ability--Giovanni Battista da Montesicco, a native of the Roman
Campagna--who was under heavy obligation to Count Girolamo de' Riari. Of
course he was perfectly willing, as became his calling, to sell his
sword for good payment: he further undertook to enlist his lieutenant,
Hieronimo Comiti, in the cause.

The Condottiere was sent off to Florence to communicate to Cavaliere
Giacopo de' Pazzi the "idea" of the three chief plotters, to test his
feelings, and, if possible, secure his adherence. At first the old man
was "as cold as ice"--so Montesicco said in his confession later on--and
declined to take any part in the conspiracy. After hearing all that was
put before him, he enquired whether Sixtus approved the scheme.

"Why, his Holiness," replied the Condottiere, "has sent me straight to
your Honour to ask your support.... I speak for the Pope."

"Then," said Giacopo, "I am with you."

A few days later Archbishop Salviati and Francesco de' Pazzi joined
Montesicco at Giacopo's country villa, at Montughi, just beyond the
Porta Rosso, on the high road to Bologna. Consultations between the
heads of the two families, Pazzi and Salviati--were held there, with the
concurrence of a certain number of influential citizens inimical to the
Medici.

These meetings were given out as hunting-parties and, to blind their
eyes, overtures were made to both Lorenzo and Giuliano to honour the
sport with their presence. Needless to say, Francesco de' Pazzi's return
to Florence, in company with the unfriendly Archbishop, aroused
Lorenzo's suspicions, but he does not appear to have taken any action.