The Globe-republican., 1902-10-23

Bending over the fallen chiefs the
monk felt their breasts as If to learn
whether they were alive or dead The
investigation evidently satisfied him,
for he turned and signaIed for some
of the house servants and soldiers to
carry the prefetto and the count into
the house
Thoroughly bewildered now, 1 made
sure that Dambo's cords were secure.
dragged him out of Nita's room and
into that in which Pacho Maligpi had
been killed. and, locking both doors.
put the keys in my pocket and went
down to meet Brother Michael.
On the stairs 1 met Mutterelli, who
was sauntering carelessly along smol1-
ing a cigarette.
You here?' 1 cried. Il did not see
you in the fight
mo, signor" he said "a man who
has prospects of fifty thousand lire
never risks his life in a fight with
bandits I was looking for you
have something for YOU
From under his jacket he took a
box-the red tin box that had been
taken from Pacho Maligni.
Where did you get that?' 1 asked.
I'm Dambo's quarters he said. 1T
seems to connect him with the murder
of Malignf-"
TT does, it does." I said. And
Dambo is this minute lying bound in
Pacho Maligni's room And In the
next lies Nita Barlotti in dead faint
I was going after some cognac for
her The doors are locked"
Give me the keys" he said. Il
| have a flask. 1 will bring the sig
norma round. You go below-Broth-
! er Michael may wish to you
| I felt that I could trust Muterellf,
| and handed him the keys. Then I
went down into the library. where the
| prefetto and the Count di Pordino
had been carried.
| Two broad low touches had been
/ hurriedly drawn out into the center of
the library Upon one lay the pre-
| fetto, and upon the other the Count
| di Pordino. 1t was evident, even to
| my Impractical eyes, that both these
| men were dying.
Physicians who had hurried to the
| villa, aroused by the alarm bells of
| the monastery, were working over
| them, and by the side of each stood
a monk, holding crucifix in his hand.
THAT is all we can do" said one
THE wounds are fatal Neither the
| prefetto nor the Count di Pordino will
| live till daylight
The wounded men looked about
| them. They were conscious and
| heard their doom as pronounced by
| the physician.
Brother Michael stepped nearer to
them, and said:
"Sons, you have heard the sad
words of the physician. Make your
stand before him to be judged for
your deeds on earth, and if they have
been evil, for the degree of repen-
lance and reparation you have given.
Have you, Count di Pordino any sin
or secret on your soul which you
wish to confess and receive absolu-
ton and forgiveness before you go
before the final and the Almighty
| Judge?''
The count looked at the monk fee
bly, moment and slowly shook his
| head.
rs there nothing? Think count
of your past life. Is there nothing ?
Have you ever borne false witness
against another?'
A frightened look came into the
counts eyes.
"Ah!" softly said Brother Michael
There is something. Is it about
| Henry ThorIane?"
The count made a sign of assent.
THE crime with which he was
charged, and for which he was sen.
fenced to a servile penance for TWEEN
ty years, and for which his estate was
conf1scated and turned over to your
hands-did he commit that crime
Was he an enemy of the protector
The lips of the dying count formed
the word No
The monk then turned to the pre-
fetto.
(To be continued.)