Pagina 233 van 310

But Vitellozzo remained very stubborn, for the death of his

brother warned him that he should not offend a prince and

afterwards trust him; nevertheless, persuaded by Pagolo Orsini,

whom the duke had corrupted with gifts and promises, he agreed to

wait.

Upon this the duke, before his departure from Fano, which was to

be on 30th December 1502, communicated his designs to eight of

his most trusted followers, among whom were Don Michele and the

Monsignor d'Euna, who was afterwards cardinal; and he ordered

that, as soon as Vitellozzo, Pagolo Orsini, the Duke di Gravina,

and Oliverotto should arrive, his followers in pairs should take

them one by one, entrusting certain men to certain pairs, who

should entertain them until they reached Sinigalia; nor should

they be permitted to leave until they came to the duke's

quarters, where they should be seized.