Excerpt:. to go home before you. Caterina was in the plot.' 'I wonder he did not defer the attempt when he found you would not be alone,' I said to Checco. 'He knows I am never alone, and such an opportunity would not easily occur again. Perhaps he thought they could avoid you two, or even murder you as well.' 'But Ercole and his men?' I said. 'Yes, I have been thinking about them. The only explanation I have is that he placed them there to cover their flight if they succeeded, and if they failed or could not escape, to kill them.' 'As, in fact, they did. I thought I saw Ercole make a sign to the soldier who stabbed the only living one.' 'Possibly. The idea was evidently to destroy all witnesses and all opportunity for inquiry.' 'Well,' said Matteo, 'it will show others that it is dangerous to do dirty work for the Riario.' 'It will indeed!' 'And now, what is to happen?' said Matteo. Checco looked at him, but did not reply. 'Do you still refuse to do to Girolamo as he has tried to do to you?' Checco answered quietly,— 'No!' 'Ah!' we both cried. 'Then you consent?' 'I see no reason now for not taking the law into my own hands.' 'Assassination?' whispered Matteo. And Checco answered boldly,— 'Assassination!' Then, after a pause, 'It is the only way open to me. Do you remember Lorenzo's words? They have been with me every day, and I have considered them very, very deeply: "Let Checco know that it is only the fool who proposes to himself an end, when he cannot or will not attain it; but the man who deserves the name of man marches straight to the goal with clearness of mind and strength of will. He looks at things as they are, putting aside all vain appearances, and when his intelligence has shown him the means to his end, he is a fool if he refuses them, and he is a wise man if he uses them steadily and unhesitatingly." I know the end, and I will attain it. I know the means, and I will use them steadily, without hesitation.' 'I am glad to hear you.