Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-25
NIIIl HAL PEARL.
An Exciting story OF Modern Life
Continued from last week.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A visitor for the count,

CHAPTER XVIII.
A visitor for the count
The warm, sunshiny April day was sue
ceeded by a night so soft and balmy, that
the windows of the dining in White
hall Gardens were left open, and instead
of gas, with its heat and flare four wax
lights illuminated ithe table at which
Count and Countess Silvestrelli sat tctc-a-
tet>.
There was nothing in the manner OF the
husband to betray the fact that he was
engaged in plot to rob his fair young
wife of her good name. Indeed he was
moro than usually ailabe and affection
ate, for he nattered himself that driven
to bay between two such enormously I'M
equal alternatives, Caesterton was cor
tain to make the decision he wished.
This az feeable forecast had not yet
been clouded by any shadowy contrc-
tcmpts, for diplomatic business being
rather pressing Just then, it had been ar
ranged that Mr.. Brazenasse should com
municate the result of his interview to
his client that night at Prince Sastri's ho-
tel
Meanwhile, the Count attacked his din
pleasure gaining piquancy from the pres
ence of a pretty woman, who he knew
would have given her ears to be sitting
opposite any other man than himself
Nothing was further from his mind than
the image of the person who, nearly all
the time dinner was in progress stood
outside tlattening his nose against the
area ratings, and staring with haggsrd,
1GaI A. l,o t,,.n ta1 OF
the Widespread table.
He was a strange lounger to see in
Whitehall Gardens, and he started with
suspicious apprehension at every heavy
tread that might herald the approach of q
policeman.
When the decaHters were puton the ia
bic, and the lady retired. leaving the
| Count alone, he quilted his post of OBJ
servation, and stealing quietly into the
porticoed entrance, pulled the lower bell.
| The footman who answered the sum
mons was hall frightened at the singular
apparition before him.
Such ferocious, semi-savage, wholly
foreign-lookiug creature had never before
presented himself at the nobleman'
door.
"What do you want?' he asked, Will
the abruptness of surprise.
The man put his fierce face to the opel
doorway, and speaking in hoarse whis
per, said, "Tell your master Piero wants
to see him.
That's n nice sort of message for chal
ike you to send to a gentleman, object
ed the footman, who was an older and Sc
dater parsonage than the one who ha,
flouted the porter of st. Georges. You
have to state your business.
"Diaroio he knows my business full
WE'LL" was the fierce response. an.
name is enough"
The footman shook his head obviously
and rs visitor of this unknown calibr
could not be trusted inside the luxurious
lv-furnished hall, he shut the door, an
/, left him standing outside on the stef
: while he went to announce his presene
| to the butler who carried the iuteliigenc
4 to the Count.
The attdchc was in the act of raising
1 winegass to his lips, when the arrival {
Piero was made known to him.
: He set it down rather sharply, au
pushed the hand that held it out of slgi
in his trousers pocket but his habitu'
secresy and seif-restraint preserved hll
. from any further overt sign of discomp'
| sure.
e "Piero q he repeated, interrogativel,
e as if appealing to his memory. ooh,
recollect, 1t must be that rascal of
/ barber who got fined forty shillings ft
= being too oflicious with his hair-brush {
i an iusolent customer. And Ipaid h
fine because his wife had just presente
o him with Il triplct Of girls. More fool
c When a man does good action, the wor
' fancies he carries a pumpkin upon h
= shoulders. that they can take slice {
$ whenever they please. But, by San Nj
. colo I'll show them their mistake. s.
IL here, Barlow he said suddenly, n
i dressing tine butler, his previous remarl
Il having taken the form of soliloquy "tl
,, man is 4 begging impostor Bid the
e tell him to be gone at once, and threat'
Y him with the lookup, if he comes viii
Re ing here again
l. The butler had just delivered this me
sage to the footman, when Jose car
l. along, and inquired cursorily what W
le the matter
lie ooh. there's one of your countrym
+ outside" was the reply. He sent in /
D: name to the Count like lord, and So
he'd be sure to know his business. b
II the old gentleman declines the hone
L.. and we've got to send him packing. HI
70 an ugly customer to tackle.
1TT 81 will do the trick for You, if he's
<c fellow countryman," said Jose, readi
III What the message p
be The footman repeatedit.
We "I'll settle his business quick,
Id sponded Jose, going towards the door.
be The Wallets apparent bravery was,
vl fact, overwcenmg curiosity. For Il
nd long weeks be had been bursting to KIN
no what took his master II dngy fo'
no wheeler to Soho. and who was the co
TO punion of his ride-which two facts
u, had ascertaincd from the cabman. L
Nv strange visitor might be able to tell h
ms something more.
~ He was nevertheless a little startled
od the huggard, wolfish face that pecred i
or his directly lie opened the door.
nd You're not the one | spoke to befor
ng said the footpad, suspiciously.
Dol "GHofc ~ whispered Jose, making |
ed. aware of the fact of their mutual natl
sly ality in one word. The sight of a
of low countryman is as welcome to me
cnt cheese on macaroni Pity my maste
W. not of my mind,
l. docs he refuse to see me 2 interru
ou' ed Picro, with strain of menace in
n't voice
, We, "Not only SO, tratc, but he threat
",;y to give You into custody if you pay
visit again.
Then bad Easter to him, and
year, and may he die by the sword !" IL
tered Piero, his savage tones giving
familiar expression Of Florentine spl
the awfulness of curse.
ok Jose shrugged his shoulders, and l
.,,,- bed his hands.
- 81 owe him no love. He is n ma
I" who thinks all service is well paid fo
bet v.,;ta ,,,,ot+,.;,o Ifo,Ib;no, Rut i