The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-28
CHAPTER XVIII.

ChAfI In AFAAL'
The Spider catches his Fly.
Lis zine o'clock IN the morning, but Mar
., has lot yet awakened from his heavy sleep.
7, Eberal use of the contents of the small tin
b,T last night has prolonged his stupor be-
,oDa ths usual number of hours. He arouees
sinself at last, looking wildly about as if in
.lann. for thore is loud knocking aS the
Jor Presently he appears to reeollect him.
~ spd hsstens to admit the visiter. It is
7,chr.iah Grit.
Morning" says he, on entering. Pm
,ne % the time.o
you got my note, then" answered Martin /;
At is we'll" 80
What's up?" inquired Zach.
Martin puts Ills foyer Gu bis lip, re.opens
re door, looks out on tie landing and having
.be door again quietly, and follows Grit up to
u3nlously indicted himeelf.
They will be here IN less than half an
hour no says
aTaeyl Who2" asks Zachariah.
Monsieur Ayelmg and Gaetano Pclligrini,"
rsEers Martin.
Zach gives long low whistle.
That's unpleasant news" he observes.
You'd best to say quick what you've got to
sl me, and let me go. | mightn't keep quite
cgsl in front Ct Mark"
IL have nothing to say" resumes Martin.
sThen what in the name of ell creation did
sou send 20 me for % asks Zach, interrupting
I'm "You don't know, you don't, what's
sKeen Marx and me. There's that that
nskes bad blood, | tell you. We mustn't
meet OF therc'n be damage done to the law ;
yes sir"
He gets no, but is pushed back into the
chair again by Martin, who says, with great
eyclness-
sYou must stay here. do not know what
i going on Pelligrini does not trust me.
Whenever Monsieur Aveling comes, | am al
Esy5 sent out of the way. | know nothing,
CAY that there is danger. told you would
MORN you. have kept my word"
aWell, that's fact" replies Grit, "but
ghat am to doe"
81 viii conceal you where you shall over
beer what they say" observes Martin.
He passes behind the arm chair, and opens
a closet in the wainscoting. 1t is full of
bolks, parchments and litter of various kinds,
hut there Is still room enough for q man of
Grit's slender proportions.
Here you must hide here,n resumes Mar
tn. 81 will lock you in, and release you as
5cca after they are gone as can"
Zach inspccts the closet with degree OF
curiosity not unnatural under the circum.
Stances His oounsonsnce assumes a puzzled
expression. He hesitate5. His manner is no.
teed b. Martin.
You will trcst met" he says, inquiringly.
Zach holds out his hand.
IT'S we'll" Martin Gays; "get in"
Not sooner than need 70, remarks Zach.
lis SO. o smell Ike ra.-hole, and | amt
dear about breathing in IT.
Martin shFugs his shoulders, and proceeds
to put things little straight, stopping every
neW and then to listen at the door, and con.
TeTslog Iiih Grit IN subdued voice. Their
Conversation is cut short by the sound of foot
Steps on TIE stairs; On hearing which, Martin
mak.s sign 20 Grit who enters his hiding
place.
Not wordln observes Martin, placing
bis fngar ca his lip again.
Quot as death !" answers Zach.
Martin mods his head in token of his salts
faction and confidence, and locks the closet
door, the KEY Of which he puts into his pocket
h,a7cely has lie done go, before he hes to ie.
"a -iihA fhhc-AEb huA StAtSllui. Lbs QOnc
i2 rctres into his little room.
Tie Two newcomers enter into conversation
II loS whisper, and exchange significant
giances, which have direct reference 20 the
presence Of Msrsin. They evidently under.
stand each other.
Have you the deeds and The bond here ?u
tsks Ayeling.
The attorney replies in the affirmative, and
'sEse them cut Of drawer in an iron safe
=. whoa he has the key. Ayeling inspeots
H'io, and appears satisfied.
And CT these ydu will give me q copy ~ he
oscIVef' " It is only by wey of precaution
yoG knew"
Inc attorney ncds his head, and calls Mar
TN
Martin" he says, "you will prepare a
e,i7 Of these documents. They will be want
ID E0s l2ter than tomorrow
10 morIow?" exc!ainas Martin.
A.. Tomorrow" repeats PelIgrini; awhss q
=: an 90 it' answers Martin. "There ISM
''u av besiies, want to 60 out to morrow"
% must find time" Tesorts Pelligrini.
ana II oan'tin asks Martin.
-, 1cu vii do as bid you,n is the brief re
ig and, here, take this note to the huis
NarEln takes the note with sullen air. H,
..es tha' be viii be obliged to 90 into remote
"'issOorhood, and perfectly comprehends why
am 70 go now?n he eaye.
At once" replies Gaetano.
rocn.
hats queer fellow of yours,n observe,
A'eIng to the attorney.
les,' responds the latter: & very eccen
.fc fellow. He is gambler. and plays avs,
ee.eFy tsrthing he can scrape together. To me
'VTever, he is invaluable. He is the most dis
ueet person in the world, for the simple rea
"a that he has no acouaintances. Still, it i
=, ~ IN eertain cases, not to trust any one to,
AT and in the business we have in hand, Mon
Ts ee .AVeilng, the fewer witnesses the better
las Is one OF the little disagreeables attendan
@iS1 such transactions as these"
Sr !" exclaims Aveling, with frown.
-. Haons" resumes the attorney; "you nee'
~ leel offended. IL is of no Csc our trying t
~ ia each other on the score of the honesty
AIdif. You, as o man of the world, Mon
Wv" @r A,Velng though you wish to accomplish
~ o-t oDlect, must know and must feel that
word ~ xoTid knew the part we are playing, W
Jug Dc hunted out OF decent society"
" Iardon, me Monsieur Pelligrini," resume
GT a;t, with the heavy frown still on his brow
~: ~ hos think we came TO- converse on the nae
,1a .'1 o. this or Of any other transaction. Sup
f'oe We proceed to business"
fl. Certainly" responds the attorney; IS
ela '. we are agreed, there shall be no false deli
tar ! oe'ween Us. | do not pretend to be bet
h. 'a1n nay neighbors, but | do not care tina
- should consider themselves better than
co. - sle business in hand, then. You are quit
Sgpuilned to carry off the young lady >"
nesolSed J" is the lsoonic response.
ana when :" asks Pelligrini.
AS soon as the brother il out of the way.
60 mat viii be in day or two. The da
eR tomorrow | shall arrange to have hii
rested for the amount Of this bond. AS
q. foreigner, the process viii be summar
=. ~ incareerated, he con be detained as Ion