The Holly chieftain., 1903-03-13


up some unimportant things into :
pack. and singing 1t over my shoulder
on . stick.
passed few people, none Of whom
paid any attention to the weary old
Jew pIodding along on his way to Gag
liari.
1t was about eleven o'clock when l
arrived at 4 point near the villa OF
the prefetto. and stood moment AZ
IL resting. Several persons passed me.
none Of whom looked at me the Sec
ond time. But man passed me at
whom looked again and again.
He was . small man, an Italian. and
wore mustaches. waxed and cufled to
points. l recognized him at once. Ii
was Dambo, the man whom had seen.
in Madison Square Garden set fre to
the rope Of Barlotti's trapeze What
devilment might he be up to now, and
what perhaps. did he know about Ma
ligni's death?
1 resolved to follow him. and, pick.
ing up my pack. plodded along be;
hind him.
He led me along the road, and then
he climbed wall BY this means he
could skirt the villa grounds on the
side, passing through the adjoining
property. \ could not follow him, and
stood in the road looking after him.
studying in my mind what to do next.
AS stood there I saw a monk ap-
preaching. l. recognized him as Bro.
Michael at once
When he drew near to me he
seemed to start and show evidences OF
surprise. l stepped quickly to him.
Brother Michael" said, do you
know me?" 40
Il know you, son." was the reply
and then noticed that the soft voice
had none of Mutterellis Italian ac-
sent. Why are you here in spite OF
Mutterelli's warning? Do you not
know that your life is in danger?s
II know 1t, Brother Michael" said
but look at the retreating figure
skulking along the fence of the pre-
fetto's grounds. Can you see him
well?"
Il see him. son."
His name is Dambo. I saw that
man make a deliberate attempt to Kill,
Nita Barlotti in New York. He prob
ably knows more about the murder of
Maligni than he would care to tell. No
doubt he will kill the girl now If he
has an opportunity
Brother Michael seemed lost in
thought for moment.
HE is q dangerous man, son." he
said finally. Come. let us meet this
OF his purpose here"
I followed the monk, and together
we went around the prefetto's grounds
to meet Dambo in the rear. When he
saw US coming he stood moment as
If irresolute, and the monk motioned
for him to approach.
my son." said the monk, who was
now firmly fixed in my mind as Henry
Thorlane, your movements around
the villa of the prefetto have been
watched with suspicion. Danger turks
In the air when skulking men are
seen in shaded place. Is 1t not so?"
Dambo bowed his head as II abashed
by the implied accusation of the
monk.
ut is go, father" he replied. But
no danger turks where Dambo goes. /
come to warn the prefetto. father"
ITO warn the prefetto, SOM" said
the monk. This is a strange place,
indeed, to find one who seeks to warn
the prefetto. You must explain bet
ter than this your strange actions,
son." s8la ,a
~ know whom would meet. faith
err" replied the willy scoundrel. y
haxe seen you of late walking around
the prefetto's grounds outside the wall
| knew you were friendly to the pre-
fetto. and that might trust you. J
came to meet you, father. and through
you convey my warning to the pre-.
fetto" '-'F
"Ah, son, your zeal is to be com.
mended,' sAid the monk. Y "But tell
me, son, what is your message to the
prefetto?" W
ut is this, father. The Wills of the
prefetto ID to be attacked 1t midnight
this very night. fatherT-by the Count
di Pordino and his hired assassins and
bandits, for the purpose of securing
the signorina Barlcth and to carry her
away for his own evil purposes. 1t 10
this that I came to tell the prefetto,
father. a. III st sft
The monk seemed to be communing
with himself for moment. Then he
said: f
But how Ia Il. son. that the Count