Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-05
CHAPTER Tx.
CAUGHT MAPPING

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1t is the hour of midnight the third af-
ter that of Tomassos treason, when the
vedette stationed at the northern entrance
to the valley hears the VOLTS whine, in
long-drawn treble, sent up the gorge from
outside. It's first notes startles, while set
ting him on the alert. After what has
happened there is no fear of him being
found asleep upon his post but instead,
keeping it with sharp and constant vigil
lance; for he knows that soon as the chief
returns-which he has not yet-Petronio
stands a good chance of being shot.
With this thought ever present to his
mind, he is wakeful as a weasel; has been
ever since entering on his watch. And
wary, too; for had wakefulness alone been
needed the sentinel who let Tomasso pass
so slackly would not now be shut up in a
eel with the likelihood of being dragged
out of 1t to die.
Thus warned against making a similar
mistake, he is now on the watch, though
knowing what he has heard to be no cry
of wolf, but only imitation. nevertheless
hesitates before answering it, Not till it
has been thrice repeated, does he send
back response to the signal.
Soon after, in the shadowy darkness, he
sees four men approaching up the pass,
one of them with large oblong bundle
on his back
When opposite his post, the one in adj
vance comes to a stop directing the 9TH
ers to keep on AS they file past the We
dette, going UP the narrow gorge, he sees
that which he had supposed to be a pack
age of stolen goods is the body of human
being. A woman, he can tell by the I'M
dulatng outlines of the figure and the
small feet dropping below the skirt of the
capot, which covers her from neck to an
kles. He cannot see her face; nor is he al
lowed to crafty his curiosity either by a
look or a word of inquiry, the man who
has stopped demanding instantly, and in
an authoritative tone:
why were you so slow in answering
the signal?'
Because, capo," returns the sentry rec
ognizing his chief, Il had need to be sure
about it."
'"sure-I gave it myself For what rea-
son, pray are you SO cautious this night
more than any other? Speak sirrah! Is
there anything amiss?"
"Amiss, capo! that's just the word. I'm
sorry to say there is
"What?''
"A man missing, or I'd better say two"
''Who are they?''
"Our prisoner, for one, escaped. The 9TH
er's the man who let him-aye, helped him
-Tomasso."
"Traitor!' cries the chief. gritting his
teeth like a tiger, then adding, with a
fierce oath: "Ill have their heads, both
of Them in basket before many days
pass. How did they go off? And when?
Let me hear ALL.
well, capo, it was on the night, three
days ago, after midnight The forestiere
cut through the roof, and climbed out.
Tomasso, who was on camp guard that
night, must have supplied him with the
knife"
But how did they get out of the val
ley? BY the southern pass or this one?''
''They went this way telling a story to
Petronio who was on the watch here
His head, too! The thick skull! Twill
make the bulkiest of the trio. as the first
off. Where is he?''
''Safe slowed, capo, in the prison cell,
and closely guarded
"Cospetto! He'll be safer slowed in an
hour from now, where he'll need no guard
ing. The devil will do that for him. But
the pursuit? Have any gone after?"
Eyes, twenty men started Immediately.
The signorina despatched them without a
moments delay
And none f-them have returned?"
Not yet"
Nor sent back report?"
Not a word. capo."
Sangre di Christol That's strange! /
must on and hear the full account at
quarters. Keep your ears sharp open;
your eyes. too, more than ever. This
thing puts US in peril
So saying, the bandit chief strides on af-
ter the other three, leaving the vedette in
doubt whether the thing calling for in
creased vigilance be that which one of
them bears upon his back, or the treachery
of Tomasso.
For while he stands considering which,
his thoughts also leading him TO conject-
ure who may be the new-made captive
Something there is to assist him for he,
too, has heard of the chiefs amorous de-
signs and the direction they have been
taking.
That dainty danlsel of Val di Orno," he
mutters to himself. 1--WE no doubt it's she
Sciaceia has on his shoulder 1 wonder
how she feels, transported in such fashion.
1t isn't so nice as sitting in an easy chair,
nor half so nice for the Smasher Well.
they'll soon be at their journeys end.
where he'll get relieved. But if that's the
sort of burden he's carrying won't there
be a racket with Civetta, That gentle
creature has been for some days past sus-
picious of the capos movements, jealous
as an eagles mate If this young thing-I
know she's that by her shape-be meant
for another mate. then feathers must fly
Fur on feathers. it's no business of mine;
let them fight it out among themselves
Thus phtlosophically concluding the SEN
try sits down upon stone draws out his
pipe lights 1t, and commences smoking.
Soon the narcotic weed produces the ef-
feet OF making him feel commandment,
and once or twice he is nearly nodding
over. But catching himself, and remern-
bering Corvinos last words-still more his
threats anent Petronio-he wakes up to
vigilance keen as ever. But he has been
a long time on post-the party detailed for
pursuit having shortened the Roster OF