The Holly chieftain., 1903-02-27
MoubkH,l, te UufI0|lgI.
sy SEWARD ". HOPKINS.
Aashss q "Jsck ReaAeas q Aosseea.'' ia ths
cAiaa Sea-" -Tws 0sstie0ea q
l1sUsai," ''0s . Falss
cAArgs." Etc.
ossr,Rs, ,''s. By Ro.rar sou...'s so.A
CHAPTER nm.


dragged themselves along toward
morning. were anything but refresh
ing. M
The dominant thought, of course,
was that l had got myself In a bad
scrape and would probably lose my
life. For one moment the thought
did come to me: There is the United
States minister" dismissed the
idea as holding out no hope. l had 70
means OF communicating with our rep
resentstive. In fact, was entirely
cut on from all communication with
the world. Ny friends would prob
ably never know what became Of me.
My only hope was Mutterelli. And
where. through all of this, was Nut
terelli?
Calling to my assistance all the
nerve possessed. resolved to put
on as good face In the matter as
possible. and not allow the prefetto or
his guards to see any signs of weak
ness in my demeanor.
The room in which I was held was
well lighted by large lamp which
hung from the ceiling. drew
chair under the lamp. and with the
same nonchalance which would have
characterized me had been n my
favorite corner at the Lotus Club with
the major and Dilkins around me In
stead Of the black-looking Sardinians.
pulled from my pocket and began to
read the paper l had taken from the
table in Pacho Malignis room. 1t
read as follows:
New York City, in the Stat New
York, In the United Stats of Amer
lea, May is, 1S-.
ITO the person who, when am
dead, shall obtain this paper, I salute.
1t Is that am at every day in the
great danger of being killed by an
accident of my profeshun that leave
in this form the story of Nita Bar
lotti. that, perhaps in some long day
to become she may be restor to those
where she belong and who haf lost
her. And l. who am known to the
world as Barlotti the Trapeze King,
pray to that person who reads these
words to do what he can and what
cannot to the good end tnat Nita Bar
lotti may know. who she really is,
and may come into her own II she is,
as belief. the daughter Of a rich
person.
1T viii be surprise to the person
who find this to know that my name 1t
is not Barlotti. but Sigmctta. Yes.
l am Antonio Sigmotta. and Barlotti
Is the name haf take In the circus to
please my brother. who was very rich
and physician in New York.
When came this country I was
poor-very poor. went to my
brother. and ne was angry to me in
words. but he did some kindness to
me that he let me live IN hi: house
till l haf money to keep myself.
make contract with Maligni to go in
the circus as trapeze actor, and mr.
brother max me change my Lame. so
not to disgrace him.
"One day went into my brother,
private room for something. 1t was q
workshop-he cell laborator.a or some
like thet. 1t was at the nj hit, and
was very dark. My brother was In
his bedroom.
Il lighted the gas In the laboratoria,
and found what was looking for
some medicine he gave me when had
the aching Of the LEAD.
AS was about to turn back the
gas to 80 out, saw q bundle on the
floor. 1t seemed to me that 1t move.
Then stood stlii, and hear hltle
cry like child. rush to the door.
= listen for my brother. but he net
to be heard. l open the bundle. 1t
was . sack. with strings, In the end.
1t had in It q little child-a girl. I
drew it out. The child breath and
moan. but do not scem to know, and
then l know my brother had given II
. drug.
Then I hurry. trembling much, and
took some cloths and other things
and make rag baby Just the size Of
the child took from the sack. I put
the rag baby in the sack and made It
tight like 1t was before opened
AZ. Then l quick carry the live child
to my room and hide It in my bed.
Then I watch. Pretty soon my brother
come and 60 to the laboratoria. 1
keep quiet 10 he do not hear me, and
follow him. He take the sack and my
rag baby and steal from his own
house like he was thief. and I know
he was worse. Still, follow him.
S'My brother went into . dark street
and went to the docks on the East
river. saw him take stone and
In . ~ - A.