Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1902-08-14

CHAPTER Nl.-CONTINUED.
Leglosse had already engaged a cab,
and when l joined him l discovered
that he had also brought Sicilian po-
lice official with him. This individual
gave the driver his instructions, and
away we went. AS we had informed
the cahman, previous to setting out
that there was no time to be lost, we
covered the distance in fine style, and
just as the sun was sinking behind
the mountains entered the little viii
lage on the outskirts of which the
villa was situated. 1t was a delightful
spot, a mere cluster of human habita-
tions, clinging to the mountain-side.
The Angelus was sounding from the
rampanile of the white monastery,
further up the hillside, as we drove
along the main street. Leaving the
village behind us we passed on until
we came to the gates of the park in
which the villa was situated. We had
already formed our plans, and it was
arranged that the island official
should send his name in to Hayle, Le-
gIosse and keeping in the background
as much as possible. We descended
from the carriage and Leglosse rang
the bell which we discovered on the
wall; presently the door was opened,
and a wizenedup little man made his
appearance before us. An animated
conversation ensued, from which it
transpired that the new occupant of
the villa was now in the pavilion at
the foot of the grounds.
''In that case conduct us to him.
said the officer, but remember this,
we desire to approach without being
seen. Lead on!"
The old man obeyed and led us by a
winding path through the orangery
for upwards of a quarter of mile. At
the end of that walk we saw ahead of
us a handsome white edifce, built of
Btucco, and of the house or
der. 1t stood on a small plateau on
the first slope of the cliff and com
manded an exquisite view of the bay,
the blue waters of which lay some 200
feet or so below it.
His eXcellency is in there" said the
old man, in his Sicilian patos.
every good, in that case you can
tcdNc U.s. Sdlu tnC OIICcIS we can IIu
our way to him ourselves"
The old man turned and left us
without another word, very well
pleased, | fancy, to get out of the way
of that functionary. Goodness only
knows what memories of stolen vege-
tables and fruit had risen in his mind
Before we go in," | said, would
1T not be as well to be prepared for
any emergencies? Remember he is
not a man who would stick at much
We accordingly arranged our plan
of attack in case it should be neces-
sary, and then approached the build
ing. As we drew nearer the sound OF
voices reached our ears. At first ]
was not able to recognize them, but as
we ascended the steps to the pavilion
/ was able to grasp the real facts OF
the case.
Good heavens!" l muttered to my
self, that's Kitwater's voice" Then
turning to Leglosse, l whispered:
"We're too late, they're here before
us"
1t certainly was Kitwater's voice ]
had heard, but so hoarse with fury
that at any other time / should scarce
ly have recognized it.
Cover him, Codd," he was shouting
"and if he dares to move shoot him
down like the dog he is. You robbed
US of our treasure, did you? And you
eneakcd away at night into the cover
of the Jungle and left us to die or tc
be mutilated by those brutes Of Chi
nesc. But we've run you down at last
and now when ! get hold Of YOU, by
God, III tear your eyes and your
tongue out. and you shall be like the
two men you robbed and betrayed
Keep your barrel fixed on him, Codd
tell you! RcmembC. if he moves
you are 10 fire. Oh. Gideon Hayle
I've prayed on my bcndod knees foI
this moment, and now It's come
and-"