Nor did he need to inquire who, for he knew the Diavolessa bianca was behind him. A waft of icy air; and then a heavy hand, not human, had taken hold at his throat, and was choking him. He seemed to be dying, cried out, and awoke—to see Messer Giorgio standing by his side and dragging away the coverlet.
'Eh! pull yourself from your bed or they will depart without us. Arise! the hour is already past,' cried the antiquarian.
'What! Whither?' stammered Giovanni, half-asleep.
'Whither? Can you forget? To the villa of San Gervaso, to dig at the Hill of the Mill.'
'I go not thither.'
'You go not? What have I waked you for? Why have I bidden them saddle the black mule that the two of us may travel at ease? A truce to this stubbornness. Get up! Get up! Nay, then, a word in your ear, Giovannino: Messer Leonardo will be there.'
Giovanni leaped to his feet, and without another word threw on his clothes.
Presently they were in the courtyard, where all was ready for the start. Grillo was running hither and thither advising and directing. At last they set out. Other friends of Cipriano's, and among them Leonardo da Vinci, were to meet them later, by another path to San Gervaso.