The Piccinino began to laugh, a silent laugh in which there was something ghastly.
"May I be permitted to thwart him?" he asked.
"Morally, yes. But not a drop of blood must be shed!"
"Morally! good, I will exert my wits. Courage is not current coin with that fellow; but as we have made our bargain, or nearly so, it is time to explain to me the motive of this abduction."
"I will explain it to you, and you can reflect upon it as we walk."
"Impossible. I cannot do two things at once. I reflect only when my body is at rest."
And he coolly lay down again after relighting his cigarette.
Fra Angelo saw clearly enough that he would not allow himself to be led into action with his eyes closed.
"You know," he said, with no indication of impatience, "that Ninfo is the tool, the spy, the inseparable companion of a certain cardinal?"
"Hieronymo de Palmarosa?"