The Holly chieftain., 1903-02-13

] OV uuuetBLAuU, 0lkuOT.
"You will visit the villa in Disguise;
and carry out your plans-and mine
under Maligni's own roof"
That is 1t. signor."
grasped his hand.
You are true friend. Mutterelli."
| said. 1T is gratifying to md man
30 ready to assist who is willing to
face the'danger, and also able to plan
the AFFAIR. thank you" .t
Mutterelli laughed.
You have yourself. named. the
price. signor." he said.
rs there anything to be done to-
day!" asked. Il ought. perhaps. to
take . look at the place and get my
bearings in daylight"
True, siGnor. have arranged. We
will start at noon"
After dinner We stepped out on the
piazza. A closed carriage. drawn
by two smal. but sturdy Spanish
horses, stood at the curb.
Come" Eaid Mutterelli; 1T Is
ours" M
He spoke .. few words to the driver.
and opened the door for me TO enter.
stepped inside. He slammed the
door. taking seat beside me, and
the carriage ratified away, -
After an hour OF smooth rolling on q
sardinian stone road. we came to q
halt before q 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 flight of stairs to a room
In the rear. Taking key from his
pocket, he unlocked the door. Inside
was collection of garments-part Of
hunting garbs-uniforms, grotesque
jackets, trousers, leggings. Two guns.
stood against the wall.
What the deuce is; all this, Mutter-
elli?" l asked In surprise.
ut is part Of our plan, signor. You
wish to view the country near Ma
ligni's country villa. II you went
there as you are now. you would att
tract attention. On the road past
Maligni's many moufon hunters pass,
We are now mounon hunters. Do you
understand, signor?"
| II begin to-" / said.
Mutterelli smiled, and began at once
to change his clothing for some Of the.
| picturesque Sardinian garments that
he had provided. followed suit.
When had finished was clad from
my feet to my thighs in leather leg
gings. A red and black velvet jacket
fitted over my shoulders and waist.
A more or less faded and dirty sash
went around my waist over the Jacket
A three-cornered hat, with small
plume in 1t, replaced my own com.
Portable tourist cap. Mutterelli was
| attired In similar fashion.
Mutterelli took up the two guns and
handed one to me-
But where is the ammunition /
asked. ~.
we don't need any ammunition" :"
replied Mutterelli. These Guns, are
only for show. to make us look like
other people who will pass. Come,
our horses are waiting"
At the door we found two horses
saddled, and Mutterelli mounted one.
leaving the better looking one OF the
two for me.
Leaving the inn, we rode out Into
the smooth road and started toward
the north. In 4 short time we came
to>a fine villa surrounded by q high
wall Of rock, the gate Of which was
q splendid work of massive masonry.
There were signs OF activity about
the place. Workmen hurried here and
there. Two priests, clad in somber
garments that completely enveloped
them, walked slowly from the house
toward the gate, their shaved heads
under their broad hats bobbing and
noddipg' a. they coEyersed.
MuttereIli gave me q few minutes
In which to drink In the beauties of
Sardinian nature.
That IL Malisni's Wills, sisnor," he
said, pointing to the fne estate had
noticed.
"Ah!" replied. Then that ID
where the Snowman has Nita Bar.
lotti In conceaiment?'
!; That is the place. signor. Let us
move on q little.. lest those priests
see US and remember our faces. I |
am not sardiniap, signor. There
are priests in sardinia who are good |
and holy msp: there are Others"
He said tbs with shrug of his |
shoulders thaas sssry expressive.
This is nnat Estate in the val. |
ley" Said. poihftnk to Il villa and |