Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

The Moor of Milan “You have always given me more than justice. I am come to tell him what I have done.” “He knows, my friend. Lodovico always knows. But wait and see him. He is well pleased with you.” Lodovico came in, bathed and perfumed, in a loose gown like his wife’s and indeed not unlike a woman in spite of hisleanness. For he came with little mincing steps, he held out both hands and took Silvain’s and patted them, his voice was soft and caressing: “Tt is good to see you, Silvain. The sun shines on me this morning. Forgive us, you find us like homely folk. But I could not wait for ceremony when they told me it was you. And she—” he smiled upon his wife— “she is so full of you I am jealous, I promise you. Youare her hero, her paladin. There, sit down, man, and let me hear you tell your tale.’”’ But he did not wait to hear, he went on talking. ‘By my faith, I cannot blame her. It was a miracle, a master stroke. [-——”’ ‘“‘And Pavia is ours today,” said Beatrice quietly. ‘Yours, my lord?” Silvain said. “Oh, that was Ercole’s part. He came down upon the rogues that hunted you and drove them helter-skelter. The old knave Carlo had sent the best of his men out after you. There was fortune! Who could have counted on that? I vow you bring me luck, Silvain.”’ : “T think you counted on it, my lord. You had an army ready.” “My friend, it was to save you if you were in danger. I praise God that they were in time to bring you off. But indeed God has ruled all for good.” _ “Ercole broke into Pavia, my lord?” “Ves, oh yes. He beat those fellows who hunted you and chased them and came into the town on their heels. And 4 ‘“‘And he had infantry behind him to hold fast what he won. You thought of every- thing, my lord.” Lodovico rubbed his hands. “Tt has gone well, it has gone well,” he chuckled. ‘“‘But let me hear your story. You were magnificent.”’ “Not I, my lord. It is Louis’ Bonivard who delivered the lady.”” And Silvain told of the rescue, making Bonivard the hero. “By mv honor, it is a romance, a love © b) >) story!’ Lodovico chuckled. give him the lady, Silvain?”’ ‘And so you 99 “She has given herself, my lord. I have no right in her.” “Now, that is noble,’’ Lodovico purred. “That is the grand gesture. I hope he is worth it! What manner of man is he, this Bonivard?”’ ‘‘An oaf,” said Beatrice. ‘‘A calf in love.” Lodovico laughed. ‘A true Swiss soldier boy! It is wonderful what a nose the rogues have for a purse. Oh, Silvain, Silvain, here is an end to romance.”’ “He is a simple, honest gentleman, my lord. What will you do with him?” “T>? Oh, my friend, I have nothing for him. What does he want?” “As I think he wants nothing but his lady. But Pavia is hers.”’ “Surely, surely. She will hold Pavia as a fief of Milan. She is in my wardship. I shall be ready to marry her to a man who can give me loyal service.” He sighed and shook his head. ‘‘Why should I hide it, Silvain? I hoped that man would be you. It is why I sent you on this venture. And you have done well and more than well. You have won her. Why not wear her?” “Bonivard,? said Silvain. ‘She is all for Bonivard.” And he looked keenly at Lodo- vico. “I do not take another man’s wo- man.”’ “She has a rich inheritance,” Lodovico purred. “She is worth taking. Who is Lord of Pavia and stands by me will be a great man in Italy in the war that comes. When I march with the King of France on Florence and Naples, the Lord of Pavia has much to win.” “T ride to win honor and fortune,” Silvain said and he looked at Lodovico and looked down. ‘But she lives for Bonivard.’’ “What is Bonivard?” Beatrice cried. ‘(My page is more of aman. If she is worth anything, she is worth something~better.”’ “You tempt me,” said Silvain in a low voice. ‘But what of Bonivard? He troubles me.” He started up and paced moodily to and fro. Beatrice and Lodovico looked at each other, and his dark face smiled and she shrugged her shoulders and nodded and turned with a sneer on her lip to watch Silvain. “The fair Clarissa lives for Bonivard,” Lodovico purred. ‘It is unfortunate. But she is young and he will not live forever.”’ Silvain checked and turned. ‘Men do not Comicbooks.c© Al