CHAPTER VII. THE PAPAL BULL
And now, that you may understand to the full the thing that happened,it is necessary that I should relate it here in its proper sequence,although that must entail my own withdrawal for a time from pages uponwhich too long I have intruded my own doings and thoughts and feelings.
I set it down as it was told to me later by those who bore their sharein it, and particularly by Falcone, who, as you shall learn, came to bea witness of all, and retailed to me the affair with the greatest detailof what this one said and how that one looked.
I reached Rome on the fourth day after my setting out with my grimescort, and on that same day, at much the same hour as that in which thedoor of my dungeon in Sant' Angelo closed upon me, Galeotto rode intothe courtyard of Pagliano on his return from his treasonable journey.
He was attended only by Falcone, and it so chanced that his arrival waswitnessed by Farnese, who with various members of his suite was loungingin the gallery at the time.
Surprise was mutual at the encounter; for Galeotto had known nothingof the Duke's sojourn at Pagliano, believing him to be still at Parma,whilst the Duke as little suspected that of the five score men-at-armsgarrisoned in Pagliano, three score lances were of Galeotto's freecompany.
But at sight of this condottiero, whose true aims he was far fromsuspecting, and whose services he was eager to enlist, the Duke heavedhimself up from his seat and went down the staircase shouting greetingsto the soldier, and playfully calling him Galeotto in its double sense,and craving to know where he had been hiding himself this while.
The condottiero swung down from his saddle unaided--a thing whichhe could do even when full-armed--and stood before Farnese, a grim,dust-stained figure, with a curious smile twisting his scarred face.
"Why," said he, in answer, "I have been upon business that concerns yourmagnificence somewhat closely."
And with Falcone at his heels he advanced, the horses relinquished tothe grooms who had hastened forward.
"Upon business that concerns me?" quoth the Duke, intrigued.
"Why, yes," said Galeotto, who stood now face to face with Farnese atthe foot of the steps up which the Duke's attendants were straggling."I have been recruiting forces, and since one of these days yourmagnificence is to give me occupation, you will see that the matterconcerns you."
Above leaned Cavalcanti, his face grey and haggard, without the heart torelish the wicked humour of Galeotto that could make jests for his ownentertainment. True there was also Falcone to overhear, appreciate, andgrin under cover of his great brown hand.
"Does this mean that you are come to your senses on the score of astipend, Ser Galeotto?" quoth the Duke.
"I am not a trader out of the Giudecca to haggle over my wares," repliedthe burly condottiero. "But I nothing doubt that your magnificence and Iwill come to an understanding at the last."
"Five thousand ducats yearly is my offer," said Farnese, "provided thatyou bring three hundred lances."
"Ah, well!" said Galeotto softly, "you may come to regret one of thesedays, highness, that you did not think well to pay me the price I ask."
"Regret?" quoth the Duke, with a frown of displeasure at so muchfrankness.
"When you see me engaged in the service of some other," Galeottoexplained. "You need a condottiero, my lord; and you may come to needone even more than you do now."
"I have the Lord of Mondolfo," said the Duke.
Galeotto stared at him with round eyes. "The Lord of Mondolfo?" quothhe, intentionally uncomprehending.
"You have not heard? Why, here he stands." And he waved a jewelled handtowards Cosimo, a handsome figure in green and blue, standing nearest toFarnese.
Galeotto looked at this Anguissola, and his brow grew very black.
"So," he said slowly, "you are the Lord of Mondolfo, eh? I think you arevery brave."
"I trust my valour will not be lacking when the proof of it is needed,"answered Cosimo haughtily, feeling the other's unfriendly mood andresponding to it.
"It cannot," said Galeotto, "since you have the courage to assume thattitle, for the lordship of Mondolfo is an unlucky one to bear, SerCosimo. Giovanni d'Anguissola was unhappy in all things, and his wasa truly miserable end. His father before him was poisoned by his bestfriend, and as for the last who legitimately bore that title--why, nonecan say that the poor lad was fortunate."
"The last who legitimately bore that title?" cried Cosimo, very ruffled."I think, sir, it is your aim to affront me."
"And what is more," continued the condottiero, as if Cosimo had notspoken, "not only are the lords of Mondolfo unlucky in themselves, butthey are a source of ill luck to those they serve. Giovanni's father hadbut taken service with Cesare Borgia when the latter's ruin came at thehands of Pope Julius II. What Giovanni's own friendship cost his friendsnone knows better than your highness. So that, when all is said, I thinkyou had better look about you for another condottiero, magnificent."
The magnificent stood gnawing his beard and brooding darkly, for hewas a grossly superstitious fellow who studied omens and dabbled inhoroscopes, divinations, and the like. And he was struck by the thingthat Galeotto said. He looked at Cosimo darkly. But Cosimo laughed.
