of
the Roman Chapter hath made inquiry for thee, and knew naught of thy
presence here. Thou wilt soon be recalled. That thou doest--do quickly."

A sudden pallor overspread the features of Fra Antonio, who staggered
and would have fallen, as he made an effort to steal away unobserved,
had not the others come to his assistance.

"What is thy sudden ailment?" one of them asked him roughly, for he was
no favorite.

But before the trembling friar could steady his voice or choose his
words he was forgotten, for the evening bells began to chime for
vespers, and as the brothers came flocking through the cloisters the
great bell at the entrance gate on the Fondamenta dei Servi sent back
the special deep-toned call, which took precedence of every order within
the convent. Those who had already reached the chapel streamed back in
wild confusion to answer the summons which filled the court with
clanging echoes, while the silvery notes of the chapel chimes sounded
faintly in the pauses of the deeper reverberations--like the voice of a
timid child crying to be comforted when it does not understand.

In the excitement that followed Fra Antonio was forgotten by all but Fra
Giulio, who had been watching him closely as he made his way with
difficulty toward the low, arched passage which led in the direction of
the dormitory.

"Lean on me," said Fra Giulio, who stood barring the way.

"Nay," replied the other, who seemed scarcely able to stand, "I must
needs reach my cell; a sudden illness hath overtaken me."

But Fra Giulio, usually so compassionate that he was called "woman
hearted," did not move.

"Later a remedy shall be brought thee," he answered coldly. "Thou
hearest the great summons which none of our order may disobey; it is
rare and solemn to hear that call. Something of moment hath chanced.
_Ecco_, now we shall know!" he added in a tone of relief, as Fra
Gianmaria appeared from under the convent entrance, whither he had gone
to receive the Chief of the Ten, who now entered the great court with
him in formal state, with a secretary and attendants and an officer of
the guards.

The tumultuous crowd began to range itself in orderly groups at the
command of the superior, and Fra Antonio controlled himself with a
supreme effort as a body of palace guards, in brilliant uniforms,
scattered themselves among the black-robed friars. The heavy gates
closed behind them, and the dismal tolling of the bell ended in a
silence thr