The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-12-09

1 dare not harm me, for should not escape
| from this hall tonight, there is one who
will make it known to the ten. Then fear s
! tremble, for you know its power. 1t is we'll
cannot see your faces, or l might act differ
emily. 1 will make this propositions: If yoI
let me go free from this hall, tonight,
will keep the existence of this league a Sc
cret, and my friends will do the same; but
| if die here, ye die also. Decide, for "
judge your own lives, have spoken.
There was q long consultation, at the enc
of which the chief said: "We have decid
ed: You go free"
'sNow, remember. all of you, when yol
| see an aged man in the streets, recognize
him not" said Pedro di Alberto.
''We will remember" answered the
| twelve voices.
The spy was conducted from the room
put into gondols. and landed near the
place from whence he had been taken.
When the iron door closed, the CHIEF
arose and said:
League of twelve, that man must die y
'tHe mustl 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 situated IN the
suburbs of the city, near the Pirates rest.
Voorn will do the Job well, for he works
for pay. Will the duke heed my sugges-
tion2S
81 will" responded the duke of Milan.
The chief then arose and sald;-
sit is time to close our meeting The
duke viii report at the next conclAye. Men,
arise u ..,
They arose, renewed their oath to exter-
inmate the council of ten, and then seps-
rated.
In the outskirts of Venice was small
stone house. 1t contained one room, with
only one small window to give light to its
| occupant. It was the house of Voorn, the
bravo. He lived alone, and no one visited
him, except those who wanted lark deed
done. VOorn worked for money, and when
well paid, his stiletto never failed. .-
On the night when we introduce him TO
the reader, he was seated in his room. The
furniture was of the scantiest kind, consist
ing of low table, a stool, and pallet of
straw. A candle stuck in the mouth of q
bottle was burning upon the stool. He ap-
peared to be expecting visitor, for he wo'd
often go to the window and peer out.
'Iwonder why Pedro does, not come back?'
he muttered. 'EHist there's some person
coming this, p way he exclaimed, as he heard
footsteps approaching.
1t came nearer, and there was rap at
| the door. Voorn opened it. and the duke
of Milan entered the room.
'sGood evening, Voorn returned the sal
Utation gruffey, for he knew that the crafty
man would try to f1atter him with soft words.
The bravo handed him his stool, while he
seated himself upon the table. There was
momentary silence, when the duke said /:
'Voorn, l come on business.
''Glad to hear it, for my stilleto is begin
ming to rust,' replied the bravo with grin.
,,Then it shall rust no longer, said the
duke. ''But see if there are any listners. y
81 will do so''; and Yoorn arose and went
out. He saw a form crouohed below his
window; and he approached and asked :
''Is that you Pedro2"
at is" said the spy, in low voice.
Remove that stone and listen, for have
An important visitor Tonight
He returned and reported that he had
found no listeners.
''In the first place, y began the duke, 81
will ask if you make any distinction between
youth and old age in your business 2"
81 do not'' replied Voorn.
''Haye you noticed an old man with a
long, white beard, walking the streets of
VenIce9" asked the duke.
81 hava- What of himl" said the bravo.
"Well, want him removed" !"
'Ah, see. You want him silenced ar
ever" said the bravo, in a business-like
manner.
Exactly Can you do it2" asked the
crafty man.
81 can but must have pay, replied
Noorn. .-. "
''Of course how muchl"
''Twenty talents y
''YOu shall have it,"
The duke arose and poured the gold forth
upon the table. The bravo looked at every
piece, and said. SIT is right. l will finish
him this week"
''That will do but bring me his iron rim Q
as proof that the deed is done, " said the
duke; and in a moment he was gone.
The bravo re-counted the gold, and then
placed it in drawer in the table.
The duke had not been gone long when Pedro
di Alberto entered the same room, He
looked like an old man, but he soon threw
OF his disguise, and stood revealed. He
was noble-looking person, In the prime OF
life, through there were marks of sorrow in
his face. ..... -... .....
"A good nights work my friend Voorn, ,
said the spy
'Indeed it is and for the money, 1 must
kill an old. gray-hsired man - and the two
men laughed. ....-
'Henceforth that old man will not be
seen IN Venice, said Pedro.
"Give me the ring. Pedro, said Vooln.
Pedro took the iron ring from his finger
and handed it to him. ------.
81 guess the duke does not know that l
also am spy of the ten 2"
''Of course not replied Pedro. 'sNoW
is my time for revenge. You know what
made me bravo, Voorn But for that
duke might now have been happy hus-
band and a loving father. swear that he
shall stand before the tent" and he brought
hls clenched hand down upon the table.
Yes, and the league of twelve, too -
responded Voorn.
and be judged, " said Pedro, loudly, as he
thought of his past wrongs. I'll
They divided the twenty talents, and
Pedro went to his abode. .. ...
AT the next meeting of the twelve, the
duke of Milan reported that Pedro di
Alberto was dead, and, to prove his words,
he showed the iron ring. The members of
the league were satisfied but in their last
dying hours, they found they had been
deceived. 80.
Two weeks later, as the duke of Milan
was walking in the street, he was surprised
to have letter handed to him. He went
home and opened it. The words were full
OF meaning. and his cheeks grew pale as
he read them. The letter ran thus: nv
Charles, duke of Milan-You are oom-
manded to stand before the ten refuse, and
you die. Tonight is the tirne.''
There was no signature to it; but the
duke knew there was no use for one its
words were enough, and he swaited with
fear the approach Of night. It came, and
two men, wearing masks, appeared to con-
Yey him to ths Council of len. He allow
ed himself to be blindfolded, and ne soon
stood in the judgment chamber.
1t was large hall, and tho duke slIud- |
dered as he looked around and saw the !
huge instrument of torture. The black
cried out +4-Har 80