His sbirri brought the fellow here, and to make him speak the Duke improvised in his bedchamber a tratta di corde, which had the desired result." The Count's face grew dark with anger.

"The coward!" he muttered.

"The dastardly craven!" "But bethink you, sir Count," exclaimed Valdicampo, "that this poor Peppe is a frail and deformed creature, lacking the strength of an ordinary man, and do not judge him over-harshly." "It was not of him I spoke," replied Francesco, "but of my cousin, that cowardly tyrant, Gian Maria Sforza.

Tell me, Messer Valdicampo--what has become of Ser Peppe ?" "He is still here.

I have had him tended, and his condition is already much improved.