Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-03-22

aud found him opening large packet, whicl
he said had just arrived by post.
"Here, "he said, "are, no doubt, tn,
Counts papers returned let us see what m,
friends dispatch contains"
"Colonel y" replied, ~ grieve 10 say that
more urgent matter now requires your instan
attention"
then briefly and rapidly told him what ha,
taken place, and shall never forget the look o
blank dismay and despair which oyerspread hi
countenance; he groaned aloud, and covering
his face with his hands, exclaimed
81 have been much to blame Mervyn, IN thi
business; my affection for Norah, and my de
sire 10 crafty her wish, has blinded ME to tn,
risk was mourning In permitting thcadvances
of total stranger; but this is no time for vain
regrets, but for action; what Is To be done"
"The Count, SIR" said ''must be pursued
without moments delay. | believe ] know
his destination
then opened the envelope left by Dennis
which contained only one word "Naypils, and
explained to Colonel Dc. Burgho that, having
latterly felt uneasy, had secured the aid OF
Dennis in case Of need.
"You have secured most valuable and faith.
full ally" he replied. know the mans family
well; they were tenants ON the estate ] was
obliged to sell, for hundreds OF years, and
have the utmost reliance on the fidelity OF your
friend. Providence surely placed him in your
way. You have shown great forethought and
Judgment in what you have done, and ! thank
You from the bottom OF my heart"
could not then tell Colonel De Burgho how
| deep and intense feeling had urged me tu
watchfulness, and simply said, -
| Il have endeavoured TO do my duty, sir; the
safety of any member of your family must be q
matter OF much concern 10 me-"
| "Thank you, Mervyn," he replied; 'you
have testified by your conduct and activity the
warmth of your friendship; but let us examine
the dispatch before we determine upon any
course; perhaps IL may throw some light upon
| this painful subject"
AS saw that the Colonel, although bearing
up against this terrible blow with the manly
fortitude of a soldier, was suffering intense an
guish, / volunteered 10 read the Dispatch an
offer for which he thanked me heartily The
packet contained the Counts title deeds, and "A
long letter, which was as follows:
| LIvoRNo, August, lS6--.
| "DEAR FRIEND
| ''On receipt of your letter and enclosure
went at once TO Genoa, and retained the ser
vices of the principal notary there. ] am sorry
to say that fear what have 10 communicate
| Will cause you much anxiety.
"Your friend, Count Albano, Is a Count
that is to say, he some two years ago purchased
| at Rome patent of nobility, which YOU are
aware is, in this country, granted without
! much, or any, scrutiny into the antecedents of
| the applicant. He Is the son of a former in
tendant of the Duke of Medina Sidona, and
was brought up and educated with the Dukes
/
| manner and accomplishments of which you
| speak. Some eight years ago, when about sew
| enteen, the Dukes interest procured for him a
commission In the Italian navy, in which he
| served for three years, and was then cashiered
| for completely In duel, Ia which was attached
suspicion of foul play. His father diving about
this time, he became possessed Of consider
| able sum OF money, with part of which he pur-
| chased the yacht you mention, and equipped
her at large expense. She is considered, and
| indeed has proved herself to be the fastest
sailer I'm these seas: she carries small gun at
the bow ; and is also, find, fitted for carving
a long stern chaser, which, however, Is never
| mounted when the yacht Is on this coast, but Is
| supposed TO be shipped aud unshipped else
| where. RumOr says that the Count has some
| other place Of abode in the Grecsn Islands,
| besides his castle at Porto Elmo, which. by the
way, Ia not his property, as alleged, but is
| merely rented for Il trihing sum, the place hay
ing a bad reputation as the resort Of handitti
and smugglers.
THE notary has examined the papers you
| sent, and which are returned; he states that
| they are all properly ard officially drawn up,
attested, and registered but, on enquiry, We
| find that the estates named in them have no
4 existence except ON paper; there are no such
| places as those mentioned, except Porto Elmo,
nd the deeds are entirely fictitious.
| with this money and accomplishments II
was not difficult for the Count TO get into soci
ETY. in this country, and the possession of a
crack yacht assisted him In this but Of late he
had become suspected Of piracy on the high
| seas No absolute proof could be obtained
| but the numbers OF his crew, their character,
| and the equipment of the yacht attracted the
| attention Of the naval department Some
| months ago the topmast OF a sunkcn vessel
was observed in the bay of TalOna divers
| were employed, and they reported that
the vessel had evidently been scuttled
| every article of value In the cabins
L haN nyn1s al hat HOT A.
| To relate, the bodies of the captain and crew,
| six in number, were found manaeled in the
hold, leading to the conclusion that they had
been deliberately sunk with the vessel. A
strict watch watch was kept upon the "Gul-
| mare" but her sailing qualities enabled her to
distance all companions, and no evidence of
her piratical pursuit could be procured. About
Il month ago she disappeared from this coast,
and was not heard of until ! received your let
| ter.
81 am sorry TO have to make such an alarm
| ing report report regarding your friend; and
| in addition, must mention that about two
years ago, while his yacht was lying in the Gull
of Salerno, young lady TO whom he had been
| paying attentions suddenly disappeared, and
/ has never been heard of since; so that YOU will
do well to watch closely the proceedings OF
this adventurer, II not pirate while in your
vicinity. for there can be no doubt that he car
| RED off the young lady in question.
| 81 need not say that il can be- Of any further
use in this matter, do not scruple to call upon
me, rs nothing In this world will give me great
er pleasure than TO be Of service to So old and
| valued friend"
| There Is no doubt, Meryyn," said Colonel
De Burgho, that have been outwitted by u
most consummate scoundrel, and have not q
moment to lose in pursuing him, and rescuing
Norah Fast as Is his yacht, steam and rail are
equally so; and If we can only ascertain where
he has carried her to, have strong hopes OF
| success; but must leave at once-l will 60
and communicate 10 Kathleen what you have
told me. ] fear she will be deeply grieved, for
more attached sisters could not exist. As
must travel with such speed, j cannot think OF
being encountered by taking her with me, and
i shall leave her in Mary's care during my alb
sence, and leave everything here In your
charge" Colonel" said /, sit Is my duty to
obey your instructions, but have the strong
est rcpugnance TO allowing you 10 start upon
this dangerous mission alone-for dangerous
fear 1t will prove. 1t would, In my opinion, be
| impossible for any one man to accomplish, un
assisted, the rescue OF your daughter, and
shall feel deeply grieved if you refuse me tn,
privilege of accompanying you; indeed, Il
speak the truth, / fear that any injunction laid
upon me to remain here wonld soon be disre
garded, as ! should feel miserable, and T,
coward, IN staying behind when | felt, as
should daily and nightly feel, that you were
incurring danger alone; You will excuse me
Colonel,n | continued, "but II you do moi
grant me the favor Of going with you, | will
on the spot resign my position as your agent
and shall then be free to volunteer my assist
ance.p
"You have already, Meryyn, acted 5,
judiciously," said the Colonel, that canno
refuse what you ask; and / feel, indeed, tha
the assistance of younger man than myself 4
a necessity In this case; therefore We may con
slider the matter settled.
Kathleen's grief was, as her father expected
pitiabe TO witness; she pleaded earnestly 3,
be allowed to accompany us, but the Colonel