The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-12
MYSTERIES OF THE NIGHT
EDG AR KERING

year ago was In danger and all his long,
cherished anger seemed suddenly TO vanish
Lucius and he had loved each other once.
and the old affection came surging over
him again in some strange. confusing way.
Tito has drawn the lot TO kill my
brother, Teresaino." ne said. II don't un-
derstand why Lucius has made himself OBJ
noxious TO one of the bloodthirsty Williams.
to one of the men with whom I've been mad
enough to associate" Then he thought for
an instant.
And Tito will perform the task given
him. Do not know him? he talks to me OF
love-he. That i should marry him, Yes,
he will kill your brother"
AS she said this. a man slouched heavily
by them. and Neville caught sight OF a
dark face and black beard as the fellow
hesitated for a moment.
Wen get out the light. Teresaino. It's
little more dangerous than the dark
sometimes. That was Tito himself who
passed just now" and a quick throb OF
dread came to the girls heart as ne spoke.
Listen" she said. rapidly. az overheard
the plan for this crime-it was signor
Varliano who spoke then. IL Is to be to-
night that this murder will be done. The
'Yes. my brothers house is In Cleveland
Place. and he'll be going home about mild
night" replied Neville. I'VE haven't spok-
en- to each other for a year. but we must
tonight. / will warn him OF the plot.
Good heavans, there's protection enough to
be had in London. would think, for .
man whose life's threatened"
Beware OF Tito" answered Teresaino.
IL oh
own life may be In danger"
by Jove," exclaimed Neville, his life
will be In danger IL I meet him tonight
And now good-by. Teresaino. milo. You
shall be rewarded for the service you've
done me. I will come to the restaurant to-
| morrow"
Where are you going?'
ITO watch for my brother. and TO protect
| him IL needed"
''Neviller' and her little hands were
clasped on his arm. IF harm comes to you
| L" and he saw the lustrous eyes dimmed
| with tears as the girl looked up In his face
Would II grieve your" he asked gravely,
as she suddenly paused. Her look was q
| revelation.
Would you care II my heart were breaks
ing?" she answered. "I shall think of you
to-night-only of you. Swear that you viii
come back to me. You speak Of my re-
ward-I only ask to see you again."
He bent down kissing the lips that had
quivered with emotion as she spoke. and he
felt pity for her such as he had never felt
for a human soul before, but he had all an
| Englishman's dislike of a scene.
"You will see me again, Teresaino." ne
said CURLY. but don't hinder me now. 7
am quite able to take care OF myself. Good
night" and he walked swiftly away. fol-
lowed by her yearning gaze
4
| Cleveland Place at the best OF times II
| dull and quiet. At the worst Of times, such
! as when Neville Holland entered IL. Cleve-
land Place was a bowling wilderness, de-
spite its aristocratic mansions and wealth.
| The night was black, and an icy blast drove
| the sleety rain In his face as he walked
| along. slowly, keeping a keen lookout for
his brother, and thinking of the meeting
between them He knew Lucius's habits.
| and that he would almost certainly be com-
| ing home at midnight. There was half an
hour TO wait. and Neville stopped. drawing
| himself into the protection from the weath-
er offered by the massive pillar of a por-
/ tico. From there he could see along the
street through which he had just passed.
| and for some moments he was alone.
Then he saw figure coming stealthiiy
towards him. its face hidden by slouched
hat and upturned collar. and he drew back
a pace. watching the figure keenly. The
| next moment it had disappeared I'm the
deep shadows Of a house not dozen yards
| from where Neville was standing. and
Cleveland Place slept on, undisturbed by
the bowling wind and driving rain blasts.
And thus the two men waited. There
was a thought in Neville's fast-coming
| calculations to step out and end the sus-
| pense-to know what manner Of man this
was skulking in the shadows. and then
| he stayed his foot, for the certainty
flashed into his mind that Tito Farini
stood there, and the deadly purpose OF the
man sent a thrill through every nerve In
| his body.
| Some one was coming along the deserted
street. walking briskiy. and he recognized
his brother in the light OF one OF the lamps.
Another moment and Lucius would be az
the spot where. hidden by the shadow.
lurked his murderer. and Neville ran for
| ward.
| AS he did so Tito emerged from his
| hiding place, and there was the fash of
| something hid in his appraised hand he
4 crept softly on MS Victim. another mo-
ment and the glttering blade would have
been buried deep down between Lucius
| Hollands shoulders, and Neville struck
| out with all the weight Of his body straight
| for the murderous eyes, and missed. Tito
| had moved his head aside, and the next In
slant the two men were locked in a conflict
for life or death.
For a moment Neville had the mastery,
and then his foot caught against stone
| and he fell Tito's knee was on his an
| tagonist's breast-the flashing dagger was
| uplifted, but as Il fell woman thrust her
self between the deadly blade and the
PROSTATE man-there was the dull sound
of blow. a gasping little moan. and
Neville had sprung TO his feet TO see Tito
Farini speeding from the spot and Lucius
kneeling beside the body Of the woman.
MY G-d-Teresainol'' and Neville gave
a grief-stricken cry Of horror. 1.-THE william
has stabbed her. Get help. Lucius-why
are you staring at me-Get help. for G-ds
| sake"
He and Teresaino were alone, and Neville
was stanchng the quickly flowing blood
| that came from her breast.
LET me lean my head against your
| knee" The words came very family. and