"Who believes such old wives' tales? Not I, for one."
"The more fool you!" snapped the Duke.
"Indeed, indeed," Galeotto applauded. "A disbelief in omens can butspring from an ignorance of such matters. You should study them, MesserCosimo. I have done so, and I tell you that the lordship of Mondolfois unlucky to all dark-complexioned men. And when such a man has a moleunder the left ear as you have--in itself a sign of death by hanging--itis well to avoid all risks."
"Now that is very strange!" muttered the Duke, much struck by thiswhittling down of Cosimo's chances, whilst Cosimo shrugged impatientlyand smiled contemptuously. "You seem to be greatly versed in thesematters, Ser Galeotto," added Farnese.
"He who would succeed in whatever he may undertake should qualifyto read all signs," said Galeotto sententiously. "I have sought thisknowledge."
"Do you see aught in me that you can read?" inquired the Duke in allseriousness.
Galeotto considered him a moment without any trace in his eyes of thewicked mockery that filled his soul. "Why," he answered slowly, "not inyour own person, magnificent--leastways, not upon so brief a glance. Butsince you ask me, I have lately been considering the new coinage of yourhighness."
"Yes, yes!" exclaimed the Duke, all eagerness, whilst several of hisfollowers came crowding nearer--for all the world is interested inomens. "What do you read there?"
"Your fate, I think."
"My fate?"
"Have you a coin upon you?"
Farnese produced a gold ducat, fire-new from the mint. The condottierotook it and placed his finger upon the four letters P L A C--theabbreviation of "Placentia" in the inscription.
"P--L--A--C," he spelled. "That contains your fate, magnificent, andyou may read it for yourself." And he returned the coin to the Duke, whostared at the letters foolishly and then at this reader of omens.
"But what is the meaning of PLAC?" he asked, and he had paled a littlewith excitement.
"I have a feeling that it is a sign. I cannot say more. I can but pointit out to you, my lord, and leave the deciphering of it to yourself, whoare more skilled than most men in such matters. Have I your excellency'sleave to go doff this dusty garb?" he concluded.
"Ay, go, sir," answered the Duke abstractedly, puzzling now with knittedbrows over the coin that bore his image.
"Come, Falcone," said Galeotto, and with his equerry at his heels he sethis foot on the first step.
Cosimo leaned forward, a sneer on his white hawk-face, "I trust, SerGaleotto, that you are a better condottiero than a charlatan."
"And you, sir," said Galeotto, smiling his sweetest in return, "are, Itrust, a better charlatan than a condottiero."
He went up the stairs, the gaudy throng making way before him, and hecame at last to the top, where
stood the Lord of Pagliano awaitinghim, a great trouble in his eyes. They clasped hands in silence, andCavalcanti went in person to lead his guest to his apartments.
"You have not a happy air," said Galeotto as they went. "And, Body ofGod! it is no matter for marvel considering the company you keep. Howlong has the Farnese beast been here?"
"His visit is now in its third week," said Cavalcanti, answeringmechanically.
Galeotto swore in sheer surprise. "By the Host! And what keeps him?"
Cavalcanti shrugged and let his arms fall to his sides. To Galeotto thisproud, stern baron seemed most oddly dispirited.
"I see that we must talk," he said. "Things are speeding well andswiftly now," he added, dropping his voice. "But more of that presently.I have much to tell you."
When they had reached the chamber that was Galeotto's, and the doorswere closed and Falcone was unbuckling his master's spurs--"Now for mynews," said the condottiero. "But first, to spare me repetitions, let ushave Agostino here. Where is he?"
The look on Cavalcanti's face caused Galeotto to throw up his head likea spirited animal that scents danger.
"Where is he?" he repeated, and old Falcone's fingers fell idle upon thebuckle on which they were engaged.
Cavalcanti's answer was a groan. He flung his long arms to the ceiling,as if invoking Heaven's aid; then he let them fall again heavily, allstrength gone out of them.
Galeotto stood an instant looking at him and turning very white.Suddenly he stepped forward, leaving Falcone upon his knees.
"What is this?" he said, his voice a rumble of thunder. "Where is theboy? I say."
The Lord of Pagliano could not meet the gaze of those steel colouredeyes.
"O God!" he groaned. "How shall I tell you?"
"Is he dead?" asked Galeotto, his voice hard.
"No, no--not dead. But... But..." The plight of one usually so strong, sofull of mastery and arrogance, was pitiful.
"But what?" demanded the condottiero. "Gesu! Am I a woman, or a manwithout sorrows, that you need to stand hesitating? Whatever it may be,speak, then, and tell me."
"He is in the clutches of the Holy Office," answered Cavalcantimiserably.
