Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

94 Adventure “What do you want of me?” he said in a low voice. ‘‘Why do you follow me?” “By my faith, I did not follow you. That I should find you in Pavia, I never thought when I came.”’ “Then go your way and let me go mine. You despise me, you told me so. What I do is nothing to you and, I promise you, what you may do is nothing to me.”’ “Sir, you are very mysterious.” “I>”? Bonivard laughed. ‘I am a simple Swiss gentleman riding to see the world. But you—”’ he shrugged—“‘my faith, what are you? If I go to the castle and tell my Lord Carlo that Silvain de St. Lo is in the town in disguise you will not long be free.”’ “Who knows?” Silvain smiled. ‘For you will not go, my friend.” “T owe you nothing and I do not fear you.” “Then go if you will and betray me. It is true, I am here by stealth and in disguise. I have come to Pavia to deliver the Lady Clarissa from her prison. Here is news that Carlo will pay a price for, my friend.” “Vou are mad,” said Louis Bonivard, and again he looked behind him. Then he began to laugh. ‘Why do you tell me such a tale?” “Because it is true. See, I am in your hand, Louis. Betray me; go your own way; join with me—you have the choice.” Bonivard did not answer. He turned sharp out of the narrow street into the square before the castle and led Silvain into the middle of it. There certainly no one could overhear them. “Vou are very careful, Louis.” Silvain smiled. “What is the Lady Clarissa to you?” said Bonivard in a low voice. “T never saw her. But she is a woman in captivity. It is a knight’s work to de- liver her.”’ “What have you to gain by it?” “Oh Louis, Louis!” Silvain shook his head. ‘You are still keeping accounts! I seek nothing and nothing shall I take but the honor of the venture.” “But it is a mad thing,” said Bonivard heavily. ‘She is here in prison and Carlo has five hundred men-at-arms in his pay. What can you do for her?” “Have you found no way to her yet?” said Silvain softly. Bonivard stopped and stared at him and said at last: “Swear that you will be true to her, Sir Silvain.” “T have never been false to man or wo- man. By my father’s soul I will be true to you and your lady.” Bonivard grasped his hand. “T should thank God for you. This is a hard venture. But tell me how did you know I came for her? If any man suspects me, there is no hope for me or her.” Silvain laughed. “T think no man knows you but me, Louis. You are the wariest youth in the world. But you puzzled me. You were so eager to hear of knightly ventures, yet when one came you would not take it. I thought then it was for your own sake you were careful. But still you puzzled me. When I found you here in Pavia I saw light. You were not your own man. You have saved yourself for a nobler venture. [I put you to the test and you showed me yourself while you tried to hide. Forgive me, Louis.” “I might have trusted you,” Bonivard said. ‘Sir, I loved the Lady Clarissa long ago and while her father lived I had hope of her. For she gave me her heart, though he planned a better marriage. Then his death came and this knave Carlo flung her into prison. My father bade me forget her, for our lands are far away by Geneva and he would not venture his strength in Italy. But I was bound to her and J am here.” “Tt is well done,” said Silvain. ‘And now, what is to do? In which of the hun- dred towers is your lady? Have you found her yet?” “T have found her,” Bonivard said heavily. yocly THEY passed through the dark gh streets and climbed the rampart , aE, where it was low on the riverbank. Close upon the water, bulging out from the rampart like a buttress, rising high above it, stood a tower. Bonivard stopped. “She is there. It is the red tower, where the lords of Pavia kept the townsfolk who troubled them. And if the town tried to rescue them, they were flung into the river.”’ “She is there,’ Silvain repeated and looked long. He could make out no guard at the gate, but in the dark mass of the tower a narrow window here and there made a point of light. “You are sure?” CoOmiclboolks.6 nn)