The Lamar register., 1903-02-18
MQuDikeCk, the 0|fTQIleI.
By SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America" "ln ths
China Sea- Two Gentlemen Of
Hawaii "On a Falss
Charge" Etc.
os,yr,sh.. 1895. by ROBERT Boss..'. soza
CHAPTER vII.-(continued.)

SHAF ! EH VII.-NSontlnueo.)
mot an Italian, at all, signor Thor
lano is the Sandman way Of pronounc-
ing the English name Thorlane.
Thorlane, for some reason, found Sar-
DINA a pleasant home, and built
villa. He married a lady of Naples
"a beauty whose black eyes played
with hearts like toys. They lived in
Sardinia many years, and had son
whom they called Henry. When Ma
ligni became prefetto. five years ago,
the Signor Thorlane and his wife
were dead. and Henry Thorlane was
man full grown. He lived busy
life. was a famous hunter, and an
open enemy of the priests of the mon
astery of The Saints. Maligni had
not been ,prefetto more than year
when Henry Thorlane was accused of
conspiracy against him, and was SEN
fenced to twenty years imprison
ment. The prefetto, in the name of
the king. confiscated the estate, and
gave 1t to the Count di Pordino the
brother of Thorlane's mother, who
brought the charges of the conspiracy
against his nephew. The Count di
Pordino lives there now, and a man
might 'better fall into the hands of
Satan for an eternity than into the
hands of Pordino for a month"
"Why?"
Mutterelli shrugged his shoulders
again.
He is a bandit chief" he said.
And a friend of the prefetto?" l
asked, in surprise. docs the law
look favorably upon evil-doers in Sar-
dinia?"
No. signor. the law does not, but
some of the men of power who repre-
sent the law do. And perhaps to that
fact is due their power and their
wealth."
And Thorlane?" CO ltinued, for
had interested me. "Is he still in
PRISON."
Mutterelli shrugged his shoulders.
and a peculiar look came into his
eyes.
HE is not in prison, signor. Soon
after he was condemned he was re-
moved to lhe monastery of The
Saints. He is believed to be still
there. He may be dead, signor."
Heavens" | calculated. Can
such things be?"
"Yes, signor, in Sardinia" said Nut
terelli.
The priests had gone from our view
and we returned to the Villa di Ma
ligni.
'signor." said Mutterelli. you see
that little window opening onto the
balcony which faces the north?"
YES replied. II see it."
''That is where Nita Barlotti is con-
t., ~,
but may go out on the balcony. You
see it is high from the ground. She
cannot escape by herself. and the SER
wants are always on guard to pre-
vent it,
Then shall be watched tonight
when l try to see her?" said.
"You will be watched, but you will
not be touched" he answered. THE
servants who will see you tonight are
bribed to silence. But you must not
make a noise, for the prefetto has
armed guards near his person, and
should they hear you, all would be
LOST
From here" I said, my safest
course is to the south, and skirt Gag
liari on the east. You must make
arrangements this afternoon to have
boat waiting for me. You can join
me on the road and guide me to it,
after have gone with Nita from the
house."
"I will, signor. I even know the
boat l will hire"
The lights were shining brightly
from the windows of the house of
the prefetto when Mutterelli and l
cautiously approached. Creeping from
the carriage through a coppice, we
reached the wall which surrounded
Maligni's estate. Here we halted.
Now, signor.'' said Mutterelli.
who generated the entire proceeding,
81 will leave you here. 1t is now not
much more than half-past eight
o'clock. l must do my part, or yours
will be failure.
AT nine O'Clock, signor," he con-
tinued. the guard makes a round of
the place. You must not stir till after
that hour. Creep along in the shadoz
until you get under the balcony. You
will find there a ladder which | have
arranged for. Place it against the
balcony, but be careful and do not
make a noise. The servants on that
side will not disturb you, but if you
arouse Pacho Maligni, he will call
the guard, and you will be taken
II will be careful" replied. But
are you sure thc.t all the servants are
safe?"
"7es, signor for money, a Sardin-
ian is always SAFE"
Again promising Mutterelli to re-
member his warnings, l listened and
waited, and shiver of excitement