ng to solicit alms, and if she should pass, will
tell her your message, but not disclose your place of imprisonment. She
will know you are alive and have a friend who at rare intervals will
give her news of you and bring back messages from her which you must
give me to destroy. That is all that can be done. As my reward, you
shall teach me to use the sword so when the opportunity is presented I
may do my part as a patriot to rid Tuscany of her oppressors.'

"'You will at least hand this ring to my wife when you deliver my
message and await her answer?'

"'Yes, I will risk that much.'

"That night I slept in peace and had rapturous dreams of freedom.

"On the next day in the afternoon, when my wife left our home to go to
her brother's seeking news of me, she was addressed by a mendicant
friar, who had even to touch her arm before she took notice, as she
walked as a woman asleep--mind lost in sorrow.

"'Do not start; pretend to give me alms and take this ring which your
husband sends. He is alive and well but a prisoner. I am his friend and
will take a written message to him. Should his friends seek to find his
place of confinement he will be murdered. On each Tuesday at this hour,
if you pass, I will bring you news of him. I must not be followed on his
account.'

"'Oh! Where is he.'

"'I have told you all I dare. Return home and write him a brief message
for which I shall wait; fold it closely and hand me as though it were a
small coin.'

"Turning away the friar solicited alms of a passing merchant.

"In a few minutes my wife returned and when he again asked alms she
dropped in his hand two florins and between them a note for me.

"That night at a late hour the friar called through the grating and when
I answered told me of the meeting and dropped the two florins into my
hand, stating he would read the note to me, which he did.

"'You cannot know how much I have suffered believing you dead. I hope
and live again since you sent the message and the ring.

"'What shall we do to find or rescue you? If you are not permitted to
write send me a piece of your clothing so I may know the messenger comes
from you.

"'Use every effort to come home to me as life is worthless with you
away. I dare not write more. Can I send you anything?'

"'Let me have the note so I may see my wife's handwriting.'

"'I will if you return it so it may be destroyed; your cell may be
searched.'

"He dropped it down, then let down a c