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    The Pearls of Bonfadini
    The Pearls of Bonfadini
    The Pearls of Bonfadini
    Ebook78 pages1 hour

    The Pearls of Bonfadini

    By Max Brand

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    About this ebook

    Max Brand (1892-1944) is the best-known pen name of widely acclaimed author Frederick Faust, creator of Destry, Dr. Kildare, and other beloved fictional characters. Prolific in many genres he wrote historical novels, detective mysteries, pulp fiction stories and many more. His love for mythology was a constant source of inspiration for his fiction, and it has been speculated that these classical influences accounted in some part for his success as a popular writer. „The Pearls Of Bonfadini” is an adventurous historical romance set in 16th-century Italy. The main character is Tizzo, a master swordsman, known as „Firebrand” because of his flaming red hair and flame-blue eyes.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKtoczyta.pl
    Release dateOct 22, 2017
    ISBN9788381362566
    The Pearls of Bonfadini
    Author

    Max Brand

    Max Brand® (1892–1944) is the best-known pen name of widely acclaimed author Frederick Faust, creator of Destry, Dr. Kildare, and other beloved fictional characters. Orphaned at an early age, he studied at the University of California, Berkeley. He became one of the most prolific writers of our time but abandoned writing at age fifty-one to become a war correspondent in World War II, where he was killed while serving in Italy.

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      Book preview

      The Pearls of Bonfadini - Max Brand

      Max Brand

      The Pearls of Bonfadini

      Warsaw 2017

      Contents

      I. A STRANGE POISON

      II. STATECRAFT EXTRAORDINARY

      III. ARRIVAL OF TIZZO

      IV. THE SHREWD MACHIAVIELLI

      V. A MAD DOG

      VI. BONFADINI’S PLEASURE

      VII. A CAT IN A TREE

      VIII. THE BURNING OF A CANDLE

      IX. THE PEARLS

      X. BONFADINI AGAIN

      XI. ONE MAN’S POLICY

      I. A STRANGE POISON

      CESARE BORGIA, all in black, except for the white ruff of collar about his neck, black-masked also, across the upper part of his face, lolled in a big chair that had the dimensions and gave the effect of a throne. Always one who loved shadows, he had the room lighted by a few candles only and they cast on the wall wavering shadows of the men who stood near the chair of the duke of Romagna. Only Bonfadini’s face could be seen clearly; it was so bone-white that it seemed to be illumined from within. The poisoner’s expression was always one of still attention.

      Before the duke stood Giovanni Malatesta, the waver and some of the sooty smoke of the candles in his face, a captain in the employ of Oliverotto, the hired soldier. He was completely in plate armor. His helmet was plumed. His raised visor exposed a stern young face, fearless of the great man whom he was to address.

      The Borgia said: We’ve had enough compliments, Malatesta. Now let’s have the letter.

      Malatesta bowed, unrolled a scroll of paper, and read aloud: "To the most noble Cesare Borgia, duke of Valentinois and the Romagna, we who are signed below send greetings, set forth certain complaints, and declare the action which we are about to take.

      "Among our complaints the first is that no man’s life is safe when he comes near the noble duke, whether he be an enemy or too great a friend.

      "Second, the money which the noble duke promises for service is paid in full, always, but his other promises are neglected.

      "Third, his ambition is so great that presently there would be room for only one man in Italy.

      "For these reasons we have determined to serve him no longer but to stand together against him. For this purpose we sign our names:

      Giovanpaolo Baglione, Paolo Orsini, Fabio Orsini, Francesco Orsini, Oliverotto da Ferma, Vitellozzo Vitelli.

      The duke did not lift his head; there was a slight rustling sound as his men turned towards him. The pale hand of Alessandro Bonfadini, secretary and poisoner, drooping over the top of Borgia’s chair, touched his shoulder as though by accident, but received no sign.

      You have another paper there in your hand, said the Borgia. What is that?

      It is for Captain Tizzo, said the messenger.

      Is it as pleasant as the other? Read it! said the duke.

      Aloud? asked Malatesta.

      Aloud, if that pleases Captain Tizzo, also, said the duke.

      Tizzo of Melrose advanced a step and nodded, the candlelight glimmering on the red of his hair. Most of the men about him were not of middle age, and yet he seemed a youth among the youngest.

      Read it aloud, certainly, said Tizzo.

      Very well, said Malatesta. And unfurling the paper he read: "To the noble Captain Tizzo of Melrose:

      "We send you greetings as to a brave and wise officer by whom almost alone the towns of Forli and Urbino were won over to the possession of the duke of Romagna.

      Tizzo, we know your honesty and your quality as a soldier and as a man. With you at his side, we fear the duke. Without you, we care less for him than for an apple-paring…

      THE hand of Bonfadini again touched the shoulder of the Borgia, and this time that shoulder shrugged slightly up and down. Bonfadini glided instantly towards the candles, stepping between them and the open window. He leaned as though to trim the wicks, and each one that he touched gave, instantly, a slightly brighter flame, a single puff of pale smoke, as was natural. And the smoke was blowing towards Malatesta.

      The Malatesta was reading on: We wish all men to know that we desire to have you among us, a wise, trusted, and well-rewarded commander. Leave him and we will make your career famous. Stay with him and you will be praised and paid until you are dangerously strong, and then you will be stabbed and thrown in a gutter, as he has thrown other men.

      This is rather strong talk, said the Borgia calmly. But continue, Malatesta.

      The captain hesitated, shrugged his shoulders, and then struggled with a yawn; which was strange, because it was hardly a time or a place to feel sleepy.

      We wish to point out to you, continued the captain, reading, that although the duke holds the Lady Beatrice merely as a hostage for the good behavior of Giovanpaolo Baglione and promises that you shall have her hand in marriage as soon as–

      Captain Malatesta hesitated, yawned openly, rubbed his eyes, and fell suddenly to the ground.

      There was a general exclamation. Several of the men rushed forward to the fallen captain. And one of them cried out: Dead! Dead as a stone!

      The voice of the Borgia, usually muffled and low, now was heard saying loudly: A proper reward for traitors, my friends! Let all of you bear witness that no hand of mine touched this man; the finger of God was laid on him for his treachery. May all that he spoke for die like dogs in the same way. Bear witness, all of you!

      He

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