Meanwhile Bebo was at Milan.

'There it happened that M.Francesco Vinta, of Volterra, was on embassy from the Duke of Florence.

He saw Bebo, and asked him what he was doing in Milan, and Bebo answered that he was a knight errant.' This phrase--derived, no doubt, from the romantic epics then in vogue--was a pretty euphemism for a rogue of Bebo's quality.

The ambassador now began cautiously to sound his man, who seems to have been outlawed from the Tuscan duchy, telling him he knew a way by which he might return with favor to his home, and at last disclosing the affair of Lorenzino.

Bebo was puzzled at first, but when he understood the matter, he professed his willingness, took letters from the envoy to the Duke of Florence, and, in a private audience with Cosimo, informed him that he was ready to attempt Lorenzino's assassination.