"A moment, cavaliere. I said in your presence. I did not include Messer Pluto there in the interview."
He gave me an unpleasant look; but stopped short.
"Very well," he said, and taking a large key from his girdle, went on before me.
It cost me a great effort to keep cool, up to now my luck had been so great that every moment there was a temptation to put all to the hazard of one stroke. I smiled, under my beard, as I thought of the imposing fool Count Carlo had placed in charge of his prize, and when I saw the huge shaking hand clutching the key, I could not help thinking that nerves like that would never hold a sword straight, and that for all his size and courage, the cavaliere was not a very formidable foe.
In a few steps we reached the door he wanted, and Baglioni, after knocking once, simply turned the key and pushed open the door.
Looking over his shoulder I saw a small but well-furnished room, and standing in the middle of it, in startled surprise at this sudden intrusion, the figure of Angiola. Quick as thought I made a warning gesture, and almost at the moment Baglioni turned round with--
"A visitor for you, madam."
She did not seem to recognise me, but at the warning gesture I made, a faint flush came into her cheek. She stood looking at us half frightened, half indignant, and at last spoke.
"I do not recognise----"
"Ugo di Savelli, madam," and I bowed.