. By day it was
suspended from his belt, by night it was under his bolster. To gain
possession of this key was the most difficult part of the matter.

Now in spite of the fact that he was a prisoner, Caesar had invariably
been treated with all the respect due to his name and rank. Every day at
the dinner hour, he was conducted from the room in which he was
confined to the governor's apartments and was received by him as an
honoured guest. Don Manuel himself was an old soldier who had served
with distinction under Ferdinand, and, while carrying out punctually his
orders for Caesar's safe custody, he admired his military talents, and
listened with pleasure to the story of his fights. He had often desired
that Caesar should breakfast as well as dine with him, but, luckily for
himself, the prisoner, perhaps aided by some presentiment, had always
refused this favour. It was owing to his solitude that he was able to
conceal the instruments for his escape sent by Michelotto.

Now it happened that the very same day that he had received them, Caesar
contrived to stumble, and twist his foot as he was returning to his
room. When the hour of dinner came he tried to go down, but declared
that walking hurt him so much, that he should be obliged to give it up,
so the governor paid him a visit instead, and found him stretched on his
bed.

The next day Caesar was no better; his dinner was ordered to be served
upstairs, and the governor paid him a visit as before. He found his
prisoner so dull and bored with his own company, that he offered to come
and share his supper. Caesar accepted the offer with gratitude and joy.

This time it was the prisoner who did the honours of the table, and
Caesar was particularly charming and courteous in manner. The governor
seized the opportunity of putting some questions as to his capture, and
inquired, with the pride of a Castilian noble, who set honour above all,
what was the exact truth as to the way in which Gonsalvo de Cordova and
Ferdinand had broken their faith with him. Caesar showed every
disposition to give him satisfaction on this point, but indicated by a
sign that he could not speak freely before the valets. This precaution
was so natural, that the governor could not seem offended at it, and
dismissed his attendants, so that he and his companion remained alone.
When the door was shut, Caesar filled his glass and that of the governor,
and proposed the king's health. The governor emptied hi