"There are no simples or herbs of grace to be found amongst reeds
and half-drowned willows," I said. "What did so learned a doctor
look for in so unlikely a place?"
He shrugged his shoulders and made play with his clawlike hands,
as if he understood me not. It was a lie, for I knew that he and the
English tongue were sufficiently acquainted. I told him as much,
and he shot at me a most venomous glance, but continued to shrug,
gesticulate, and jabber in Italian. At last I saw nothing better to do
than to take him, still by the collar, to the edge of the garden next
the churchyard, and with the toe of my boot to send him tumbling
among the graves. I watched him pick himself up, set his attire to
rights, and go away in the gathering dusk, winding in and out
among the graves; and then I went in to supper, and told Mistress
Percy that the snake was dead.
CHAPTER X IN WHICH I RECEIVE A WARNING AND REPOSE A TRUST
SHORTLY before daybreak I was wakened by a voice beneath my
window. "Captain Percy," it cried, "the Governor wishes you at his
house!" and was gone.
I dressed and left the house, disturbing no one. Hurrying through
the chill dawn, I reached the square not much behind the rapid
footsteps of the watch who had wakened me. About the Governor's
door were horses, saddled and bridled, with grooms at their heads,
men and beasts gray and indistinct, wrapped in the fog.
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