Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

124 spurred southward some way and vanished. “Alas, it is not for me,” said Silvain. “This is the secret venture that would be spoiled if I rode away with news of it. But I did ride away and still he ventures. A brave Gilbert! Well, you have laid a pretty ambush. Who is to fall into it, Gilbert? Fare you well, I go to see.”’ He stole down to the horses and Thibaut, and they mounted and worked round among the hills till they came on the road far to southward and out of sight of the sentries of Gilbert. But they had come too far. Between them and the ambush a long train of horsemen with baggage mules and litters was going leisurely on to destruction. Silvain galloped after it holding up his hand. It halted, a knight came out from it and met him. “Who is your captain?” Silvain cried. ‘‘T am Silvain de St. Lo, a knight of France.” “I am the captain of the guard of my lord of Mantua. Do you come from the King of France?” Silvain saw the wrinkled scarred face of an old soldier of fortune look at him cun- ningly. “T come from myself. My news is that you are in danger.” The Mantuan looked round at his men at arms and laughed, and Silvain went on: “Sir, you know what you have with you that is worth taking. I know that three miles away there is an ambush laid to take it. There are forty men against you. If you can break through, go your way and God be with you. I have done my part.” The Mantuan pulled his lip. “Forty?” he said. “Frenchmen?” “God made them French, sir. The devil made them rogues.” The Mantuan looked along the road, looked at the broken ground and made up his mind. “Good thanks, sir. I go back,” and he shouted orders. But in the midst of them a woman’s voice called him. He made a grimace. “Come sir, tell your tale, I pray you,” he said and ‘brought Silvain to a litter borne by mules. Its curtains were drawn back. The woman in it had raised herself on her cushions. Silvain saw a dainty face made piquant by the mocking curve of the mouth. It would have been fragile but for the breadth of brow. It would have been too Adventure’ fair but for the violet darkness of the eyes. ‘“‘Why do we loiter, Taddeo?” she said, and looked at Silvain. “Here is a French knight come to tell there is a French ambush set for us. I turn back, my lady.” “Why does he forsake his friends to serve me?” her eyes were steady on Silvain. “They are no friends of mine who bring shame on France,” Silvain answered. ‘For the honor of France I must save you, lady.” “And so for the honor of France I am to run away. I thank you, sir. Do you know who I am?” “T know that you are a woman.” Silvain bowed. ‘That commands all of me.” “T am Isabella d’Este, sir,’’ she cried. And Silvain smiled as he bowed again for he understood the anxieties of Gilbert and Philibert. Isabella d’Este was as great a lady as any in Italy and the wife of the Marquis of Mantua, a potent prince and a soldier of fame. She would be a splendid capture. The man who had her to sell might ask what he chose of Italy or France. But she was not pleased with that smile. “Oh, you are merry! It is a jest that I can not come to my own city but must turn and run from your French brigands.”’ “By my faith I do not bid you turn back. I say there are forty men in ambush to capture you. Here are more than forty with you. If theychave heart for it they may break through and bring youon. But if you do not trust them it is time to turn and be gone.” She looked at Taddeo but he shook his cautious head. ‘‘My lady, I dare not bring you into danger. I have to answer for you to your lord.” “You shall answer for it if you turn back,’ she cried. “I go on, Taddeo, I go on if I go alone. March, sirrah!’’ “Oh lady, you are too bold,” Silvain laughed. “Here is only one captain and that is not you.” He saluted to Taddeo. ‘“‘At your orders, sir.” And he drew away from her making Taddeo’s horse move too. ‘“‘Now let us order it.” ‘What the am I to do with her?” Taddeo muttered. ‘You see what she is.” “Let her stay where she is,”’ Silvain said. ‘Leave a dozen men and the rest of us try our fortune. If it goes ill they can bring her off. But I think it will not go ill.” ‘“‘The men are well enough,” said Taddeo. “They will fight out a fight. But there is CoMmiclbook A) CO =