The Holly chieftain., 1903-01-23

tfom MIN, Ne V0ukQ capture me and
bring ne hack to my DEGRADING life.
What can I dot"
Nita paused here. - II she was
weary. I had taken . small notebook
from my pocket, and vas jotting down
all the importnat points Of her story.
still. there was nothing IN 1t that shed
the slishtest ray Of light on the mys-
terry in hand.
'.Now. signorina." I said. let me ask
you question: Your trapeze IL al
ways In the care Of the same person.
II II mott"
mot one, but two.'' she replied.
The two attendants are called San
cho and Dambo."
Describe them" I said.
"Dambo has curly hair. His eyes
are small like . snakes, and gleam
and glitter all the time. His hair is
not ong, but his mustache is very long
and has straight waxed ends"
"Ha!" said. "Dambo is the man
We want. He IL the fellow who set
fire to the ropes"
''Dambo!" Nita murmured, II can
hardly believe 1t. Did you see him do
1t, signor Wilbertonf"
II saw him fire the second rope,
after which he disappeared in the
crowd and could not catch him. We
will zee to Mr.. Dambo later. "signor-
Ina now think hard for few minutes.
/ am going to ask you strange Ques-
tion."
She looked at me with a patient
smile on her weary conn,enance.
You may ask It," she said
Has anything that you can recall
In your life-any incident, any word,
any look, any act. seemed to indicate
that you were not Barlottis daugh-
teri"
"signor Wilberton!" she gasped.
"Maubikeck!" The cry was like that
of a frightened child, and Maubikeck
drew nearer to her. and placed one
of his giant arms around her.
you understand" continued,
that don't suggest this as being
true, but simply ask the question. You
have none Of the characteristic fea-
lures of the Italian race. should
judge you to be either English or
American. Now, can you think of any
incident at the bedside of your
father"
STAY" she cried. LET me think.
At my fathers bedside-no 1 was so
confused and frightened and sorrow.
ful that I scarcely saw. No, there
could be nothing. My father gave me
to Maligni, and the box"
"Box!" l said, interrupting her.
You said nothing about box be-
fore"
1T was = red tin box" she said,
locked with a little brass paddock.
Ny father gave 1t to Maligni, and said
something in the tongue have since
learned was Sandman. asked Mali
gni once what the box contained, and
he said 1t contained the contract be-
tween him and my father"
Il would give much to gain posses
sion Of that box" said. do you
know where Maligni keeps it,"
mo. have never seen 1t since the
day my father died"
Just then there was q great tramp
ing Of feet in the hall, which stopped
at the door opposite. opened the
door OF Nita's room and peeped out.
There were three men there-M Maligni,
with his face all hidden In bandages,
my old friend. Doctor Dinsmore, and
Major Simmons. The doctor and the
major went inside with Maligni, but
remained only . few minutes. When
heard them come out, said:
"Signorina. you have already had
too much excitement tonight. and you
need rest. The first thing to be done
is to Hnd Dambo. which L. shall set
about as soon as have my burned
hands attended to-"
"Oh. you are too generous and
kind" she said. You are suffering
on my account. It is too bad"
1T 10 nothing" said. Now we Will
see the doctor and have our burns
dressed. Come, Maubikeck."
He followed me out and l hurried
after my friends. | caught them at
the door Of the hotel
"Ah. Wilberton!" exclaimed Major
Simmons, when hailed him and Doc
tor Dinsmore. II have been looking
for you! How is the girl1''
"Nita is all right" replied. "How
Is Maligni?"
"Maligni IL more frightened than
hust," said Doctor Dinsmore. "The
bullet was evidently intended for his
brain. but missed its MARI, He will
ha wall In = fov devs