"It might be done," said he, after a pause. "But we shall have to look
for desperate knaves; men who are already under a ban, and to whom it
will matter little to have another item added to their indebtedness to
the law should they fall into its talons. How soon shall you require
this forlorn company?"

"By to-morrow night."

"I wonder----" mused Ercole. He was counting on his fingers, and
appeared to have lapsed into mental calculations. "I could get half-a-
score or a dozen within a couple of hours. But a score----" Again he
paused, and again he fell to thinking. At last, more briskly: "Let us
hear what pay you offer me, to thrust myself thus blindfolded into this
business of yours as leader of the company you require?" he asked
suddenly.

Gonzaga's face fell at that. Then he suddenly stiffened, and put on an
expression of haughtiness.

"It is my intent to lead this company myself," he loftily informed the
ruffler.

"Body of God!" gasped Ercole, upon whose mind intruded a grotesque
picture of such a company as he would assemble, being led by this mincing
carpet-knight. Then recollecting himself: "If that be so," said he, "you
had best, yourself, enrol it. Felicissima notte!" And he waved him a
farewell across the table.

Here was a poser for Gonzaga. How was he to go about such a business as