The Lamar register., 1903-01-14

ly, I am in some persons way, and
unless the secret is discovered,
shall, no doubt, be murdered. If you
can help me, you will win my graft
tude."
Thus prettily asked, I walked be-
side them, and the old woman came
ambling after, muttering to herself
things | could not understand, but in
which l frequently heard the name
Maligni.
Now, there was more than one rea-
son why it seemed perfectly proper
for me to accompany Nita and Maui
bikeck, and lend what assistance
could in this time of need. To begin
with, was much interested in the
girl herself-personally- of
her grand beauty, and the romantic
interest always attached to a beautiful
girl in her position.
Secondly, | was interested in Nita
Barlotti, as has been shown hereto
fore, because she closely resembled
the photograph of Charles Gravis-
courts wife, and because in that re-
semblance there had seemed to be
some shadowy hint that Graviscourt
was not all that he seemed to be be-
fore the world. And in striking at
Graviscourt, | was striking a blow
for my own love, and this Is motive
that will always stir the heart of
man whose love is withheld from him
by another's will.
Thirdly. was interested in the
lion-tamer. He impressed me as be-
ing no ordinary individual-very diff
ferent from the average circus at
tache. as was Barlotti herself. and
in the evidences of love that | had
seen pass between these two, l had
seemed to see a reflection of my
own, and this claimed my interest.
If nothing else.
Fourthly, | had seen the act of the
man who had set fire to the trapeze
rope, and was, no doubt. the only hui
man being, save himself, who had
seen 1t. 1t became me, therefore. to
aid Maubikeck and Nita by using the
knowledge | possessed. and by iden-
tifying the miscreant who had fired
the rope, ascertain through him his
motive, or. If he had been employed
to do the thing, the name of his
cowardly employer.
One of the facts that / learned by
this adventure was that the stars of
circus lived. when away from the
glare and tinsel of their profession.
much like other people with plenty
of money to spend.
Leaving the Garden by means of
one of the private entrances. Maubi-
keck t.-.iled carriage. 1t was a
good one, and was drawn by a team
of well-fed, sleek-looking horses, and
thought 1t was probably the one he
used every night for his own convey
ance, and we all got into it. Maubi-
keck and Nita sat together. and the
old hag sat with me. with our backs
toward the driver. She was not
pleasant carriage companion, and I
would gladly have exchanged places
with Maubikeck. The old woman
swayed back and forth, moaned,
wrung her hands, and spoke fiercely
to Maubikeck, who told her with un-
mistakable emphasis to hold her
tongue.
81 will explain this woman's ve-
hemence, Signor Wilberton." said the
lion-tamer. "Pacho Maligni is hard
master and jealous man. He allows
no one but himself and those hired
for the purpose to come near Nita
Barlotti. Believe me, this is the first
time since we opened in Madison
Square Garden that | have accom-
panied the signorina to her hotel. Ma
ligni keeps her constantly under his
care, and this woman is employed hS
him to prevent others-principally
myself-from coming into the pres
ence of the signorina. That we are
enabled to be with her now is due
solely to the mishap which has be-
fallen Maiigni. He may be dead at
this moment or seriously wounded.
That he is wounded is certain, or he
would have been on hand as usual
to take Nita to the hotel"
"And where does Maligni live?"
asked.
AT the same hotel"
h4