ater interest. They
leaned forward on their horses and eyed me with eyes grown of a sudden
hopeful. "And," I continued, "if you will have utter faith in me, I see
a way to render doubly certain your escape."

She looked up into my face, and what she saw there may have reassured
her that I promised no more than I could accomplish. For the rest she
had to choose between trusting me and suffering capture.

"Sir," said she, "I do not know you, nor why you should interest
yourself in the concerns of a desolated woman. But, Heaven knows, I am
in no case to stand pondering the aid you offer, nor, indeed, do I doubt
the good faith that moves you. Let me hear, sir, how you would propose
to serve me."

"Whence are you?" I inquired.

"From Rome," she informed me without hesitation, "to seek at my cousin's
Court of Pesaro shelter from a persecution to which the Borgia family is
submitting me."

At her cousin's Court of Pesaro! An odd coincidence, this--and while I
was pondering it, it flashed into my mind that by helping her I might
assist myself. Had aught been needed o strengthen my purpose to serve
her, I had it now.

"Yet," said I, surprise investing my voice, "at Pesaro there is Madonna
Lucrezia of that same House of Borgia."

She smiled away the doubt my words implied.

"Madonna Lucrezia is my friend," said she; "as sweet and gentle a
friend as ever woman had, and she will stand by me even against her own
family."

Since she was satisfied of that, I waived the point, and returned to
what was of more immediate interest.

"And you fled," said I, "with these?" And I indicated her attendants.
"Not content to leave the clearest of tracks behind you in the snow, you
have had yourself attended by four grooms in the livery of Santafior.
So that by asking a few questions any that were so inclined might follow
you with ease."

She opened wide her eyes at that. Oftentimes have I observed that it
needs a fool to teach some elementary wisdom to the wise ones of this
world. I leapt from my saddle and stood in the road beside her, the
bridle on my arm.

"Listen now, Madonna. If you would make good your escape it first
imports that you should rid yourself of this valiant escort. Separate
from it for a little while. Take you my horse--it is a very gentle
beast, and it wilt carry you with safety--and ride on, alone, to Cagli."

"Alone?" quoth she, in some surprise.

"Why, yes," I answered gruffly. "What of that? At the Inn o