Bari would have charged in again, but Leo forbade him with a gesture. A minute of tense silence, and then the Pope’s face relaxed. I knew that he had reached a relatively merciful decision. He cleared his throat. “A sad business, Gualtiero; a sad business, Forli. Very bunglingly managed as I think I see through it. Not that I applaud the attack on poor Bari,--Jove forbid!--but then there can be a certain finesse even in great crimes. This Orosi is not nearly as redoubtable a villain as he boasts--to that I’ll swear. Well,--what’s to be done? A pity surely to have Bari in such jeopardy and no reparation. I must mollify him. A good prebend at Orvieto fell vacant last week. You have applied for it, Forli: but you must withdraw your petition now. It shall go to Bari--eleven hundred ducats income. A fair salve for that sword thrust--eh?” The Pope’s eyes gleamed, and the Archbishop looked decidedly appeased. “I’ll not press Rocca whether _he_ knows anything of this business, though mayhap he ought to share the penalty with Forli. And now as to this bravo--a sturdy rascal, a very sturdy rascal! What a pity not in a more honest calling! And yet he were better hanged.” “I cry your Holiness’s mercy,” began Orosi, dropping deftly on his knees, and squeezing the drops out of his eyes. “I swear by the Mother of God and all Angels that I have resolved, if spared this once, to devote all my days to the war against the Turkish infidels. Peccavi! Peccavi! The compassion of your Holiness is known to all the world.” “Tush!” commanded the Pope, almost laughing now. “Rise up! Do you think I’ll spare you for vows like that? I was only wondering whether you would prove useful to my kinsmen in Florence.” “Ah, yes! yes! Holiness. There is much that a man of my ability can do in Florence. I will be faithful forever. My gratitude--” “Stand him aside,” ordered Leo; “at least he needn’t hang to-night.” And then he fixed his eyes on me. “So you are left, Gualtiero? Let me see. Did the company at Chigi’s hear the whole story, the bravo’s accusation and all the rest?” “The greater part, your Holiness,” said Fabriano. “_Misericordia!_ It will be all over Rome then in the morning. If it had only first come to me privately! Surely you see that I can’t pardon you now. What an unlucky position! And you desire to make no defence? Well--how can I seem to temper justice with mercy, and yet punish you? I believe you have a castle and estates in Germany?” I bowed assent.