So calm and firm and full of assurance was his tone, so unquestionable his right to command them, that the men sprang instantly to obey him.
“What would you do, my lord?” quoth the officer, and he seemed daunted.
“Buffoon,” said Gambara between his teeth. “You shall see.”
Six men came hurrying from the gatehouse, and the Cardinal called to them.
“Let the corporal stand forth,” he said.
A man advanced a pace from the rank they had hastily formed and saluted.
“Place me your officer under arrest,” said the Legate coldly, advancing no reason for the order. “Let him be locked in the gatehouse until my return; and do you, sir corporal, take command here meanwhile.”
The startled fellow saluted again, and advanced upon his officer. The lieutenant looked up with sudden uneasiness in his eyes. He had gone too far. He had not reckoned upon being dealt with in this summary fashion. He had been bold so long as he conceived himself no more than Cosimo's mouthpiece, obeying orders for the issuing of which Cosimo must answer. Instead, it seemed, the Governor intended that he should answer for them himself. Whatever he now dared, he knew—as Gambara knew—that his men would never dare to disobey the Governor, who was the supreme authority there under the Pope.
“My lord,” he exclaimed, “I had my orders from the Captain of Justice.”
“And dare you to say that your orders included my messengers and my own self?” thundered the dainty prelate.