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"How can I," I cried, "when the other boys ht into his path?"

I ran out and into the big salon and into the portego, the great room of the house

Another boy, Jacope, lay cru at it with his knees I saw the blood running on the stones

"Oh, this is beyond all fairness; this is a slaughter of innocents!" I shouted "Lord Harlech, show yourself You're about to die "

I heard Riccardo cry out behind me The little boy was obviously dead

I ran towards the stairs "Lord Harlech, I'm here!" I called out "Come out, you brutish coward, you slayer of children! I have a millstone ready for your neck!"

Riccardo spun me around "There, A out as he drew it He was much better than me with the sword, but this battle was mine

The o I had hoped he would be staggering drunk, but no such luck I saw in aone; he had slain two boys, and he knew his lust had led him to a final stand This was hardly an enemy crippled by love

"Jesus in Heaven, help us!" whispered Riccardo

"Lord Harlech," I cried "You dare make a shambles of ive us both room, as I motioned Riccardo to coht of the rapier Not heavy enough I wished to God I had practiced with it more

The Englishman careat reach to his ar, his feet sheathed in heavy boots, his rapier raised and his long Italian dagger ready in the other hand At least he didn't have a true and heavy sword

Dwarfed by the great roo of stature and had a head of roaring British copper hair His blue eyes were stewed in blood, but he was steady in his walk and in his aze His face ith bitter tears

"Amadeo," he called out over the vast room as he came on "You cut my heart out of my chest while I lived and breathed, and you took it with you! We shall be together this night in Hell "

Chapter 6

6