Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-03-20
e.,,,,s... 1895. b, noa,ar Bo-.r,'. se.>
CHAPTER xi.


'I.et us go to the prefetto." said the
monk. "and give him warning OF the
evil work that is planned against him
tonight. The prefetto is our master.
We must protect him. for he Is the
representative OF the king. What is
your name. SOM"
II am called Dambo. father"
Come with me to the prefetto.
Come. traveller: l will need your evil
dence as we'll"
Wondering what desperate game the
monk was about to play. followed
him. The monk spoke a few words
to the guard. A servant was sum
moned. and We were led into the pres
cnce of the master OF all Cagliari.
your excellency'" said the monk.
by way of salutation.
Yes. Brother Michael" responded
the prefetto. You have news OF i'm
portance to convey. So said the serv'
ant. am ready to listen
Your exceliency.' said the monk.
'Tt Is my good fortune that I have
become possessed of important knowi'
edge that concerns your safety and
that OF the fair Signorlna Barlo'ti. who
Is under your roof
The pEcfctto started.
THAT cursed American" he said.
mo. This time II is one of your
trusted friends who Is plotting against
you. and who would. but for our
friends here. murder you this night
and carry away the signorlna for his
own
~
turning pale and looking ai Dambo
and me with staring eyes. lis this
true? Have I friend so ialEcg His
namr' His namc' demand his
nnmc'"
SLOW. your cScclicncy. DO not be
come excited" said the monk. calmly.
1T is the Count dI Pordino who thus
plots against you"
'-PordlnoT Impossible! He was
here to-day and drank wine with me,
and we spoke Of his approaching mar
riagc TO the ward OF my poor brother
ke' In he so bad rs that Let him
enter here and my own hand shall
Kiay HIM"
And aA the cnragcd prcfctto uttered
his threat against the count ! thought
of the words carved in the wall OF the
cell In the Tore dell Eic.antc and In
the marble of the grotio. Henry Thor.
lane. will arcngc.''
The prcfctto called tn. of!iccr Of
the guard and told him the facts. The
count was expected about midnight.
anu II was nearly that now.
Remember" said the prcfctto. rs
his captain was leaving. XIII all the
others. hut 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 n
waiting attitude on the front porch of
the prcfct,o's villa. were startled by
yell that came from n coppicc TO the
right. a shot was fircd. evidently by
enc of the pTcictto'H guards. and the
nash Of his rife lighted mp the grounds
for an instant. And In that instant
w. saw the forms OF men running TO.
ward the villa.
suddenly some one placed lights In
the windows of the villa. which threw
n glare out into the night. and by this
lisht the guards of the prcfc,to saw
the attacking party. and formed TO
meet them.
The villa became the scene OF indc.
Ecribablc excitement aud activity. The
screams OF frightened women. the
Ecryants Of the household. pierced the
AIR. aud rang out in unison with the
hoarsC shouts Of the soldiers and the
cries Of the attacking party.
The leader Of the attacking crowd
was but thinly Disguised. The Count
III Pordlno was n tall man. and bore
himself with carriage that was too
marked In character to be easily over
looked. lie was not wounded In the
charge. and In the glare of the lights
In the windows he could be seen urg'
irE his men ON.
The prcfctto. with a muttered curse.
rprang forward. evidently to meet the
rount face To face. AS he lcaprd from
the porch. the Jesuit slid after him.
was about to follow. when missed
Dnmbo who had been standing be.
hind me. a rush of fear came over
me. Dambo had had another purpose
Ia coming to the villa than to warn
the prcfc;tu. lie had before attempt.
cd Nita Barlotti's life-hc would do II
again.
Dropping my peddlcr's pack bound.
cd through the halls ard up the stairs
toward Nitn's roonf.
IN the excitement the door Of Bar.
iotti's rocm had been opened. reach.
ed the upper hall just in time to see
Dambo. knife in hand. enter her door.
Then scream. in n voice which
recognized as Nita's. told me the vii.
lain was at his work. Painting.
plunged on. and reached the room. to
sce Dambo. with knife upraised in
hts right hand while his lett ciutchcd
the frightened girl by the throat.
Raising my club. | uttered a prayer
for muscular strength. 1t must have
rceu answered. The club descended
upon the skull of Dambo. and he fell
back. half stunned. the hand that had
been at Nita's throat relaxed It's hold.
and the knife fell from the other to
the floor
"Nita." cried, seizing the half
falnting girl. and seeking to rcassure
her. You are safe, You know me.
| am wilberton, your frisnd!"
"Stpuur wIlhprtonl" she pasned