Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-02-13
CHAPTER VII.


That evening Muttcrelii was miss.
ing. He had quietly informed me
that he would be gone all night. ard
intimated that he might have some
thing to teal me In the morning. did
not like the new aspect OF affairs
siacc had learned that Maiisni's
brother was the prcfetto. But I was
not dauntcd. had come so far. and
nothing would deter me from pushing
my plans to n successful termination
or utter defeat.
With this determination I went TO
bed.
In the morning had my breakfast.
aad. stroiiIng out on the broad piazza.
met Mutt.rciiI coming up the steps.
''Ah. sigror. good morning." he said.
smiling.
Good morning. MuttcrciiI." I re-
turned. Did you enjoy pleasant
evening""
lie looked at me In significant
way. and led me to far corner OF the
piazza. where. In the sccltision af.
fordcd by huge pillars and matted
vines. We could talk without molcs.
ta;ion.
Il spent very pleasant evening.
EiEnor." he said. his voice low and
full OF meaning. Il have learned
something"
And what have you icarEcd7" !
asked. eager for news OF any kind.
"Pacho Maiisni is now In his broth.
cr's house-thc guest OF the prcfctto.
Nita Barlotti Is there also. and Is. to
great extent. kept n prisoner"
"of course. I could have told you
that" answered. He would not
give her n chance to escape"
And preparations are being made
at the villa for n great event. signor."
raid Muttcrcili.
'hh. What is IT,"
Tomorrow the wedding OF Nitn
Barlotti and Pacho Malignl Is to take
place
ITO morrow
Tomorrow. The cloBcncss OF the
time Is evident In the great pleasure
to bc seen In Maligni'S face. and the
great sorrow to be seen In Sita Bar.
Iotti's. She does no. love him. sig.
ror''
II ovc him. No. she loathcE. hates
and fears him. But this wedding
must rot he allowed TO take place.
Muttcrciii."
My guide shrugged his shoulders.
How will you prevent 1t. signor.
II is In the prcfctto's house"
"Prcictto or no prcfctto. that wed.
ding shall never take place. must
see Nita today"
Tonight. have arranged
You know tho ground. Could II
he made possible for Nita to escape
and TO accompany us away from the
grounds?"
Yes. sigror - accompany you.
While you are talking TO the slgno.
rina will not be seen hy you. I will
not be Muttcrclli. your guide. then.
You understand. signor7"
You will visit the villa in disguise.
and carry OH. your plans-and mine
under Maligri's own rocf!"
That is II. signor."
grasped his hand.
you are true friend. Muttcrclii."
said. 1T is gratifying to find man
so ready to assist who is willing to
face the danger, and also able to plan
the @Tair. thank you"
Muttcrelli laughed.
"You have yourself named the
price. signor." he said.
"Is there anything to he done to-
tay?" I asked. II ought. perhaps. to
take look at the place and get my
bearings In daylight"
True. signor have arranged. We
will start at nocn."
After dinncr we stepped out on the
piazza. a closed carriage. drawn
by two smal, but sturdy Spanish
horses. stood at the curb.
Come" iaid Muttcrclli: at IL
ours"
He spoke n few words to the driver,
and opened the door for me TO enter.
stepped inside. He slammed the
| door. taking a seat beside me. and
| the carriage ratt,cd away.
After an hour of smooth rolling on n
Sardinian stone road. We came to a
halt before small white inn almost
| concealed among the trees.
Come. signor," said Mutterelli.
stepping from the carriage,
followed him into the inn. and he
led me up a flight of stairs to room
| In the rear Taking n key from his
pocket. he unlocked the door. Inside
was a collection of garments-part of
hun ting Earbs-uniforms. grotesque
jackets. trousers. leggings. Two guns
stood against the wall.
What the deuce is all this, Mutter.
c,li?" asked in surprise.
1T is part of our pan, signor. You
wish to viow the country near Ma.
ligni's country villa. If you went
there as you are now. you would at.
tract attention. On the road past
Maligri's mary mouflon hunters pass.
We are row mouflon hunters. Do you
understand. slgror?"
81 begin to- | said.
Mutterelli smiled. ard began at once
to change his clothing for some Of the
picturesque Sandman garments that