The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-04
CHAPTER XIX.
The Man Without a Country.

Just as Dick Knight was wondering
whether it would be possible for man
with bruised ribs and only one available
arm to get over a gate seven feet high
the eyes came again to the grille MY
master will see you signor." the Italian
woman said. Dick heard the gate un-
locked. and in another moment he was
walking through -
It was now so dark that he could make
out very little of his surroundings. But
he went into the house by the way Eve
had gone two days ago.. crossed the
melancholy garden with its neglected
fountain and it's paths Of colored mosaic,
and was shown into room furnished
partially in oriental, partially in gaudy,
tasteless European style such as eastern
houses often affect. From the ceiling
hung an ugly. old-fashoned chandelier
with dangling girandoles that sent out
prismatic ray or two in the light of the
half dozen candles which had evidently
just been lit. Round the walls divans,
and there was a stiff European chair or
two, but Dick did not sit down. He
stood waiting for the master" of whom
the servant had spoken, and he was not
kept long in suspense. The newly
lighted candles had but just begun to
brighten when a tall and handsome young
man came into the room. His appear
ance was a surprise to Dick. who had
somehow expected to see person of at
least middle age; and he seemed to share
the same emotion at sight of his visitor.
Stopping abruptly. NOT far from the door,
his black brows craving together In
frown he exclaimed in Italian: But,
sir. you are not the Marchese Contar-
ini!"
"Ah, you know the marchese, then!' re-
marked Dick, cooly.
The man did not deign to answer this
question.
you are English" he calculated.
my name is Richard knight said
Dick. But it happened to be more con-
venient to send the marchese's card.
thought it might appeal to YOU 1t would
have been a pity if. for some mere
prejudice Of nationality, you had refused
to see one who has very important news
to give you of lady-your mother, un-
less your features are strangely deceiv-
ing" .... --.
What do you know Of my mother?'
demanded the young man. -
THAT she should be spoken of as the
Duchess di Ravello; that you are called
the Prince Stefano di Dorrebianca; and
a number of other things which it must
be an object to you to keep back from
the general public =.
Sir" exclaimed the young man in
English. you are insulting. | have no
cause to be ashamed of my name; rather
the contrary. We have not, it is true,
advertised ourselves here; but that is be-
my mothers health
1T is not your name that l suggest
you should be ashamed Of broke in
Dick ssYour shame should lie in soilng
an old and noble name with an appalling
crime MY honor is my life. That. I
know is the motto of your family How
have you and yours lived up to it?' ...
II think you must be a madman.' said
the other suddenly become very pale,
with the yellow, waxen pallor Of very
dark skins. What has brought you to
this house?'
piled Dick. quietly lit was through the
death of the old bell dancer upon whom
you to-day tried one of your mothers
famous family posons, with the view OF
preventing him from telling what he knew
about Miss Eve Markham.
With an exclamation of rage Stefano d
Dorrebianca sprang at the Englishmar
who stood so calmly uttering insults. Dick
did not look formidable opponent. but
with his left hand he whipped a revolver
from inside his gray tweed coat. and with
an ominous click of the trigger covered the
others heart, The way in which the
Italian checked his own furious onslaught
would have been almost comic if Dick haC
been in a mood for laughter. But he was
In no such mood; and, changing his slow
quiet tone to ore sharp and grimly in
cisive. he said: ~
Not q step further, or L fire. Hands
down. too, my friend. and keep YOU
mouth shut, if you are wise, till I tel
YOU to open it. unless you want to be a.
dead as those whom your father and m.