The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-06-15
BY ALFONSO CELIA, of Providence
II Continued.

III Continued.
Every drop OF Monasterio's blood was
pulsing wildly at that moment, his hair
was fairly on end, while he. half stunned.
was being carried away like an sutomaton.
The unknown man. with steady grip
on Monasterio's collar, was working his
way along with great swiftness. half lead
Ing, half carrying the captive who. power
ful as he was. looked like a playthlng in
the grasp Of the others iron hands.
The farther they went the more Monas-
terio became terrified and for some min
utes he could not regain his self f-possesson
at this unexpected development
! Then he began 10 look at the situation
earnestly Above all. through all and in
all he must know who the man was who
had such an iron grip on Mona sterio
was muslng
II Macheca then there was no hone
for Monasterio and he might consider his
life not worth a rush He knew from
! experience how unrnercifully the grand
master treated his enemies And indeed
he began 10 dspel all doubt as 10 whose
/
| noticed his captors speed and knowledge
OF the place winding through the house.
climbing the stairs 10 the attic and finally
stopping AT the foot OF the step ladder
leading 10 the roof. Who else could n
be hut Macheca7
But where was he TO be taken? His
anxiety was. however soon relieved. as by
the faint twilight pouring from the sky
light he recognized his captor
In Alfrad Orafpf u,Lo
Monasterio's eyes, stl with one hand on
the latter's neck and I'm the other hand
long. cleaning knife Each stared al
the other In amazement but not a word
was uttered.
Since II was not possible for both N
mount the ladder at tho same time. AL
fredo relaxed his grip and told Monasterio
10 climb first The knife spoke for itself
In silent but persuading tones which al
lowed of no opposing argument: and
Monasterio obeyed without any fuss what
ever. and quickly went through the sky
light
once in the open. they FASTENED TO the
dizzy| ridge OF the housetop adjoining
Macheca's and passed over 10 another
skylght, which was open and through
which they glided and disappeared. Or /
sini always In the rear and still armed 4
with the knife.
The descent into this house was made
by another step-iad1er. which had ap- T
parently been placed under the roof be- /
torehand. The two men stopped a mo- /
ment in the attic and then descended to
the floor below
Then for the FIRST time Alfredo broke |
the silence, saying. sarcastically:
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Monasterio. ~
az your first coming 70 my house. ! have /
not chair 10 offer YOU neither can in /
troduce YOU to my folks"
Indeed. Mr. Orsini see that the house 1
Is quite deserted and by the smell of
mustiness. rather Judge that II has been |
untenanted for long period"
For the purpose for which this house I
is destined from this instant. should say
that II is more comfortable than you may |
expect"
And what is that purpose. II I may |
ask7"
ut r. that from this house. but one Of
rs If either. shall emerge So you see
plainly that for a provisory tomb this is |
In fair competition with the greatly
praised cemeteries of the city"
Monasterio. who At the beginning had |
thought II convenient 10 initiate Orsini
answering with kind OF bitter gihe and 1
taunt and striving not to appear very
much affected hy the situation did not /
now relish the prospect Of killing or Of be-
ing killed. with much IN favor OF the lat
ter alternative. Judging from Orsini's I
athletic build and determined appearance.
After racking his brain for wav out OF |
this dilemma, II seemed as III he had GER
taiuy found n. for he al once assumed a
naughty attitude and frownng stalked
toward Orsni
Slowly and maiestically raising his left
hand. he put his forennger vertically 10
his closed lips while with the right hand,
he put the Grand Masters seal ring un-
der Orsini's eyes.
on beholding that countersign Orsini's
face AT first heightened. then he paled and
shiveres and finally, entranced and mo-
tionless he became rooted to the spot as
~ struck by a thunderbolt
A short silence followed. and Monasterlo
then availing himself OF his power on the |
hewildered man. blurted
II command you to put me nllt OF here
at once, and at the proper time / shall
have TO call you to account for your rash
ness"
The meaning OF that countersign was
too familiar 10 every son. who knew that
it belonged exclusively to the Grand Mas
ter and that whatever might be the man
date following It's revealing, it must be
complied with Immediately, under penalty
OF death.
To Alfredo's paralized brain all these
thoughts came not as the ordinary out
come OF cool reasoning or ponderable in
ference, but his tremendous plight was
instantly impressed on his mind as a
photographed image on the silvered back
OF the plate Of a camera.
His perception became dulled, his mem
ory was taken away and his mind made
a blank. deprived him OF both speech and
action.
1t seemed that all his faculties were at