Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-01-29

No. 6144. of June 80, 1889, approved by
royal decree No. 6517, third series, dat
ed Nov. s. 1889, requires householder
to report himself and family to the To-
cal office Of public safety within five
days of taking possession. Vostra sig
nora has been in Siena fortnight with
out complying with the requirements Ut
the law. Nor has the English proprietor
OF the villa furnished the report which
the law requires Of him. The affair is
very grave, and by article 115 Of the
same regulations may entail fine of so
lire or imprisonment for ten days.
Internally cursed all the formalities
Of Italian law.
Look here, said firmly. II will
satisfy your requirements and pay your
fine before I go to bed. But first let me
tell you that that man has tried to rob
and murder me at this very moment.
Your timely entry probably saved my
life. thank you, but now command
you to arrest him."
The guardia looked good naturedly
incredulous could see what was pass
ing in Aissmind. Evidently person
who had failed to report himself under
article 110 for the regulation Of the law
of June 80, 1889, was suspect, and his
word counted for nothing.
See here," I cried, producing it, II
have a passport. "
The guardia glanced at it as if it had
been some hieroglyphic scroll that there
was no possibility of divining. "Lookp
continued in triumph as reversed it.
"It has been vised by the italian consul
general in London" The guardia's eyes
frightened little. II have, moreover"
resumed, throwing as much solemnity
into my voice as the Importance Of the
fact required, "a certificate from the
lord mayor.
The magic charm Of this august title
had its usual salutary good effect. I
saw that the last remnants Of the
guardia's 3 hesitation had vanished. He
turned to do my bidding.
But great change had meanwhile
come over the Hon. Patrick Kilfnane
Winch. He had sunk into an armchair,
his head had fallen forward, his teeth
were chattering violently, there was a
streak of Shiny foam on his small,
pursed lips.
The guardia bent down kindly and
raised his head.
''The man has gone mad, signore,"
he said.
It was true enough. Half mad at the
best of times, his brain had evidently
wholly lost balance in the excitement Of
his attempt upon me. The guardia pro-
duced the terrible instrument that had
been so nearly comprising my death.
SIT is of ancient make, signore," he |
said, .'and covered with rust and mud. |
He must have found it in sor ditch. |
And see, signore.' he continued with a
polite smile, it is not even loaded"
Not loaded? Oh, the ignominy Oh,
the shame! ground my teeth again |
and again.
The Hon. Patrick Kilfnane Winch was |
was lodged that night in the Siena man.
icomio.
made inquiry about him later on.
His name was Richard Davis. He was |
born in Bermondsey. No trace existed |
Of his ever having been anything or |
done anything. For the last Is years at |
least he had led the life Of one Of those |
curious waits, more numerous than it |
might be supposed, who, possessed Of
the devil nomad, wander aimlessly
over the whole continent, picking up !
what aims they can from the members |
Of English and Scotch churches and
from British continental charitable So
cieties. Davis had played many parts,
all equally clumsily. He seems to have
had some skill, however, in personating
the rigid evangelical who had found
salvation. At all events it was his most |
profitable role. His career of wandering
came to an abrupt end in my study at
Siena But his restless spirit could not |
brook restraint. Under confinement his |
body gave way as well as his mind. and
he died three months after his admission |
to the madhouse. se.-Montgomery Car
michael in Temple Bar