Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-06-18

suspicious.
Point Pescade saw that some secret
thought was working in Zirone's brain,
but what was it Not being able to
guess he resolved to press Zirone moro
directly, and when he had asked;
What does the Doctor want in Sicily,
and at Catania more especially p
"Eh BY Saint Agatha, he is coming
to visit the town He is going to ascend
Mount Etna He is going to travel
like the rich traveller that lie is -
''Pescador," said Zirone, with n GER
tain amount of suspicion, You seem to
have known this man some time.
Not SO long us / would like to, if
had an opportunity"
"What do you mean? %
"Thst if Doctor Antekirtt, as is prob.
able, comes for walk in our ground
we might as well make hs Excellency
pay his footing.
Indeed :" said Zirone.
"And if that only comes to million
or two it will be good business.
lyon are right.
"And in that case Zirone and his two
friends would not have been fools.
Good" said Zirone, with smile
latter that compliment You can go to
sleep"
THAT will suit me, for know what
shall get dreaming about"
"What z"
1.-THE millions of Doctor Antekirtt-
dreams of gold!"
And then Pescador. having given his
cigarette its last puff, went off to rejoin
his companions in the barn of the inn,
while Carpena retired to his room.
And then he set to work to piece
together all that he had said and heard.
From the time that Zirone, to his great
astonishment, had spoken to him of
Doctor Antekirtt, had he done the best
for the interests that were Entrusted to
him Let us see.
In coming to Sicily, the Doctor hoped
to again meet with Sarcany, and per-
haps Toronthal in case he accompanied
him, which was not improbable, con-
sidering that they had left Ragusa
together Failing Sarcany, he reckoned
on capturing Zirone, and by bride or
threat making him reveal where Sarcany
and Toronthal could be found. That
was his plan, and this was how he
intended executing 1t.
In his youth the Doctor had several
times visited Sicily, particularly the dis
trict around K.na. He knew the differ
ent roads by which the ascent is made
the most used being that which passes by
house built at the commencement OF
the central cone, and which is known as
the Casa Inglese."
Zirones gang for which Carpena had
been recruiting at Malta, was then at
work on the Etna slopes, and it was
certain that the arrival of parsonage as
) famous as Doctor Antekirtt would pro-
duce the usual effect ut Catania. If the
Doctor were to put it about that lie was
going to make the ascent of Etna,
Zlrone would be sure to hear of it
especially with the help of Point Pes
cade. The scheme had begun well, for
Zirone himself had introduced the sub
ject of the Doctor to Pescade.
The trap which was TO be laid for
Zirone, and in which there was n good
chance of his being caught was the fol-
lowing
The night before the Doctor was to
make the ascent of the volcano, dozen
well-armed men from the Ferrato were
TO make their way secretly to the Casa
! Inglesi. In the morning. the Doctor,
accompanied 10y Luigi, Pierre, and a
guide, would leave Catania and follow
the usual road SO Us to reach the Casa
Inglesi about eight in the evening, and
then pass the night like all the tourists
do who wish to see the sun rise over the
mountains of Calabria.
Zirone, urged by Point Pescade,
would doubtless endeavor to capture
the Doctor, thinking he had only to do
with him and his two companions but
when he reached the Casa Inglesi he
would he received by the sailors of the
Ferrato, and resistance would be impos-
sible
Point Pescade, knowing this scheme,
had happily profited by the circum-
stances that presented themselves 20 put
this idea of capturing the Doctor into
Zirones head. 1t meant n heavy ran
som. and would also work in with the
message lie had received. If he was to
be careful of this man, would it not be
better for him to seize him even if he
lost the ransom? And Zirone decided
to do so and wait for further instructions
from Sarcany. But to be certain of
success, rs ne had not his whole gang
with him. he resolved to make the
attempt with Carpena's Maltese-much
20 the comfort of Pescade, rs the dGen
rufiians would be no match for the Fer
ratio men.
But Zirone trusted nothing TO chance.
AS Pescador had told him that the
steam yacht was to arrive in the morn
ing he left Santa Grotta early and
walked down TO Catania. Not being
known lie could go there without danger.
In few hours the steam yacht arrived
Mt her moorings, not near the quay
which is always crowded with ships bu,
Mt sort of entrance harbor between the
north jctty and a huge mass OF blackish
lava which the eruption OF 1869 sent
down into the sen.
Already at daybreak, Cape Matifou
md eleyan man of tbe Eerrato'a crau