said.

'That is too much for anything so common as a kick, Excellency, and too
little if you will accept my service.'

'I have servants enough,' answered Altieri, slipping his purse into his
pocket again. 'But since you think a paul is too much for one kick, I
shall give you a florin's worth for nothing at all if you pester me with
any more nonsense. So now be off, and waste no time about it!'

Tommaso suddenly drew himself up and squared his broad shoulders, which
made him look rather formidable, for he was an uncommonly strong and
active fellow.

'If you say the word,' he answered, dropping his obsequious manner, 'I
will give Maestro Stradella's wife into your hands within a fortnight.'

Don Alberto started visibly. His high-born instinct was not quite dead
yet, and he slightly moved his right hand as if he would lift the ebony
stick he carried; but Tommaso had one of cornel-wood and iron-shod, and
he also made a very slight movement, and he was square and strong and
had a jaw like a bull-dog. Don Alberto's instinctive desire to knock him
down disappeared suddenly.

'And how do you propose to accomplish such an impossible feat?' asked
the young noble with some contempt.

'That is my affair,' answered Tommaso quietly. 'What will you give me
when I have shut the lady up safely and shall bring you the key of her
prison? That is the only question, but please remember that I must risk
my neck, while you will only risk your money.'

'If you think I will give you any money in hand for such a silly offer,
you take me for a fool,' retorted Don Alberto.

'I ask nothing in advance. How much will you give me in cash for the
lady when I hand her over to you? I am in earnest. Name your price.'

'What is yours?'

'A thousand gold florins and the Pope's pardon,' said Tommaso boldly.
'You could not buy her like in Venice, if you had your pick of the
latest cargo from Georgia!'

'You shall have the pardon and a thousand in gold,' Don Alberto
answered, for he was much too fine a gentleman to bargain with a
cut-throat, especially as the money would come out of his uncle's
strong-box. 'I do not believe that you can do what you offer; but if you
succeed, how shall I hear from you?'

'On the Eve of Saint John you will find me waiting for you with two
saddled mules behind the Baptistery of the Lateran, when the bells ring
the first hour of the night. Bring your money and I will take you to the
house and to the lady and leave