Adventure Magazine Cover — page 135: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

134 discoverer of the new trade-route—when you return. But return successful, for we have no clemency for one who fails.” A flush mounted to the Spaniard’s brow which had become moist again. “T? My lord, the way is perilous. Scarce I es fe “By your own words you would fain visit again this city that is an earthly paradise. You know the way. Have no fear that you will not be rewarded.” a hesitated and bowed low. ‘Then he jumped and swore roundly. A roaring, mighty laugh broke the silence of the councilchamber. Yet none of the coun- cilors had uttered a sound and certainly Clavijo and the attendant had not pre- sumed to laugh. Contarini it was who broke the spell of stupefaction by starting up and looking angrily at the wall behind which, in the whis- pering gallery, Michael Bearn was doubled up with mirth, laughing until he coughed. The sound, magnified by the hidden gal- lery, had burst upon the councilors like a thunderclap and not a few crossed them- selves in awe. “By the blessed Saint Lawrence and his gridiron!” Bembo pulled at his companion in a frenzy of alarm. “Are you mad? They will be here in a minute with drawn swords. Come, or you will end your laugh in a dungeon——” Fairly skipping with anxiety, he guided the still chuckling Michael up the steps, and listened a moment alertly. Michael seemed indifferent to the peril that was real enough to Bembo. Hearing the sound of pikes striking the floor in the direction of the council chamber, Bembo turned the other way at the head of the stairs. He knew that there was a warder at the postern door by which they had entered. So, instead of retracing his steps, he ran up another flight of stairs, slowing down as he emerged with Michael into a tapestried hall where several attendants without masks lounged. “The council has broken up,” Bembo an- nounced when the servants glanced at him inquiringly. At the foot of the stair behind them Michael could see Contarini pass hastily toward the listening chamber with a group of halberdiers. CLAVIJO started to speak again, Adventure Following Bembo’s lead he walked quietly toward the entrance at the end of the hall that was the main gate of the council house. The hunchback had reasoned quickly that the guards at the door, not having seen him enter, would take him and the Breton for_ Contarini’s followers. Likewise, he knew that the aroused councilors would not be aware of the identity of the men who had been in the listening chamber. So, playing both ends against the midday he went to the gate, nodded to the pikeman e — on guard and emerged under the stars. As they did so they heard a distant shout from below and saw the servitors run to the head of the stairs up which they had come. “They will bar the gate,” whispered Bembo. ~ “But, praise be to Saint Mark, we are outside the bars.” Michael noted with disgust that they were again on a landing with the canal in _ front of them. While they waited anx- iously for a gondola to pass, a flurried coun- cilor rushed through the door, glanced hastily at Bembo, and,: recognizing him, glared at the dark canal. “Did you see a man flee here hence, Bembo?” he questioned. “Not yet, my lord,” replied the hunch- back truthfully. ‘But, if it please you, I will watch to observe when a man leaves the building.” When the councilor had reentered the hall, the great door was closed and barred. The two could hear the sounds of a hurried search within. They hailed the first empty craft that came abreast of the landing, and when they were fairly out of sight along the canal Bembo, who was curious by nature, turned to his new friend. “What made you laugh, signor?” Michael smiled reminiscently, “‘A splen- did jest, my Bembo.” As he had listened to Clavijo’s tale at the féte he had-been struck by grave doubts as to its truth. The flowery descriptions of the Spaniard did not conform to Michael’s knowledge of the Salt Sea and its tribes. Furthermore, the man’s face was vaguely familiar. Michael had a keen memory, but he could not place the man at first. Not until the testimony had been given before the council and Clavijo had been plainly + +> disturbed did Michael remember him. Then ke recalled another frightened man. The scene on the shore at Nicopolis flashed before him, and he visioned a tall, stalwart Colimkelekexo <SaE@) _