ged
this fact on Ercole's attention, but the swashbuckler had grinned and
shook his head. To Gonzaga fell the greater reward, and so Gonzaga must
do the greater work. It was only fair, the knave had urged; and
while Gonzaga was about it, he would watch the chapel door against
interruption. And so Gonzaga had been forced to come alone to try
conclusions with the sentry.

He gave the young man a nervous but pleasant "Good-morrow," and observed
with satisfaction that he wore no body armour. His original intention
had been to attempt to suborn him, and render him pliable by bribery;
but now that the moment for action was arrived he dared not make the
offer. He lacked for words in which to present his proposal, and he was
afraid lest the man should resent it, and in a fit of indignation
attack him with his partisan. He little imagined that Aventano had been
forewarned by Ercole that a bribe would be offered him and that he
was to accept it promptly. Ercole had chosen this man because he was
intelligent, and had made him understand enough of what was toward,
besides offering a substantial reward if he played his part well, and
Aventano waited. But Gonzaga, knowing naught of this, abandoned at the
last moment the notion of bribing him--which Ercole had enjoined him,
and which he in his turn had promised Ercole was the course he would
pursue.

"You seem cold, Excellency," said the young man deferentially, for he
had observed that Gonzaga shivered.

"A chill morning, Aventano," returned the gallant, with a grin.

"True; but the sun is breaking through yonder. It will be warmer soon."

"Why, yes," answered the other abstractedly, and still he remained by
the sentinel, his hand, under the gay mantle of blue velvet, nervously
fingering the hilt of a dagger that he dared not draw. It came to him
that moments were passing, and that the thing must be done. Yet Aventano
was a sinewy youth, and if the sudden stab he meditated failed him, he
would be at the fellow's mercy. At the thought he shivered again, and
his face turned grey. He moved away a step, and then inspiration brought
him a cruel ruse. He uttered a cry.

"What is that?" he exclaimed, his eyes on the ground.

In an instant Aventano was beside him, for his voice had sounded
alarmed--a tone, in his present condition, not difficult to simulate.

"What, Excellency?"

"Down there," cried Gonzaga excitedly. "There from that fissure in the
stone. Saw you nothing?" And he