Galeotto looked at him, his pallor increasing. Then he sat downsuddenly, and, elbows on knees, he took his head in his hands and spokeno word for a spell, during which time Falcone, still kneeling, lookedfrom one to the other in an agony of apprehension and impatience to hearmore.
Neither noticed the presence of the equerry; nor would it have matteredif they had, for he was trusty as steel, and they had no secrets fromhim.
At last, having gained some measure of self-control, Galeotto begged toknow what had happened, and Cavalcanti related the event.
"What could I do? What could I do?" he cried when he had finished.
"You let them take him?" said Galeotto, like a man who repeats the thinghe has been told, because he cannot credit it. "You let them take him?"
"What alternative had I?" groaned Cavalcanti, his face ashen and searedwith pain.
"There is that between us, Ettore, that... that will not let me creditthis, even though you tell it me."
And now the wretched Lord of Pagliano began to use the very argumentsthat I had used to him. He spoke of Cosimo's suit of his daughter, andhow the Duke sought to constrain him to consent to the alliance. Heurged that in this matter of the Holy Office was a trap set for him toplace him in Farnese's power.
"A trap?" roared the condottiero, leaping up. "What trap? Where is thistrap? You had five score men-at-arms under your orders here--three scoreof them my own men, each one of whom would have laid down his life forme, and you allowed the boy to be taken hence by six rascals from theHoly Office, intimidated by a paltry score of troopers that rode withthis filthy Duke!"
"Nay, nay--not that," the other protested. "Had I dared to raise afinger I should have brought myself within the reach of the Inquisitionwithout benefiting Agostino. That was the trap, as Agostino himselfperceived. It was he himself who urged me not to intervene, but to letthem take him hence, since there was no possible charge which the HolyOffice could prefer against him."
"No charge!" cried Galeotto, with a withering scorn. "Did villainy everwant for invention? And this trap? Body of God, Ettore, am I to accountyou a fool after all these years? What trap was there that could besprung upon you as things stood? Why, man, the game was in your handsentirely. Here was this Farnese in your power. What better hostage thanthat could you have held? You had but to whistle your war-dogs toheel and seize his person, demanding of the Pope his father a plenaryabsolution and indemnity for yourself and for Agostino from anyprosecutions of the Holy Office ere you surrendered him. And had theyattempted to employ force against you, you could have held them in checkby threatening to hang the Duke unless the parchments you demanded weresigned and delivered to you. My God, Ettore! Must I tell you this?"
Cavalcanti sank to a seat and took his head in his hands.
"You are right," he said. "I deserve all your reproaches. I have been afool. Worse--I have wanted for courage." And then, suddenly, he rearedhis head again, and his glance kindled. "But it is not yet too late," hecried, and started up. "It is still time!"
"Time!" sneered Galeotto. "Why, the boy is in their hands. It is hostagefor hostage now, a very different matter. He is lost--irretrievablylost!" he ended, groaning. "We can but avenge him. To save him is beyondour power."
"No," said Cavalcanti. "It is not. I am a dolt, a dotard; and I havebeen the cause of it. Then I shall pay the price."
"What price?" quoth the condottiero, pondering the other with an eyethat held no faintest gleam of hope.
"Within an hour you shall have in your hands the necessary papers to setAgostino at liberty; and you shall carry them yourself to Rome. It isthe amend I owe you. It shall be made."
"But how is it possible?"
"It is possible, and it shall be done. And when it is done you may countupon me to the last breath to help you to pull down this pestilentialDuke in ruin."
He strode to the door, his step firm once more and his face set, thoughit was very grey. "I will leave you now. But you may count upon thefulfilment of my promise."
He went out, leaving Galeotto and Falcone alone, and the condottieroflung himself into a chair and sat there moodily, deep in thought, stillin his dusty garments and with no thought for changing them. Falconestood by the window, looking out upon the gardens and not daring tointrude upon his master's mood.
Thus Cavalcanti found them a hour later when he returned. He broughta parchment, to which was appended a great seal bearing the Pontificalarms. He thrust it into Galeotto's hand.
"There," he said, "is the discharge of the debt which through myweakness and folly I have incurred."
Galeotto looked at the parchment, then at Cavalcanti, and then at theparchment once more. It was a papal bull of plenary pardon and indemnityto me.
"How came you by this?" he asked, astonished.
"Is not Farnese the Pope's son?" quoth Cavalcanti scornfully.
"But upon what terms was it conceded? If it involves your honour, yourlife, or your liberty, here's to make an end of it." And he heldit across in his hands as if to tear it, looking up at the Lord ofPagliano.
"It involves none of these," the latter answered steadily. "You had bestset out at once. The Holy Office can be swift to act."