Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-25
CHAPTER NIX.


The Bi'cr Bit.
Piero went direct to piccadilly, and sta
toned himself at the entrance to news
opposite Seshaya Sastri's hotel. He meant
to make another effort to gain the Counts
ear as he alighted from his carriage, and
if he refused to lsten-well, PierO knew
what he would do then.
A master intriguer should always keep
his machinery well oiled. SiIvestrelll's
one weakness was holding his purse
strings too tight. When the assault on
Chesterton failed Of its purpose, and the
expected transfer Of five thousand pounds
from Sastris pocket to his was indefinite
ly put off, tho Count declined to give
Piero the sum promised him had the plot
been successful.
He was allowed to retain the watch and
other trinkcts, on condition that he did
not attempt to dispose Of them for SIX
months, and few sovereigns were added
for his immediate necessities. Bat they
were soon spent recklesslv, as such peo-
plo always spend money, and then the
Count was applied to by letter for more.
He took no notice of the letter, fancy
ing his hold over the ruffian too secure
| for him to venture to disobey hin and
at last Piero, in fit of desperation and
defiance, sent his wife to pawn the watch.
The result OF that venture has been
already related. Brigida was in prison,
and it was to claim the Counts interest
for her release, as well rs to demand mon
ey, that the starving and desperate wretch
had ventured on n step never attempted
beforc-a personal application Mt his en-
ployers house.
When not III funds by some deed OF
violence, the Italian picked up prccari-
GUS livelihood by sweeping crossings aud
holding horses for gentlemen and grooms ;
and as he stood in the dark entry waiting
for the Count, he kept a lookout for any
bibulouslv- disposed coachman who might
wish to refresh his inner man whilst wait
ing his master or mstrcss's pleasure, and
to whom the services of stout fellow to
stand at his horses head for q few min
utes would be well worth copper
though the penny was Of less immediate
importance to Piero than pretext for
lingering about the precincts OF the hotel
which had It's perils if the police spieo
him.
| AT an opportuic moment the Job ht
+ sought presented itself.
He had hardly got we'll into position OF
the off-sidc of two roam horses, whose
rightful custodian had run of to visit (
modest tap in an adjacent by-street, whel
n person came along the pavement WHO
claimed his attention ut once 1t was Mr.
Brazenassc. whose usually porcine ex
preston Of face was 80 accumulated by
mental uncasiness, that he looked more
like a hog with the collie than any othe
earthly thing.
.DiaroIo :" muttcred Piero, who knew
Mr.. Brazenasse of old. that scrupulou
, gentleman having conducted his cas-
when an earlier adventure in the Count
! service had brought him to the verge o
: serious trouble. "What fresh stew i
simmerinp for the Evil One? | shoul
=, know that fellow for one of his cooks"
He watched tho attorney 90 up the en-
. trance stems to the hotel, and ask oues
" ton of the hall.porter, to which, fror
the motion of the mans head. he inferre
the answer was NEGATIVE and the ide
was confirmed when Mr.. Brazenasse cam
down again. and after looking up an
~ down the street. bounced slowly in the d
a rection of Piccadillv.
- He had only inst got beyond the circl
. of inht shed by the hotel lamps, whe
Piero recognized Nybrea standing in Ii
. rilliantlv.jlluminaied entrance. eviden
s llv Questioning the hall-porter in his turn
~ aud as the porter ierkei his thumb in IL
direction OF the attorneys retreating fiji
). ma i al rot rcnnira much skill to d
~ vine tbot lie had been the subject of Il
~ sintnrrnrotion.
=, Mvbreo disoppeared rs quickly as /
had Como and Piero WAS inst mutteri1
- a curse on him ms "a son Of the Old Sc
IN no U%'" " Whom an"thcr carriage rolled in
u | 800