It was no vision: they had gone and left me free!' Conrad paused; Tomaso, an absorbed listener, drew a deep breath.

'What did it mean, lord?' he asked.

'Ask me not, Tomaso,' answered Conrad with a lighter air. 'They were so certain I should eat and die, it made them careless, or Giannotto had a throb of pity. Many kindnesses the knave has had from me. I know not what it was; such things will happen. I have heard of them when in my native land from prisoners of war. But all I knew and cared for was that I was free! At first, indeed, it seemed to promise little good. I crept, I know not how, into the garden into the air: the sky was overhead: it gave me strength: let me but get to the water and I would live...As by a miracle I reached the fountain.' Again Conrad paused, shuddering at remembrance of his anguish.

'The fountain?' repeated Tomaso, absorbed in the relation. 'The fountains were poisoned, boy; you know it; it boots not talking of it; it is all past and done with, and I live, a sound, free man, thanks to our brave Veronese; though in Booth how he could have saved me, had he not been a giant, I leave to my good angel to think out'; and Conrad laughed.

Tomaso looked surprised. He could not understand how Conrad could so easily shake off his hatred of Visconti, save when the thought was forced on him.

A silence fell which Conrad was again the first to break.

'The Lady Valentine,' he said, following his own train of thought, rather than addressing his companion, 'does she ever think of me?'

Tomaso inwardly wondered how much he thought of her. Save when telling his tale to Francisco, this was the only time he had named her. It seemed as if his sufferings and his love alike were to lie lightly on his mind.

'They say in Milan Lady Valentine is to marry the Duke of Orleans,' Tomaso ventured presently.

'They say echoed Conrad with scorn. 'The Frenchman is not even yet in Italy. Much may have happened ere he is.' Tomaso rose and looked from the doorway anxiously.

'It is close on sundown,' he said, 'it is time Francisco came.'

'It is intolerably wearisome,' yawned Conrad. 'I would I had gone with our friend—Would have been more enlivening than this.'

Tomaso's face ill concealed his scorn.

''Tis a matter of life and death, Count Conrad; even now the soldiers may at any time return.'

With a pleasant smile von Schulembourg leaped from the table.

'Pardon me, if I vex thee with my seeming carelessness,' he said, with the charm of manner that could always win him friends. 'I owe too large a debt to all of you, to be really so heedless as I seem; but methinks there is no single thing—'

'Save keep ourselves in readiness, my lord,' said Tomaso. 'Francisco charged us to be so disposed that we could leap into the saddle without a breath's delay.'

'I remember,' said Count Conrad, lapsing again into an idle mood. 'Methinks our Veronese deliverer issues commands as if well used to it.'

The youth made no reply; he was gazing eagerly along the chestnut-bordered path, sorely impatient for Francisco's return. 'Canst thou play chess?' asked Conrad suddenly.

Tomaso looked around at him in surprise. Did the German noble jest?

Von Schulembourg was again seated on the table, admiring his shapely hand, which he held against the light.

'Play chess?' repeated Tomaso. 'No, my lord.'

Count Conrad crossed his legs daintily and sighed.

'It were a splendid chance to teach thee—had we but the men. Thou hast read old romance, boy? And must remember how the knights and ladies play at chess? 'Tis a royal game.'

He sighed again, and glanced with disdain down at his leather doublet.

'Yet 'twere strange to play chess in this garb,' he added, and kicked the table with his heels in discontent.

Silence again fell, Tomaso still at the door, unheeding of the Count's complaints, watching anxiously through the gathering dusk.

'By heaven, boy!' Conrad exclaimed suddenly. 'Till this moment I had forgot it. Lady Valentine's gift—thinking of the chessmen brought it to my mind. I swore never to leave it—with my life! And 'tis behind me in the villa.'

'Behind thee, lord?' cried Tomaso, bewildered and startled at his excited tones. 'Where? What?'

Conrad was on his feet, his eyes sparkling with excitement. 'At the villa,' he cried. 'I know where it is, I will go and fetch it.'

'My lord, consider what thou say'st,' and Tomaso barred the door with outstretched arms. We promised Francisco we would not leave the hut—to attempt the villa would be simple madness!'

'Why, boy, the villa is close by,' laughed Conrad, 'and Francisco may not be back for hours most like; he may hang back till dark. Meanwhile am I to twirl my thumbs in here, and Lady Valentine's love-gift calling to me from beyond that wall? Out of my way, Tomaso. The dagger may be useful, and 'tis beautiful: a handle carved out of a single stone.