Clementina

"Now what will I do to you?" said Wogan. "Did you not fire at my back?

That's reprehensible cowardice. And with my own pistol, too, which is

sheer impertinence. What will I do with you?" The man's expression was

so pitiable, his heavy cheeks hung in such despairing folds, that Wogan

was stirred to laughter. "Well, you have put me to a deal of

inconvenience," said he; "but I will be merciful, being strong, being

most extraordinary strong. I'll send you back to your master the Emperor

with a message from me that four men are no manner of use at all. Come

in here for a bit."

Wogan took the unfortunate man and led him into the parlour. Then he lit

a lamp, and making his captive sit where he could see any movement that

he made, he wrote a very polite note to his Most Catholic Majesty the

Emperor wherein he pointed out that it was a cruel thing to send four

poor men who had never done harm to capture Charles Wogan; that no King

or Emperor before who had wanted to capture Charles Wogan, of whom there

were already many, and by God's grace he hoped there would be more, had

ever despatched less than a regiment of horse upon so hazardous an

expedition; and that when Captain O'Toole might be expected to be

standing side by side with Wogan, it was usually thought necessary to

add seven batteries of artillery and a field marshal. Wogan thereupon

went on to point out that Peri was in Venetian territory, which his Most

Catholic Majesty had violated, and that Charles Wogan would accordingly

feel it his bounden duty not to sleep night or day until he had made a

confederation of Italian states to declare war and captivity upon his

Most Catholic Majesty. Wogan concluded with the assurances of his

profoundest respects and was much pleased by his letter, which he sealed

and compelled his prisoner upon his knees to promise to deliver into the

Emperor's own hands.

"Now where is that pretty warrant?" said Wogan, as soon as this

important function was accomplished.

"It is signed by the Governor of Trent," said the man.

"Who in those regions is the Emperor's deputy. Hand it over."

The man handed it over reluctantly.

"Now," continued Wogan, "here is paper and ink and a chair. Sit down and

write a full confession of your audacious incursion into a friendly

country, and just write, if you please, how much you paid the landlady

to hear nothing of what was doing."