Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-11-28
CHAPTER VII.

| pocket into his.
CHAPTER VII.
That evening Mutterelli was miss
ing. He had quietly informed me-
that he would be gone all night, and
intimated that he might have some
thing to tell me in the morning. did
not like the new aspect of affairs
since l had learned that Maligni's
brother was the prefetto. But was
not daunted. l had come SO far. and
nothing would deter me from pushing
my plans to successful termination
or utter defeat.
With this determination l went to
bed.
In the morning had my breakfast,
and, strolling out ON the broad piazza,
met Mutterelli coming up the steps.
"Ah. signor. good morning" he said.
smiling.
Good morning, Mutterelli," I re-
turned. did you enjoy pleasant
EVENING""
| He looked at me in 4 significant
way, and led me to far corner of the
piazza. where, in the seclusion at
forded by huge pillars and matted
| vines, we could talk without moles-
| tation. @ -.
| Il spent very pleasant evening.
| signor." he said, his voice low and
full of meaning. Il have learned
something
And what have you learned?" l
asked. eager for news of any kind.
"Pacho Maligni is now in his broth
er's house-the guest Of the prefetto.
| Nita Barlotti is there also. and is, to
a great extent, kept prisoner
"Of course, could have told you
that" l answered He would not
| give her chance to escape
"And preparations are being made
at the villa for great event, signor,"
said Mutterelli.
! "Ah! What is it?'
Tomorrow the wedding of Nita
Barlotti and Pacho Maligni is to take
place"
! Tomorrow"
| \
time is evident in the great pleasure
to be seen in Malignis face, and the
| great sorrow to be seen in Nita Bar
lotti's. She does not love him, sig
nor"
| Love him! No, she loathes, hates
and fears him. But this wedding
must not be allowed to take place,
Mutterelli."
! My guide shrugged his shoulders.
How will you prevent it, signor?
1t is in the prefetto's house."
| "Prefetto or no prefetto, that we'd
ding shall never take place. l must
see Nta to-day"
Tonight. have arranged
you know the ground Could 1t
be made possible for Nita to escape
and to accompany us away from the
grounds?" :,
Yes, signor = accompany you.
While you are talking to the signo-
rina will not be seen by you. will
not be Mutterelli. your guide, then.
You understand. signor?"
you will visit the villa in disguise,
and carry out your plans-and mine
under Maligni's own roof?"
That is it, signor."
| l grasped his hand.
"You are true friend, Mutterelli,"
said. 1T is gratifying to find a man
so ready to assist who Is willing to
face the danger, and also able to plan
the affair. thank you"
Mutterelli laughed.
You have yourself named the
price, signor," he said.
lis there anything to be done to-
day?" I asked. Z ought, perhaps, to
take look at the place and get my
bearings in daylight"
True. signor. have arranged. We
will start at noon"
After dinner we stepped out on the,
piazza. A closed carriage, drawn
by two small but sturdy Spanish
horses, stood at the curb.
Come" raid Mutterelli; ut Is
ours"
He spoke few words to the driver,
and opened the door for me to enter.
I stepped inside. He slammed the
door, taking a seat beside me, and
the carriage ratified away.
After an hour of smooth rolling on
Sandman stone road, we came to
halt before small white inn almost
concealed among the trees.
| Come, signor," said Mutterelli,
stepping from the carriage.
followed him into the inn, and he
led me UP fight of stairs to room
in the rear. Taking key from his
pocket, he unlocked the door. Inside
was q collection Of garments-part Of
hunting garbs uniforms. grotesque
jackets, trousers, leggings. Two guns
stood against the wall.
What the deuce is all this, Mutter-
ELL :" asked In surprise.
1T is part Of our plan, signor. You
| wish to view the country near Ma.
lignis country villa. II you went
there as you are now, you would at.
tract attention. On the road past
Malignis many moufon hunters pass.
We are now mouflon hunters Do you
understand. signor?''
Il begin to- I said.
Mutterelli smiled. and began ct once
70 change his clothing for some Of the
4 psctusesque Sandman garments that
4 he had provided. followed suit.
L When had finished Il was clad from