"Jacopi," I exclaimed, "but my name is no longer Savelli. It is Donati now--and what do you here?"
He looked a trifle embarrassed, as he replied, "I am seeking service--I left the army when your excellency left."
Knowing the man to be a stout soldier, I decided on the instant what to do.
"See here," I said, "I have no time to lose. Will you follow me once more? I am bound to Rome on an urgent affair, and leave to-day."
"Will a dog sniff at a bone? Will a cat pass by cream? Will an ass turn up his nose at a carrot? I will follow to the devil, let alone Rome, excellency, and at once if you will."
"Nothing, signore, but an arquebus and my sword, which I have at my lodging."
"Then come with me, we must buy two horses, and leave at once."
"I am ready, your worship," and taking his place a little behind me we hurried on.
"We will have a hard task to get at Rome, now that the whole country is up, signore," said Jacopo as we walked along.
"I have thought of that," I answered, "I propose to go by Leghorn, and taking ship there, proceed to Rome by sea."
Jacopo gave such a groan at this, that I turned round in surprise, and became at once aware that my shadower had crossed the road, and come so close up to us that he must have overheard every word of our conversation. This was most annoying, and a disaster of which the future consequences might be most serious. I determined however to be rid of him for the rest of my stay in Florence at any rate, and addressed him sharply--
"Signore, I seem to have excited much curiosity in you. May I ask what it is you want?"
He stood for a moment, at a loss for reply, and then said, "The road is as free to me as to you."
"I admit that," I said; "but I object to your stopping to listen to my conversation, and therefore will be obliged by your passing on, unless you want a more severe punishment than you received last night."
He turned pale with anger, and slipped his hand into his vest; but as suddenly pulled it out again, and without another word hurried past us.
"Mark that man, Jacopo;" I said, "wherever he is, there is danger for us."
"Your excellency has only to say the word," and Jacopo put his hand to his belt.
"Not so, my friend. Florence is not a safe place for a man to use his dagger in broad daylight, unless covered by the cloak of a great man. Besides it is not to my taste. Merely keep your eyes open, and if you see him anywhere, tell me at once."