The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-10


| opinion on the subject once and for all.
I had at that time a business COM
mission in the larger towns of Italy,
and from Verona I was going on to
Venice In my compartment was
young Italian-a rather nasty looking
fellow, clad in curious green travel
ing cloak We did not speak to one
another, and as it was very cold,
curled myself up in my corner and
went to sleep, wishing inwardly that 4
had had the fOrethOught to bring a nice
warm oVercoat with me like that Of
my companion.
When I awoke we were apparently
nearing Venice, and / was the only oc-
cupant of the carriage. Where the
Italian had got out I did not know, but.
curiously enough, he had left his cloak
behind him. It was a new garment,
warmly lined, and I slipped it over my
shoulders, intending to hand il over to
the officers at Venice Ten minutes
later the train steamed into the sta
ton, and 1 tumbled out to look after
my luggage There were a good many
people in the train. and in my eager
ness quite forgot that 1 was wearing
a cloak which did not belong to me,
and which I ought to hand over forth
with to the lost property office
Outside the station there We're the
usual crowds Of persuasive gOndoliers
plying for hire and the whole scene
was one of hustle and confusion. 1t
of the station, reflected in the 1nky
black water, had a weirdly picturesque
effect Presently a gondolier came
toward me, gave me a searching glance
which took me in from head to foot
and then inquired, with a cOurtly bow
if he might have the honor of taking
the signor to his hotel. 1 signlfied nay
assent, and in a few moments my Few
belongings and myself We're more or
less snugly slowed away. With a Few
deft strokes my gondolier drew clear OF
the crowd at the station, and we We're
presently gliding down the broad
bosom of the Grand Canal
The night was cold, and there was
kind of damp freshness in the biting
wind which sighed across the lagoon
Instinctively drew my cloak closely
round me, and then realized with a
jerk that I had quite forgotten to de-
liver it up to the railway officials.
How forgetful of me-" I thought But
never mindl I viii send messenger
from the hotel with it tomorrow morn
ing"
The ancient palazzo, now turned into
a plebeian hotel, at which l had en-
gagged rooms. was situated on side
canal some little distance from the
Grand Canal, and we were presently
threading a maze of narrow water
ways lit only by twinkling lamps
which threw struggling lines Of light
across the inky water Everything was
absolutely quiet. for Venice Is indeed
a silent CITY when night falls on the
scene. Occasionally, but very rarely, a
gondola would cross our pain anu
every now and then there came the
monotonous chant of my gondoher, as
we neared a point where the canaA
branched off 'tSa stai" he would chant
as we turned to the right; 'sa preml.
as we dived into some devious water
way to the left; while, If we We're keep.
ing straight on, "lungo EN-! ro4leo
across the waters from his lips
It seemed to me that we We're taking
rather a long time to reach the ho S
but as had not been IN Venice Og T1s
I did not like to say anything Fres-
entlv however, the gOndOla ran along
side a sort of decayed stone quay
above which lowered a closely smut
tered house, evidently OF conslueraDle
surely this Is not the Hotel --?''
I cried. in surprise; sit looks m ore ike
some dungeon
signor" he said; the hotel IS down the
passage to the left, and Will DO my
self the pleasure of conducting your
excellency thither.
loop of rope over stone proJectoh'
and led me toward a narrow passage
which / had not noticed. At the 1aI
end of this alley I saw a twinkllng OH
1a,,9,o which nv guide assured me was |
the light of the Hotel --- 1hWdruly
I cursed the friendly italian merchant
at Verona who had recommended me
to such a miserable place.
Suddenly without the slightest warn |
ing. I felt something slipped over my |
head. I heard a few muttered com
nands and then I felt myself pelhS !
carried by strong arms
breathe: but I realized at once that 1 |
was the victim of an outrage. And the |
memory of all the crimes which nave |
occurred in this vast network OF silent |
waterways and ancient houses surgeu
into my brain until felt sick with ter
Presently 1 was laid down none too |
gently on a bench. Then came the |
shutting of a door, and silence l tried |
to rise to my feet, but during the brief |
period I had been carried along my
captors had cOntrived to bind me, so /
that now found it impossible to move |
Ny thoughts at this time were none too
pleasant / realized that if I never left |
my prison no one would be very much |
the wiser, and the reflection did not |
make me feel any more comfortable.
was not left to myself for long. |
Presently / heard footsteps close to me, |
the cover over my head was torn on, |
my footstraps removed and 1 was '9a |
from the room by a weird-looking ng- |
ure in a mask and hood. He bore an /
uncomfortable resemblance to mem |
Der Of the Spanish 1nquisition-
We emerged into a brilliantly lighted |
room, filled to overlooking with men, |
all clad in the same somber garb OF l
mask and hood. AS my gaoler drew /
me in a kind of muffied roar went up 1
from the assembly, and those nearest |
to me shook their fists in my face. Sud |
denly a tall man at the far end of the /
room moved toward me, the others
making way for him respectfully
For a moment he gazed earnestly into |
my face. Then he turned angrily to my /
gaoler. what, in the name of heaven, |
does this mean2'' he Kissed You have /
brought the wrong man"
Instantly CONSERVATION reigned in the /
room. and everybody crowded round to /
examine me, while the gaoler tried to |
explain things. Up to this moment I