At last Francesco's worldly habit flashed upon him.
"What of the Cross?" he flashed abruptly.
"There is blood upon it!" retorted Francesco.
"All is blood in these days," the duke said musingly. "Are you with us?"—
"I have broken the rosary!"—
The duke extended his broad hand, in which Francesco's almost disappeared as he closed upon it.
There was a great wrath in his eyes.
"We ride at sun-rise!"
"Our goal?"—