CHAPTER II. THE CAPTAIN OF JUSTICE 

There was a moment's silence after Rinolfo had flung that announcement. 

"The Captain of Justice?" quoth my mother at length, her voice startled. "What does he seek?" 

"The person of my Lord Agostino d'Anguissola," said Rinolfo steadily. 

She sighed very heavily. "A felon's end!" she murmured, and turned to me. "If thus you may expiate your sins," she said, speaking more gently, "let the will of Heaven be done. Admit the captain, Ser Rinolfo." 

He bowed, and turned sharply to depart. 

"Stay!" I cried, and rooted him there by the imperative note of my command. 

Fra Gervasio was more than right when he said that mine was not a nature for the cloister. In that moment I might have realized it to the full by the readiness with which the thought of battle occurred to me, and more by the anticipatory glow that warmed me at the very thought of it. I was the very son of Giovanni d'Anguissola. 

"What force attends the captain?" I inquired. 

"He has six mounted men with him," replied Rinolfo. "In that case," I answered, "you will bid him begone in my name." 

"And if he should not go?" was Rinolfo's impudent question. 

"You will tell him that I will drive him hence--him and his braves. We keep a garrison of a score of men at least--sufficient to compel him to depart." 

"He will return again with more," said Rinolfo. 

"Does that concern you?" I snapped. "Let him return with what he pleases. To-day I enrol more forces from the countryside, take up the bridge and mount our cannon. This is my lair and fortress, and I'll defend it and myself as becomes my name and blood. For I am the lord and master here, and the Lord of Mondolfo is not to be dragged away thus at the heels of a Captain of Justice. You have my orders, obey them. About it, sir." 
Was it quiet after the announcement? How quiet? Who made the announcement? Who was it about? Is he there? Is he alone? Who's with him? What does he want? Who is told to let him in? Who tells him that? Does her son let Rinolfo leave? What does he tell him to do? And what is he to tell the Captain? Does Rinolfo think he will leave? How many men do they have around? Is that enough to get rid of him? What will he bring back with him? What will the son start doing today? What does he plan to defend? What does he call himself?
Yes a moment's Rinolfo The Captain of Justice yes no six men The person of my Lord Agostino d'Anguissola Ser Rinolfo." mother no Stay!" bid him begone Yes but return a score at least yes more men enrol more forces lair and fortress lord and master