interests had
Boccadoro, the Fool, in common with Cesare Borgia, Cardinal of Valencia?

"You," he answered vehemently, "you, Lazzaro Biancomonte of Biancomonte,
whose father Costanzo of Pesaro stripped of his domains. The matters in
those papers mean the ruin of the Lord of Pesaro. We are all but ripe to
strike at him from Rome and when we strike he shall be so disfigured
by the blow that all Italy shall hold its sides to laugh at the sorry
figure he will cut. I would not say so much to any other living man but
you and if I tell it you it is because I need your aid."

"The lion and mouse," I murmured.

"Why yes, if you will."

"And this man is the husband of your sister!" I exclaimed, almost
involuntarily.

"Does that imply a doubt of what I have said?" he flashed, his head
thrown back, his brows drawn suddenly together.

"No, no," I hastened to assure him. He smiled softly.

"Maddonna Lucrezia knows all--or nearly all. Of what else she may need
to learn, that letter will inform her. It is the last thread, the last
knot needed, before we can complete the net in which we are to hold that
tyrant? Now, will you bear the letter?"

Would I bear it? Dear God! To achieve the end in view I would have
spent my remaining days in motley, making sport for grooms and
kitchen wenches. Some such answer did I make him, and he smiled his
satisfaction.

"You shall journey as you are," he bade me. "I am guided by my sister,
assured that the coat of a Fool is stouter protection than the best
hauberk ever tempered. When you have done your errand come you back to
me, and you shall have employment better suited to one who bears the
name of Biancomonte."

"You may depend upon me in this, my lord," I promised gravely. "I shall
not fail you."

"It is well" said he; and those wondrous eyes of his rested again upon
my face. "How soon can you set out?"

"At once, my lord. Does not the by-word say that a fool makes little
preparation for a journey?"

He nodded, and moved to a coffer, a beautiful piece of Venetian work in
ultramarine and gold. From this he took a heavy bag.

"There," said he, "you will find the best of all travelling companions."
I thanked him, and set the bag on the crook of my left arm, and by its
weight I knew how true he was to the notorious splendour of his race.
"And this," said he, "is a talisman that may serve to help you out of
any evil plight, and open many a door that you may find locked." And he
handed