San Bacolo I beheld four heads, of men whom I have known and honoured."

"And who dishonoured themselves ere their heads were made a banquet for
the crows. There, Francesco!" He shuddered, and crossed himself. "It
is unlucky to speak of the dead at table."

"Let us speak, then, of their offence alone," persisted Francesco subtly.
"In what did it lie?

"In what?" returned the Duke amusedly. His voice was thin and inclining
to shrillness. "It is more than I can say. Masuccio knew. But the dog
would not disclose his secret nor the names of the conspirators until his
task should be accomplished and he had taken them at the treason he knew
they had gathered to ripen. But," he continued, an olive poised 'twixt
thumb and forefinger, "it seems they were not to be captured as easily as
he thought. He told me the traitors numbered six, and that they were to
meet a seventh there. The men who returned from the venture tell me too,
and without shame, that there were but some six or seven that beset them.
Yet they gave the Swiss trouble enough, and killed some nine of them
besides a half-score of more or less grievously wounded, whilst they but
slew two of their assailants and captured another two. Those were the
four heads you saw at the Porta San Bacolo."

"And Masuccio?" inquired Francesco. "Has he not told you since who were
those others that escaped?"

His Highness paused to masticate the olive.

"Why, there lies the difficulty," said he at length. "The dog is dead.
He was killed in the affray. May he rot in hell for his obstinate