Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-02-26


THE ONLY FRIEND OUR FAMILY HAS.
say that the active clown was not tempted
to demonstrate at the clumsy juggler, or
that the powerful wrestler did not burn
to take part in the struggle between
the athletes, is TO say what is contrary to
the truth. But both remembered that
they had the honor of belonging to the
crew of the Savarena They remained
rs simple spectators, and did not spare
the braves when they thought them
deserved.
The next day the Doctor went ashore
n little after noon. After he had sent
the boat back he started along the road
from Gravosa to Ragusa-a fine avenue
mile and quarter long, bordered
with villas and shaded with trees. The
avenue was not rs lively as it would be a
/ few hours later, when it would be
crowded with carriages and loungers on
horse and foot.
The Doctor, thinking all the time Of
his interview with Madame Bathory,
! followed one Of the side streets and soon
reached the Borgo Pile kind of stone
arm which stretches along the triple line
of the Notifications of Ragusa. The
gate was open, and through the three
walls gave access 10 the interior OF the
city.
A splendid paved road is the Stradone,
extending from the Borgo Pile to the
suburb of Plocce, after passing straight
through the town. 1t runs along the
foot OF u hill on which rises quite m
amphitheatre of houses. At one end is
the palace of the doges, fine monu-
ment of fifteenth century age, with an
interior courtyard, Renaissance portico
and semicircular windows whose slender
columns are worthy of the best period of
Tuscan architecture
The Doctor had not to go us far as
this The Rue MGrnella that Borlk
had mentioned the day before turns of
to the left about the middle of the Sira-
done IL his pace slnckened at all 1t
was when lie threw rapid glance at
mansion built of granite, whose rich
facade and square out-buildings were to
the right of him. Through the open gate
of the courtyard he could see the masters
carriage with superb horses, with the
coachman Oh the box, while a man-servant
was waiting on the flight Of steps under
the elegant veranda.
Immediately afterwards a man got into
the carriage, the horses came out of the
courtyard, and the gate closed behind
them. This was the individual who
three days before had accosted Doc or
Antekirtt on the quay at Gravosa he
was the old banker Of Trieste, Silas
Toronthal
The Doctor, DESTROYS OF avoiding
meeting, turned quickly back, and did
not resume his Journey until the carriage
had disappeared at the end of the
Stradone.
Both in the same town r. he muir
INJURED. This is chance it is not my
fault
Narrow. steep, badly paved, and OF
poor appearance are the roads which
open on TO the left of the Stradone.
Imagine a large river with the tributaries
on one of its sides all mountain torrents!
To secure a little air the houses cluster
on the hillside one above the other and
touch one another. Their eyes look
into their eyes, if it is allowable, so to
speak. of the windows or dormers that
open along their fronts. Thus they
mount one over another to the crest OF
one of the two hills whose SUBMITS are
crowned by Forts Mincetro and San
Lorenzo.
No vehicle could travel there. If the
torrent was absent except on days of
heavy rain, the road was none the less a
ravine, and its slopes and inequalities
we're rendered passable merely by steps
and landing-places There was a great
contrast between the modest dwellings
and the splendid mansions of the
Stradone.
The Doctor reached the corner Of the
Rue Mminella and began TO mount the
interminable staircase which did duty
for it. He had gone about sixty yards
when he stopped in front Of No II.
There was IA door opened Immediately
Old Borik was waiting for the Doctor.
He introduced him without saying q
, word into room cleanly kept. but
poorly furnished
The Doctor sat down. There was
nothing to show that he felt the least
emotion at finding himself in this house
not even when Madame Bathory
entered and said
Doctor Antekirtt1"
Yes, said the Doctor.
II should have liked to have saved
you the trouble Of coming so far and so
high, said Madame Bathory.
II came to call on YOU, Madame and
i hope You will think am quite at your
service.
Sir" replied Nine. Bathory. lit
was only yesterday that heard Of your
arrival at Gravosa, and l Immediately
sent Borik TO request an interview with
you.
Madame, l am ready TO hear what
you have TO say.
! II will retire, said the old man.
mo, you can stay, Borik !" answered
Mime. Bathory. " You are the only
friend our family has. and you had
better know all am going TO say 10
Doctor Antekirtt"