The Holly chieftain., 1903-02-20
M0lbkugk, he uINfIQllgI.
BY SEWARD W. HOPKINS.
Asthse Il Jack Robslns d Aoesies.'' . '.Is tn
China Sea-" Tive Oestiemss -
Hawaii" '.Oa Q False
CHARGE" Etc.
oss,r,sat. 1895. By Ros..r Bo..m's sosA


Thorlane. for some reason, found Sar-
dinia pleasant home. and built
villa. He married lady of Naples
"a beauty whose black eyes played
with hearts like toys They lived in
Sardinia many years, and had q son
whom they called Henry. When Ma
ligni became prefetto, FIVE years ago,
the Signor Thorlane and his wife
were dead. and Henry Thorlane was
man full grown. He lived a busy
life, was famous hunter, and an
open enemy of the priests Of the mon
astery of The Saints. Maligni had
not been prefetto more than q year
when Henry Thorlane was accused of
conspiracy against him. and was SEN
fenced to twenty years. imprison-
ment. The prefetto, in the name Of
the king, confiscated the estate. and
gave 1t to the Count di Pordino, the
brother Of Thorlane's mother, who
brought the charges of the conspiracy
against his nephew. The Count di
Pordino lives there now, and man
might better fall into the hands of
Satan for an eternity than into the
hands of Pordino for a month"
"Why?"
Mutterelli shrugged his shoulders
again.
He is bandit chief" he said.
And friend of the prefetto?" l
asked. In surprise. Does the law
look favorably upon evil-doers in Sar-
dinia?'
No, signor. the law does not, but
some of the men of power who repre-
sent the law do. And perhaps to that
fact is due their power and their
/, wealth"
And Thorlane?" continued, for
had interested me. SIS he still in
PRISON."
Mutterelli shrugged his shoulders,
and a peculiar look came into his
eyes.
He is not in prison, sigror. Soon
after he was condemned he was re-
moved to The monastery of The
saints. He is believed to be still
there He may be dead, signor.".
Heavens" calculated. Can
such things be?"
'.les, signor. in Sardinia" said Nut
tereiliR
The priests had gone from our view
and we returned to the Villa di Ma
igni.
"signor." said MutterellI. you see
that little window opening onto the
balcony which faces the north?"
Yes l replied, Il see It,"
"That is where Nita Barlottl is con-
fined. She is not locked in the room,
but may go out on the balcony. You
see 1t is high from the ground. She
cannot escape by herself, and the SER
wants are always on guard to pre-.
vent It."
Then shall be watched tonight
when try to see her?" I said.
You will be watched, hu. you will
not be touched" he answered. "The
servants who will see you tonight are
brtbed to silence. But you must not
make a noise. for the prefetto has
armed guards near his person, and
should they hear you. all would be
losl.'
From here" said, my safest
course is to the south, and skirt Gag
liari on the east. You must make
arrangements this afternoon to have a
boat waiting for me. You can Join
pe on the road and guide me to 1t,
kfter have gone with Nita from the
house."
sssS x Will. signor. I even know the
1rpat will hire"
The lights were shining brightly
rom the windows of the house Of
the prefetto when Mutterelli and l |
approached. Creeping from
the carriage through . coppice, we
reached the wall which surrounded
Maligni's estate. Here we halted.
Nov, signor." said Mutterelli,
who generated the entire proceeding,
II win leave you herel 1t is now not |
much more than half-past eight
o'clock. must do my part. or yours
will be q failure.
''At nine ociock, signor," he con-
"the guard makes . round of
The place. You must not stir till after
hat hour. Creep along in the shadow
until you get under the balcony. You
will find there ladder which have
arranged for. Place It against the
balcony, but be careful and do not
make noise. The servants on that
side will not disturb you. but II you
lrouse Pacho Maligni. he will call
he guard. and you will be taken"
Il will be careful" l replied. "But
I