'I have made a sounding,' Bellarion informed him. 'Either she mistrusts me, or else she knows nothing of Barbaresco.' 'Be sure of the former, sir,' said the Regent softly. 'Procure credentials from Barbaresco, and try again. It should be easy, so.' CHAPTER XI UNDER SUSPICION At Barbaresco's a surprise awaited Messer Bellarion. The whole company of plotters swarmed about him as he entered the long dusty room of the mezzanine, and he found himself gripped at once between the fierce Casella and the reckless Spigno. He did not like their looks, nor those of any man present. Least of all did he like the looks of Barbaresco who confronted him, oily and falsely suave of manner. 'Where have you been, Master Bellarion?' He realised that he had need of his wits. He looked round with surprise and contempt in his stare. 'Oh, yes, you're conspirators to the life,' he told them. 'You see a spy in every neighbour, a betrayal in every act. Oh, you have eyes; but no wit to inform your vision. God help those who trust you! God help you all!' He wrenched at the arms that held him. 'Let me go, fools.' Barbaresco licked his lips. His right hand was held behind his back. Stealthily almost he came a step nearer, so that he was very close. 'Not until you tell us where you have been. Not then, unless you tell us more.' Bellarion's sneer became more marked; but no fear showed in his glance. 'Where I have been, you know. Hence these tragical airs. I've been to court.' 'To what end, Bellarion?' Barbaresco softly questioned. The others preserved a frozen, watchful silence. 'To betray you, of course.' He was boldly ironical. 'Having done so, I return so that you may slit my throat.' Spigno laughed, and released the arm he held. 'I for one am answered. I told you from the first I did not believe it.' Casella, however, hung on fiercely. 'I'll need a clear answer before I ...' 'Give me air, man,' cried Bellarion impatiently, and wrenched his arm free. 'No need to maul me. I'll not run. There are seven of you to prevent me, and reflection may cool your humours. Reflect, for instance, that, if I were for running, I should not have come back.' 'You tell us what you would not or did not do. We ask you what you did,' Barbaresco insisted. 'I'll tell you yet another thing I would not have done if my aim had been betrayal. I should not have gone openly to court so that you might hear of my presence there.' 'The very argument I employed,' Spigno reminded them, with something of Bellarion's own scorn in his manner now. 'Let the boy tell his tale.' They muttered among themselves. Bellarion crossed the room under their black looks, moving with the fearless air of a man strong in the sense of his own integrity. He slid into a chair.