The Yale expositor., 1902-10-17
A0UbkeCk, The Lion Toner.
sy sEwARD w. noPKINs,
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America" In the
China Sea-" Two uentiemen Of
Hawaii" On a False
Charge" Etc.
o.vyrish,, rsDs. b. RonrEr BOssus'. SOFA
XL

We must protect him. for he Is the
representative OF the king. What Is
your name. SOM"
Il am called Dambo, father"
Come with me TO the prefctto.
Come. traveller; | will need your eyi.
dence as we'll"
Wondering what desperate game tho
monk was about 10 play. | followed
him. The monk spoke a few words
10 the guard. A servant was sum.
moncd. and We were led into the pres
ence OF the master Of all Caglari.
Your excellency!" said the monk.
by way OF salutation.
Yes, Brother Michael" responded
the prcfetto. You have news OF i'm
poitance to convey. So said the sery.
ant am ready To listen"
Your cxcellency." said the monk.
1t IS my good fortune that ! have
become possessed OF important knuwl-
edge that concerns your safety and
that of the fair Signurina BarlUtu. who
IS under your roof.
The preictto started.
THAT cursed American" he said.
NO This time il Is one OF your
trusted friends who is plotting against
you. and who would. bat for our
friends here. murder yen this night
ard carry away the s!snorina .or his
own
"Sacrc," exclaimed the prcfctto.
turning pale aud looking 81 Dambo
and me with staring eyes "ls this
true? Have friend SO false? His
name Ills name. demand his
name"
SLOW. your cSccilcncy. Do not be
come excited. said the monk. calmly.
1t IS the Count 81 Pord.uo who thus
plots against you.
"Pordino? Impossible, lie was
here to-day and drank vine with me.
and We spoke Of his approaching mar.
riags To the ward OF my poor brother
hc, Is he SO bad rs that? Let him
enter here and my own hand shall
STAY him"
And as the enraged prcfetto uttered
bis threat against the count I thought
of the words carved IN the wall OF the
cell in the Tore dell Ele!antc and in
the marble OF the grottu, Henry Thor
lane / will ayenge.'
The prefetto called the officer OF
the guard and told him the facts. The
Count was expected about midnight
ana Ia vas nearly that now.
Remember said the prcic;to. as
his captain was leaving. XIII all the
others. but leave the count To me-
The bells of the monastery were
ringing the hour Of midnight and the
darkness OF cloudy night was over
everything when We, who stood In a
waiting attitude on the front porch OF
the prcfetto's villa. were startled by
yell that came from cuppicc 30 the
right 4 shot was fired. evidently by
enc OF the protectors guards. and the
nash of his rifle lighted up the grounds
for an instant And ~ that instant
We saw the forms of mca running to-
ward the villa.
suddenly some one placed lights In
the windows ui the villa. which threw
glare out into the night. and by this
light the guards 81 the pgetctto saw
the attacking party and formed TO
meet them.
The villa became the scene OF indie.
scribable excitement and activity. The
screams OF frightened women. the
servants OF the household pierced the
air. and rang out in unison with the
hCarse shouts Ct the soldiers ana the
cries of the attaching party.
The leader q the attacking crowd
H,,t sRf,f,. Ntr.,.f....l fVf.. Cont
I'll Pordino was a tall man. and bore
h.nsclf with carriage that was too
marked I'm character 10 b. easily over
lo,..ed. lie was not wounded In the
cha ge and In the glare OF the lights
g. tie windows he could hc seen urg
irl his men on.
The prcfetto. with n muttered curse.
spraug forward. evidently 90 meet the
count face 10 face. As he lcaped from
the porch. the Jesuit slid after him. /
was about 10 follow. when ! missed
Dambo. who had been standing be.
HAD me. rush OF fear came over
me. Dambo had had another purpose
IN coming To the villa than 20 warn
the prefetto. Tie had before attempt.
ed Mia BarlOttis llfc-he would do II
again.
Dropping my peddier's pack bound.
ed through the halls and up the stairs
tcwrrd Nita's room.
N the excitement tho door OF BAR.
lotti's room had been opened. reach.
ed the upper hail Just In time 10 see
Dambo knife In hand, eater her door.
Then scream. In n voice which
recognized as Nlta's. told me the vii.
lain was az his work. Painting.
plunged on. and reached the room. To
see Dambo. with a knife appraised In
his right hand. while his left clutched
the frightened girl by the threat.
Raising my club, ] uttered a prayer
for muscular strength. II must have
been answered. Tao club descended
upon the skull OF Dambo and he fell
back. half stunned. the hand that had
been at Nita's throat relaxed its hold.
and the knife fell from the other 10
the floor.
"Nlta!" cried. selling the half