Suddenly a pistol-shot crackled below, and startled the Swiss, who looked
at one another. One burly fellow whom they named Hubli held the dice-box
poised for a throw that was never made.
Across the courtyard below men were running with drawn swords, shouting as
they ran, and hurled themselves through the doorway leading to the quarters
where the Swiss were at table. This the guards saw through the open
window, and they stared, muttering German oaths to express their deep
bewilderment.
And then there came a creak of winches and a grinding of chains to inform
us that the bridge was being taken up. At last those four lanzknechte
looked at us.
"Beim blute Gottes!" swore Hubli. "Was giebt es?"
Our set faces, showing no faintest trace of surprise, quickened their
alarm, and this became flavoured by suspicion when they perceived at last
how closely we pressed about them.
"Continue your game," said Confalonieri quietly, "it will be best for you."
The great blonde fellow Hubli flung down the dice-box and heaved himself up
truculently to face the speaker who stood between him and the lances.
Instantly Confalonieri stabbed him, and he sank back into his chair with a
cry, intensest surprise in his blue eyes, so sudden and unlooked-for had
the action been.
Galeotto had already left the group about the table, and with a blow of his
great hand he felled the usher who sought to bar his passage to the Duke's
chamber.
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