"I will not go that way," he said. "I will not go that way."
"He is in his mad fit again," thought Giacomo; aloud he said soothingly: "Come, lord, this is the only way; will you rather wait to see Verona's face when he discovers you? What is wrong with this way?" he added in vexation as Visconti made no movement. "Quick! the moments fly!"
Gian stepped forward with an effort.
"'Tis my fancy," he said. "Idle, truly, at such a moment. Open the door, Carrara."
The key ground in the lock—as Visconti had heard it once before that night turned on the other side.
Carrara paused, however, and having taken the lamp from the niche, put it down with a smile, and drew a parchment from his belt.
"I had forgotten," he said. "I will leave this, else Verona will miss the point of the jest; we will tell him what a brave catch his lieutenant hath allowed to escape the snare." And with the end of his dagger he drove the paper into the crevice of the stone. "I never loved Verona," he added, with an evil smile.
But Visconti had not heard, nor was he heeding him; his eyes were riveted upon the door.
Again Padua raised the lantern above his head.