The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-04-09

indispensable that the person pur-
chasing and presenting the magic num-
bers for to-morrow's drawing should
be peculiarly stamped upon his flesh
the holier the better"
"Ah9 cried the leader, with gusto.
~ rather think am the man.
And he barred his brawny arm to
the shoulder, displaying thereon an
inscription in India-ink tattoo.
mot SO fast, captain!' exclaimed
another. II can beat that, I fancvo
Aud stripping his own arm, he re-
vealed villainously designed tattoo
mark IN different colors.
There Was an eager barring of arms
and bosoms all around, this custom
OF tatooing being flvorite one
among the mountaineers.
l shook my head dissatisfedly, and
then fixed my eyes on Pietro Malasso
with what intended for mysterious
ana prophetic look the man having
hung back from the others, notwith-
standing that Nita was apparently
urging him to a similar display in a
low voice.
At last, apparently yielding with
much reluctance, he tore open his
shirt, revealing very creditable de-
sign done in sepia and pink tints on
MS breast-the very distinguishing
mark by which I would be enabled to
identity hlm as the fugitive murderer.
And closing my eyes in rapt at
tltude, l called out at haphazard
though jerkingly, and with an appear
ance OF occult prompting. these five
numbers: "2, 13, "a, 26, 73."
A shout OF jubilation arose from the
mlscreants, who evidently regarded
the Lottery prizes already won.
Malasso was regarded as a partcu-
larry favored individual; and I at
once set forth on my return to Nanles
under their leaders special escort as
had been promised.
But apart from the particular re-
suit l was aiming for, a. wholly uney-
pected and most remarkable deye]on-
ment was destined to evolve out of
this strange adventure.
The National Lottery of italy is
based on the old game of s'lots."
There are ninety numbers, and one
can stake on one, two, three, four, or
hve OF them, any sum, from one franc
to a thousand, being paid pro rata of
the numbers coming out.
Once safe in my hotel apartment. I
discarded my Franciscan garb for nv
proper habiliments, and at once COM
municated the result of my adventure
to the chief of the Neapolitan police,
with whom I had previously made
myself and my mission acquainted,
and who cheerfully promised me his
cooperation.
Then, on my way back to the hotel,
a sudden impulse seized me. and stop
ping at one of the lottery offices,
staked ten francs on each Of the num-
bers | had given to the brlgands.
At the drawing of the following day,
to my utter astonishment, the five
numbers actually did come out. and
was just ten thousand francs richer.
But at an early stag e of the an
nouncements, had already marked
Malasso and Mia side by side in the
crowd, while others of the brigands
were scattered here and there. They
had all doubtless staked heavily on
the combination, and We're wild with
Joy in consequence. u 5-
Isignalled the chief of police and
several Of his subordinates, who were
on the alert, and then laid my hand
roughly on my mans shoulder, declar-
ing him my prisoner.
His stilettO was in his hand in a
flash, and he turned on me like tiger,
but had him down and handouts on
him before he could strike a blow.
Nita, no less desperate than he, was
quickly taken in charge while in the
act of clapping pistol to my head.
[ then pointed out to the chief of
police several of the brigands, includ-
ing Lazanetto, but the official only
shrugged his shoulders, and declined
to make any arrest on his own &C
count.
"Peste! What is the use?" he said,
in his easy going way. '.You can
make no criminal charge against them
my friend. Ais fair in a lottery, as
in love and war, and the kidnapping
OF a bogus Franciscan or two is OF
very little account"
But I had secured my murderer,
and subsequently got him back to
New York, where in due course OF
time he was indicted, tried, convicted,
and hanged for his crime; and I was,
moreover, just as much richer as has
been indicated in the foregoing.
Mia was left behind, as a matter of
course, and have understood that
she afterwards became the wife of
Lazanetto.
The brigands were in clover, for
none others could have played the
combination so strangely forced out
Of me save by the purest chance; and
I have heard that the Government
had to pay ten millions of francs on
that one days drawing. But as there
was no Fra Ambrogio to give the
fortunate clue thereafter, and as there
was q great run on the lottery the
following week, with a very different
result, the State was enabled to re-
coup itself. Altogether it was the
strangest adventure in all my detec-
tive experience. r..
e