"They then--both--are apart from this and all my counsel. It shall be
for thee alone, Antonio."
"So safer, Messer Gastaldo. I listen--and forget, save as it shall serve
thee."
"First, then, Antonio; I have sworn to escort the Lady of the
Giustiniani in safety to Rome, from which naught shall keep me--save if
the Ten have other plans, the Madonna doth forgive the broken vow!"
It was a strange admission from a man stalwart and fearless like Piero,
but he made it without shame, as a soldier acquiescing in destiny.
"Santissima Maria!" Antonio ejaculated with unusual fervor and crossing
himself in full realization of the meaning.
"At Brondolo a brig is waiting--orange and yellow of sail, device of a
blazing sun; a hunchback, with doublet of orange above the mast for
luck, and a fine figure of a _gobbo_ upon the deck--a living
hunchback--by which thou shalt know it for mine, and bound to my order
whether it come by me or by my token. If we reach and board her it shall
be well--and Rome, so will it heaven, before us all! But if the dreaded
ones are on the search and overtake us----"
Again the sign.
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