"Had I heard of such a project," said the Spaniard, "I would, on the contrary, have given you warning.

And I give you one now." He then stated, as a fact known to him on unquestionable authority, that the Earl of Leicester had assassins at that moment in his employ to take the life of Count Lewis, adding that as for the trumpeter, who had just been hanged for the crime suborned by the writer, he was a most notorious lunatic.

In reply, Lewis, while he ridiculed this plea of insanity set up for a culprit who had confessed his crime succinctly and voluntarily, expressed great contempt for the counter-charge against Leicester.

"His Excellency," said the sturdy little Count, "is a virtuous gentleman, the most pious and God-fearing I have ever known.

I am very sure that he could never treat his enemies in the manner stated, much less his friends.