The Lamar register., 1903-03-18
o.,ynrss. 1895, by RoHrrr Boxx,.'. sozA
CHAPTER XI.

I'll 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. son?"
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 few words
to the guard. A servant was sum
moned. and we were led into the pres
ence 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. l am ready to listen"
your excellency," said the monk,
sit is my good fortune that l have
become possessed of important knowl-
edge that concerns your safety and
that of the fair Signorina Barlotti, who
is under your roof"
The prefetto started.
THAT cursed Americana" he said.
mo. This time it 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 signorina for his
own"
'Sacre!" exclaimed the prefetto.
turning pale and looking at Dambo
and me with staring eyes. rs this
true? Have l friend SO false? His
name! His name! l demand his
namei"
SLOW. your excellency. Do not be
come excited" said the monk calmly.
1T is the Count di Pordino who thus
plots against you"
"Pordino? impossible! He was
here to-day. and drank wine with me.
and We spoke of his approaching mar
riage to the ward of my poor brother.
He! Is he SO bad as that? Let him
enter here and my own hand shall
slay him!"
And as the enraged prefetto uttered
his threat against the count thought
of the words carved in the wall of the
cell in the Tore dell Elefante and in
the marble Of the grotto. Henry Thor
lane. l will avenge."
The prefetto called the officer of
the guard and told him the facts. The
count was expected about midnight.
anu it was nearly that now.
Remember" said the prefetto. as
his captain was leaving. Kill all the
others, but leave the count to mel"
The bells of the monastery were
ringing the hour of midnight, and the
darkness of a cloudy night was over
,bor ybN ctr in,
waiting attitude on the front porch of
the prefetto's villa, were startled by
a yell that came from a coppice to the
right. A shot was fired. evidently by
one of the prefetto's guards, and the
nash of his rife lighted up the grounds
for an instant. And in that instant
we saw the forms OF men running to-
ward the villa.
suddenly some one placed lights in
the windows of the villa. which threw
a glare out into the night, and by this
light the guards of the prefetto saw
the attacking party. and formed to
meet them.
The villa became the scene of inde-
scribable excitement and activity. The
screams of frightened women, the
servants of the household, pierced the
air, and rang out in unison with the
boarse shouts of the soldiers and the
cries of the attacking party.
The leader of the attacking crowd
was but thinly disguised. The Count
di Pordino was a tall man, and bore
himself with a carriage that was too
marked in character to be easily over
booked. He was not wounded in the
charge, and in the glare of the lights
In the windows he could be seen urg-
ing his men on.
The prefetto, with muttered curse.
sprang forward. evidently to meet the
count face to face. AS he leaped from
the porch, the Jesuit slid after him. l
was about to follow, when l missed
Dambo, who had been standing be-
hind me. rush of fear came over
me. Dambo had had another purpose
in coming to the villa than to warn
the prefetto. He had before attempt
ed Nita Barlotti's life-he would do it
again.
Dropping my peddler's pack bound
ed through the halls and up the stairs
toward Nita's room.
In the excitement the door Of Bar
lotti's room had been opened. l reach
ed the upper hall just in time to see
Dambo knife in hand, enter her door.
Then scream, in a voice which |
recognized as Nita's, told me the vii
lain was at his work. Painting, l
plunged on, and reached the room. to
see Dambo, with knife upraised in
his right hand, while his left clutched
the frightened girl by the throat.
Raising my club, l uttered prayer
for muscular strength. 1t must have