Had I, arrayed in the panoply of Mother Church, defied the devil, my victory could not have been more complete.
He looked about him like a man whose wits have been scattered suddenly to the four winds of Heaven.
"But this litter," he mumbled, riveting his dazed eyes upon me, "and these four knaves-- ?" "Tell me," I questioned, with sudden earnestness, "are you in quest of just such a party ?" "Aye that I am," he answered sharply, intelligence returning to his glance, inquiry burning in it.
"And would the men, peradventure, be wearing the livery of the House of Santafior ?" His quick assent came almost choked in a company of oaths.
"Why then, if that be your quarry, you are but wasting time.

Such a party passed us at the gallop about an hour ago.

It would be an hour, would it not, Giacopo ?" "I should say an hour," answered the lacquey dully.
"In what direction ?" came Ramiro's frenzied question.

He doubted me no longer.
"In the direction of Fabriano I should say," I answered.

"Although it may well be that they were making for Sinigaglia.