, 1882-08-11

any, as was natural he should. He
poured out more wine and drank, and
then seemed to reflect. In this mood
he held the small paper, which he had
Just received, in such Il way that he
could peruse it without being suspected.
This paper contained these words:
"Feign illness, and be shown to pri-
vate apartment. l will be there to COM
plete the design"
In few minutes the Duke, who had
been furtively watching the Count, re
marked with seeming concern that he
feared his Lortlship was ill.
The Count certainly did appear rather
faint, but affected to believe it only
temporary ailment, which would speedi-
ly pass away. The mobiles exchanged
gmccs, and each breathed freer as he
had discovered the victim in other than
himself.
But the Count, instead of getting
better, seemed to grow more faint, and
his kind host suggested that he should
be shown to private apartment and his
chief physician he summoned.
II will accept tine kind offer of your
Grace, with many thanks " said the
Count, in low, faint tone.
81 will do myself the honor to attend
your Lordship!" was the courteous re-
ply. my Lords and gentlemen, pray
excuse brief absence will shortly
reioin you."
He offered his arm to the Count, who
leaned heavily on it, and thus they left
the ball. Passing through the ante
room, they entered one hung with dam
ask, and richly furnished. The Red
Mask, who had left the banqueting hall
before them, was standing there, as if
awaiting their coming. AS the duke
assisted his guest TO divan, the Red
Mask quietly closed anu bolted the door.
Then producing n small rope, with the
slp-knot of hangman, he glided up to
the Duke, rs he bcnded over the Count
snd throwing the moose around his neck
Grew it tight, and strangled him before
he could comprehend his murderous de-
sign and raise his voice for help. When
the Duke was quite dead, the mask was
removed and the face of Antonio APP
peared before the Count.
"Quick, my Lord !" said Antonio,
pale and trembling Mt what he had done;
"diSrobc, put on the dress of the Duke.
return to- the hall, and he lord OF tho
palace. II you succeed in deceiving the
assembled guests l trust your
close resemblance will enable you to do
we arc safe ; il you fail, we are lost
Leave the Dukes body to me. can put
it forever beyond human sight, where it's
bones will keep company with those Of
more than one of his victims"
Assisted by Antonio, the Count of Pal
mera was soon dressed in the gorgeous
robes of the Duke of Francayela, and
the counterfeit was SO perfect that none
but wife could have detected the diff
ference.
Remember your Grace is now Duke
Of Frnncavella, and say your guest is
much better and will be well by the NOR.
row |" were the instructions of Antonio.
The plan of the iniquitous schemer
succeeded perfectly, and all the guests
that night retired in the belief that the
false Duke was the real.
The next day the Count OF Palmera
appeared in st. Marks place aud other
parts OF Venice in his own proper per-
son. THIS destroyed the suspicion that
lie llhl heeh poisoned, IA all ht the ban.
qu.t believed; and those who had the
night lrfnre taken leave Of him as the
puk" Of Francavclla now congratulated
him on his recovery as the Cunt of
Palmera.
In fact, this proved to be one of the
most successful and remarkable impost-
ures ever known; and it was only
through the dying confessions OF the
Count himself that the truth came out
at all, which many would not believe
even then. Long before this event,
however, the Red Death Mask had
ceased to appear, because of the real
death Of Antonio, whom his new master
had murdered in turn, for fear of being
himself murdered or betrayed by the
only one who possessed his fatal secret.
So crime always leads on to crime.