Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-28
THE WOMAN IN RED.
A Thrilling Italian Story of the
Last Century.
~ GORGE w. VI. REYoLxDs.
CHAPTER NNII.

THE ATTACK AND 1HE RETREAT
Count Donat. wa, more horror
struck when he satisfied himself actl
/ ally that Rodolpho was not IN bed
thar lie could possibly nave been ma,
the poniard entered the heart of hi
guest. He was quickly and thorouoh
" alarmed at the hollow sound wheel
echoed through the room as he sprapc
back and saw that he had struck 50
furious a blow at vacancy.
The thick drops of pcrSpiration thai
now stood upon his forehead showed
how terribly excited he was. and how
difficult j; was fur him To return agair
10 his former practice OF or me. But
he partially recovered h.s eGuilib.
rum in few moments. and the first
thought that suggested itself TO him
wa: Where is Bernardo
lie turned the subject over hastily in
his mind, and then asked himself. Has
he He'd? what can have been hi, OBJ
lect III this rnsc! was he aiarmcda Will
he return? il he does, wha, is 10 be.
come OF me? But. while he asked IA IN
self these questions. he suddenly over
heard the low sound Of voices beneath
the window. and moment afterward
he distinguished the figure OF Rodol
pho. - he was about to ascend the
ladder TO return TO hi, own room.
All uncOnSciou, of evil design. and
utterly unprcpared for an assault or
defense, from the circumstances of the
case. at this moment, Rodolpho as.
cended the ladder a. nimbly a, a cat.
and gained the sill of the broad bay
window of his room. The ladder.
which had been made for the purpose.
was instantly withdrawn from below
and the faithful Pierre only waited an
instant 10 hear ANS well from his
master voice 10 dccamp with his or.
ders for his band retreat. Instead of
this. however, his alarm and conster-
nation may well be conceived when
his ears were suddenly Saluted with
a sharp cry from Rodolpho. followed
quickly by the exclamation: Il am
stabbed ierrel-quickr"
~hrlll and peculiar whistle instant
~ followed this sentence, and in an
other moment the ladder fell against
the wall. and Pierre was at the top of
II, and through the open window.
lie found his master PROSTATE upon
the chamber-lloor Rodolpho cmtchcd
his as,ailant ,toutly by the throat
while. with his other hand. he crashed
the wrist of his antagonist. whose
murderous hand still held the CLEAN
ING poinard, which. for aught he knew.
had dealt him a fatal blow.
To dash the dirk from the cnemy's
clutch with his foot. while with his
stoutly-Clinched hand he sent Count
Donati reeling across the apartment
was the work of an instant: for Pierre
was Lold and brave fellow. and he
did not fear TO assume responsibility
when the occasion seemed To call for
il. Rodolpho sprang to his feet. and
his band by this time surrounded the
house.
"Antoinel' shouted Pierre from the
window.
Yes, yes was the response.
Quick. for your life! this way!
Antoine mounted the ladder. fol
lowed by three or four Of the foremost
clan. and mean time Rodolpho had Sc
cured the Count for the present
But the inmates of the house had
now been thoroughly aroused. and the I
was momentarily increasing. I
The remainder of the robbers had
themselves around the out
side of the mansion, and the cries of
Count Donati had brought all his Soy
wants and slaves to the rescue.
what, no. shouted the former
companion of Rodolpho when the rob
bers entered. Within, therel Help,
Pinta! Cope! Slaves, minions, hel D!
help and the sturdy dependents of
the Count soon Numbered al ne
though they we're dos
perately alarmed.
While Count Claudio hesitated a mo-