The record-union., 1891-08-15
26itacrttn,tenl1s.

and as an eatree sleeps windpipe was
served. Not one of the captives would
be introduced to this tempting dish, and
so the dinner was not Il success.
''Mr. Faulkner" said the Countess Sc
riously, when she saw that there was
nothing to follow the windpipe, ''let us
talk this matter over. He wants 100000
for the three of us. It's ridiculous, and
we can make them happy with good
deal less, / don't doubt. What ] want to
know is, will you be content to act as
hostage? There's no other way out of it
that l can see."
Il will do anything to oblige your la
dyship," said Mr.. Faulkner, with i'll
concealed veXation.
You must allow me to take this on
my shoulders. The escapade is mino,
and | must pay for it. It's not Il bit OF
good trying to convince them that you are
not my husband, and there's an end oft.
Dear me, it would be diverting TO have
Squirm here, really!'
'Capo," called Mr.. Faulkner.
The brigaud leader was as anxious to
get so precious lady as the Countess Off
his hands as she was to leave him.
Finally, it was agreed that Mr.. Faulkner
should stay on Mount Spraragio until
920,0O had been paid to the rogues. The
Countess promised to use all possible eX-
pedition. At Rome she proposed to make
arrangements for the procural of the
money, and thence it would be dispatched
without delay.
This settled, two of the rascals constf-
tuted themselves guides to her ladyship
and the gentle Marie. They led them to
Castellamare by short bridlc-path,
which enabled them to reach Palermo
the same evening. Thence, the next day
they proceeded to Naples, and from Ma
pies they soon reached Rome.
Here, TO the Countess utter consterna-
ton, it was discovered that the pocket
book containing the address to which the
bandit wished their money to be con-
veyed was missing.
Her ladyship wrote at once TO the Brit
ish Consul in Palermo, implOring him TO
make inquiries. But these Inquiries were
OF no avail. The local Qead0rmerie had
already had news of the abduction, and
they We're in possession of Mount Spara-
gio and the district. So hot was their
siege, in fact, that the Capo and the troop,
with Mr.. Faulkner III their charge, alb
seconded towards the mountains OF the
interior. OF course, however, they left
shrewd deputy behind them to receive the
t20, COO
For month the rascals put up with
the discOmforts this hue and cry had
brought upon them. They reckoned
they would eventually have their reward.
With the ransom they would retire for
ever from brigandage and become decent
landowners.
But when five weeks had passed and
not even a line reached them about the
money, they became exceedingly inn
patient. They had already been some
what uncivil to the Duke" as they called
Mr.. Faulkner. This gentleman had tried
all ways to get into their good graces, but
i'll vain. They were not Malta SicilianS,
and would not believe in his insinuations
that he was a member of that order.
| When he told them point-blank that he
himself had been scheming for the capture
OF the Countess of Squirm, in alliance
with these same Malta men, they grew
furious. They would not, they said, toll
crate being thus jested with by his Excel
| iency much longer.
'If," said the Capo, 'your Dukeship is
not ransomed by Thursday next, we
shall deprive your Excellency Of his ears.
They Will be sent to this address OF
'Madama,' with which she was so good
as to furnish u.s.
1t was vain for Mr. Faulkner to protest.
Thursday arrived. AT sunset our poor
| friend was cropped; and the same even
ing the appendages were packed and sent
prepaid to England. This was the only
clue to him that remained when three
months had passed.
LIZ NOuIIcSS VI C9uIIiu dIlu HST IIldlu
returned to England in Whitsun Week,
| and among her ladyship's letters was a
small parcel containing two withered ears
and a line of scrawl which said that, un-
! less the 100000 was sent in a month, his
Excellency the Duke would have his
throat cut. The money was not sent, for
| the reason already mentioned. There is
no doubt, therefore, that Mr.. Faulkner
! died a violent death.
The Countess was naturally much dis
| tressed to think that she should be the
cause, though the innocent cause, of a fell
! loW-creature's assassination, but, being
a devout Catholic, she had recourse to her
| contessor, who at length consoled her.
| Marie, the maid, was somewhat more
! persistent in her grief. She had not out
grown her heart. But at the end of q
| year even she had almost forgotten ''the
gentleman who played cribbage with her
ladyship." Mr.. Faulkner was then re-
membered only by his creditors in diff
ferent parts of the world.-CornhiI Mag
aZine.