"Where is the father of the lad you so brutally and wantonly slew yesternight?
Seek him throughout Cesena, and when you find him not, perhaps you will realise that one who had seen his own son suffer such an outrageous and cruel death at your brigand's hands would be a willing and ready instrument in an act that should avenge him." Vergine santa! What a consternation was his.

He must have missed Mariani early in the day, for he took no measure, asked no questions that might confirm or refute the thing I announced.

His face grew livid, and his knees loosened.

He sank on to a chair and mopped the cold sweat from his brow with his great brown hand.

No thought had he now for the eyes of his officers or their opinions.