The Holly chieftain., 1903-03-06

he was doing and had been doing 1t
long time. "It will be ready In .
minute. A bit of toast and sip Of
wine will do you good. Keep still.
Yon are all right signor."
"Autterelli!" I, whispered.
''signor! You know mel" he cried.
Jesus be praised! You have long been
near death. but now you will be re-
stored to lifs. All. signor! How's
that!''
Az he said this he put = wooden
board before me. upon which was =
glass OF wine ard bit OF white breast
Of chicken and slice of toast. Moth
ing that had ever eaten in Delmon-
ico's tasted half 20 good as that dain-
ty morsel in that hour Of my return to
earth.
Then l closed my eyes and delic.
ious sense Of rest stole over me, and
fell asleep. q
slept long and sweetly. and awoke
much refreshed. Feeling strong.
raised myself on my elbow and looked
about. Squatting on, low stool near
the opening OF the grotto was Nut
terelli. smoking the inevitable cigar
cite. calmly pairing some potatoes.
the expression on his face being one
Of utter content and placid happiness.
| "Mutterellit" uaid In whisper,
which was all the voice could raise.
Mutterelli laid down his knife and
came toward me.
| You called. signor," he said.
Where is the monk?" asked
Mutterelli put his finger to his lips.
You are not to talk. signor," he
said. BE patient, and when you are
stronger we will speak of it. You
have been very Ill, signor"
How long have been in the grot-
to-. Mutterelli?" asked.
Sixteen days, signor."
sank back on my fur couch, over
come by sense Of weakness and ut
ter helplessness. Sixteen days! And
it seemed as though 1t was but an
aour since the monk had carried me
into the grotto. and had set about
dressing my wound. And the change
from the monk to Mutterelli was SO
strange, SO unexpected. Yet Mutter-
elli was calm, and seemed perfectly
at home In this strange place.
When he had replied to my last
| question he offered me glass of wine,
which 1 drank Then he. turned and
walked out of the grotto. / remem-
bered that he had done this when I
first saw and recognized him, and
realized that this was his method of
enforcing silence. So alone lay, and
in my weakness wondered what chain
Of circumstances had led Mutterelli
to the grotto.
In about an hour Mutterelli re.
turned.
He slowly rolled cigarette in his
fingers and lighted it. drew a stool
near my bed and sat down.
How do you feel. signor?" he
asked.
II feel much better" / replied.
Mutterelli was evidently going to
talk. SO l waited patiently for him to
begin.
"You have been very sick, signor," !"
he said finally. ut is now sixteen
days since you came here"
| Yes" replied $50 you told me
before. But how many days is 1t
since you came here?"
Sixteen, signor," he replied calm.
ly.
"You followed met"
yes, signor. was told where to
find you"
Then my hiding place is known!"
said.
Yes. signor. Your hiding place is
known to me and to the monk who
brought you here. That is ALL"
And you saw the monk? You must
have seen him. for he only could tell
| you where to find me-"
Yes, signor. saw the monk. He
is good monk, signor. alone In
Sardinia have his confidence. The
monk and ! belong to the same secret
society, signor. though am but q
poor member. See, signor?" e
What is his name. Mutterellir'
He is Brother Michael, signor, Of
the order Of Jesuits. He is high in
favor with the general of the order,
sigror. and travels much, doing mis-
sionary work"
| The exertion of talking had been
severe and felt that must stop.
you are weary, sfgnor" said Nut
terelli. you have talked too much.
You must rest. will leave YOU"
He sauntered toward the entrance
to the grotto, and saw him pause
I