Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-20

me DER, SuI Cuici uoo spohch hiikht
that man must die; but ere he dies, let
us bring him here aud wiring his secret
from him"
A vote was taken, and the result was
that the aged man should be brought be-
fore the League at their next meeting.
After some other business the meeting
closed, and the hall was soon deserted.
The six gondolas were rowed to their ac-
customed places and Abandoned
The next week passed, and the League
was preparing for another meeting. The
aged man was often seen in the streets.
he did not know of the fate in store for
him, although he often passed aud re-
passed the chief of the Twelve. One
dark night, as he was going to his home,
be was roughly seized by two men, who
blindfolded him, placed him in gondola
and rowed out on the water. :.
"Speak not, or death is your portion, !"
was the stern command; and he kept
silent
After they had gone some distance, he
was lifted from the boat and placed in an
underground passage; he knew that he
was in the earth by the smell of the
mold. The two men conducted him on
until be knew that he was in brilliantly
lighted apartment
"Remove the bandage." cried voice.
1t was done; and the aged man stood
before his judges. :.
Reader, you would have pitied that old
man had you seen him there, his form
bent with age; but there was no pity in
the heart of his accusers The silence
was beginning to be oppressive, when
the prisoner asked, in hoarse tones,
where am l 2"
"Where dead men tell no tales, was
the stern reply.
by whose orders?" again asked the
prisoner.
by the orders of the Twelve" an.
swered the chief.
"Ha, ha l thought so !" and the aged
man laughed hollow laugh.
Why do you laugh when you stand
in the presence of death ?" demanded the
chief.
Because l dare you to harm me, i"
was the answer.
MAN or DEVIL which are you y cried
the chief, rising from his seat.
Behold" cried the prisoner, pulling
the white beard from his face and draw
ing his form to its full hight, " behold
Pedro di Alberto, the dreaded spy Of the
Ten
Eleven of the men arose from their
seats, and prepared to rush on the priso-
ner, but the chief motioned them back,
and cried out: Back, men, and hear
what he has to say"
They again seated themselves, and
their ehief said. "What hast. thou to say
for tbyself?" 80
Il have nothing to say in my defense,
except that was carried here against
my will. By subtle means, l found that
this order existed, and warned men to
beware of it. You dare not harm me,
for should not escape from this hall to-
night, there is one who will make it
known to the Ten. Then fear and trem-
Bile, for you know its power. 1t is we'll
cannot see your faces, or might act
differently. / will make this proposition
If you let me 60 free from this hall to-
night, will keep the existence of this
League secret, and my friends will do
the same; but if / die here, ye also die.
Decide, for ye judge your own lives. l
have spoken"
There was q long consultation, at the
end of which the chief said, We have
decided; you 90 free"
Nov, remember, all of you; when
you see an aged man in the streets, recog-
nize him not" said Pedro di Alberto.
1--WE will remember" answered the
twelve voices
The spy was conducted from the room,
put into a goudols, and landed a. the
place whence be had been taken.
When the iron door closed, the chief
arose and said:
"League of Twelve, that man must
dier'
HE must he must" exclaimed the
others
"The work must be sure" resumed
the chief.
"a bravo can be hired to do it. | give
the work into the hands of our worthy
brother, the Duke of Milan,
A member whose chair was on the low
est platform arose and said
"League of Twelve, / will give the
Duke some instructions. Let him go to
the house Of Voorn, the bravo. 1t is sit
uated in the suburbs of the city, near
the Pirates rest Voorn will the
Job well, for be works for pay. Will the
Duke heed my suggestiousT
"I will, responded the Duke Of Milan.
The chief then arose and said:
at is time TO close our meeting. The
Duke will report u the next conclave.
Men, arise ....--
They arose and renewed their oath to
exterminate the Council Of Ten, and
then separated.
In the outskirts Of Venice was q small
stone house. 1t contained one room,
with only one small window to give light
to its occupant. II was the home Of
Voorn, the bravo. BE lived alone, and
no one visited hin, except those who
wanted dark deed done. Voorn worked
for money. aud when well paid, bis sti-
letto never failed.
On the night when we introduced him
10 our reader be was seated in his room
The furniture vas Of the scAntest
kind, con9sing Of loV table, a stool
aad q pallet Of straw. A candle stuck
in the mouth Of q bottle was burning