'What is it?' asked Leonardo of Marco d'Oggionno, who had also entered, arquebus in hand, and was beginning to shut the shutters.
'I know not exactly. It would seem a crowd of housebreakers, egged on by monks.'
'What is their demand?'
'Only their father can understand these sons of the devil! They demand the Holy Nail.'
'I have it not. 'Tis in the sacristy in the care of Monsignor Arcimboldi.'
''Tis what I told them. But being mad as dogs in the time of the summer solstice, they hearkened not, but continued to vilify Your Worship as an infidel and a sorcerer, and the poisoner of Gian Galeazzo.'
During this colloquy the noise in the street grew apace.
'Open, or we will fire this accursed nest. In one moment, Leonardo, you shall be flayed! Demon! Antichrist!'
'Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered!' chanted Fra Timoteo to the accompaniment of Farfanicchio's stridulous whistle.
Suddenly Jacopo, the wicked little servant, ran in, sprang on the window ledge, opened the shutter, and was going to jump into the courtyard, but Leonardo held him back.