can do when driven to
desperation!'

These words were repeated to the governor, who forbade the gaolers
touching Cellini's bed, or entering his room armed. The bed once safe,
he felt as if all else must go right.

[Illustration: HE PREPARED TO ATTACK THE SENTRY]

One night the governor had a worse attack than ever, and in a fit of
madness kept repeating that he certainly was a bat, and that, should
they hear of Benvenuto's escape, they must let him fly off too, as he
was sure he could fly better at night and would overtake the fugitive.
'Benvenuto,' said he, 'is but a sham bat, but as I am a real bat, and he
has been given into my keeping, I shall soon catch him again, depend on
it.'

This bad attack lasted several nights, and the Savoyard soldier, who
took an interest in Benvenuto, reported to him that the servants were
quite worn out watching their sick master. Hearing this, Cellini
resolved to attempt his escape at once, and set hard to work to complete
his preparations. He worked all night, and about two hours before dawn
he, with much