ten of any ordinary men."

_She knows Daoud's Muslim name!_

But Sophia had no time to pursue the thought. Tilia had quickly wiped
her tears away and turned to Sophia expectantly.

"With Lorenzo away you are the only one who might be able to do
something," Sophia said.

"What do you expect of me, if David lets himself be taken away and the
cardinal does nothing?" Tilia asked. "Have I more power than they?"
Clearly her use of "Daoud" was a momentary indiscretion.

"We need someone who can think," Sophia said, realizing how vague she
sounded in her desperation.

"How is Adelberto taking it?" Tilia asked.

"He is almost speechless with terror. He just moans and weeps and wrings
his hands. I am afraid he may try to run away, or confess everything or
do something equally foolish."

Tilia nodded again, grimly. "He is picturing all the things they will do
to him if he is found guilty of conspiring with the enemies of
Christendom." She looked at Sophia keenly. "What about you? Are you not
afraid for yourself?"

"I am dying of fear."

Tilia reached over and squeezed her hand. "I am frightened too. Who
would not be? But you're right--giving way to panic just leaves us
helpless. Let us go back to Adelberto's mansion. He is a changeable man.
I may be able to get him to think sensibly. I will see what I can do
with him."

A wave of relief swept over Sophia. At least she was no longer
struggling alone.

Sophia could see a bluish light on the tile roofs of the houses across
from Tilia's window. It would soon be morning.

_God, they have had Daoud for a whole night! What have they done to
him?_

"D'Ucello has men watching the cardinal's mansion," Sophia said.
"Riccardo and I slipped out through the tunnel that leads under the
street to the potterymaker's shop, but we cannot get back in that way."

"Getting there is the easiest part of it," said Tilia. "Cassio will hire
a covered cart for us. The hard part will be deciding what to do once we
have arrived." She smiled and patted her breasts, accentuated by the
gossamer fabric of her sleeping gown. "I must put some clothes on."

"While you dress, can I see Rachel?" Sophia asked. She noticed three
ironbound chests, ornamented with circular enameled medallions, standing
in a row against the wall beside Tilia's bed. Each was secured with a
padlock. They must hold the gold Tilia's customers brought to her.

"I will take you to Rachel," said Tilia. "She is as well and ha