The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-11

the Grand Master became, until he came
10 the conclusion that Orsini had surely
resumed his clandestine meetings with
the niece.
It was now no longer a question OF op-
portunity with Macheca- for he was
Weighing In his mind whether such bold
ness and insult would not be httingly re-
paid by pouncing on Orsini and his man
and lodging a few inches OF steel through
their ribs, thus Fastening the catastrophe
OF the already too long adventure. And
Macheca was actually clutching long
dagger In his hand and had gathered his
muscles for a rush when just then Orsini
etopped in front OF the uninhabited house
and slyIy crept In. leaving on the street
his salesman. who turning on his heels.
quickly disappeared.
"ohi The schemer." Mecheca thought.
"that is the way you fool the Grand Mas
ter OF the Mafa7 You shall rue H."
The lights in Gabriellas rooms and the
shadows outlined on the window cur
tains, Of the girls moving 20 and fro. to-
tally convinced Macheca that a meeting
was about 20 take place. and he glided
along swiftly and stealthiy 10 the spot
where the lovers used 10 meet before
Monasterio had informed him OF II, In
tending 10 lay IN wait for them.
There the uncle stood, with a savage
countenance. his knife ready for action.
his thoughts all concentrated on the
speediest and most noiseless way OF dis
patching 10 the devil the lover when
he came 20 meet the girl; but now the
nearest public clock, which had sounded
Just as Orsini disappeared. again struck
the half-ho thirty minutes. long az the
eternity. had elapsed and no one was
approaching.
II was about midnight and Macheca.
weary OF the suspense, went out again 70
the street and looked at the uninhsbited
house. No sound whatever came from
there. Everything was quiet within.
Where had Orsini gone? What was he
doing? Macheca could not understand
Death" ne exclaimed suddenly in
loud voice and. rushing 20 his own front
door. opened II quickly and sprang up
the stairs A few seconds later no was
at Gabriellas door
Macheca had seen not only two but
three shadows moving hither and thither
on the window curtains. and the idea
flashed into his mind that Orsini was the
third one.
A heavy blow with clenched nst sounded
on the door and the coarse angry voice
Of the uncle was heard:
'Gabriela. Margaret. open the door
quick or I'll break it in"
A barely stined cry rang but from
within TO which a "sh" instantly fol-
lowed. ana AT the same Time the nolse Vi
the cooking OF a revolver was heard be-
hind the door.
II was Gabriella's cry and Orsinfs
means OF precaution. but Margaret I'M
posing silence upon the former. dragged
the latter from his position. and In a few
seconds all three. under the maids direc-
tion. had toppled over all the furniture
against the door-sofa, chairs, tables,
bureau, helter-skelter and on top Of all
tAA ~ Nntl
followed low, hurried conversation, a
splutter and the sound Of footsteps. as
OF people huddled together and moving
about in haste.
Macheca, after repeating the order TO
open. hammered the door with the hilt Of
his dagger and on surmising that fur
niture was being heaped against II, began
10 force the door. fiingtng his weight
against It. Each time the crashing grew
louder. the planks shrieked on the hinges.
the lock was wrenched from the frame; j;
but Macheca spent a comparatively hong
time before he succeeded In dashing into
the room, dagger In hand and frothing
at the mouth.
A thick darkness, a sepuichral lull was
reigning in there. He struck a match.
lighted the gas. and looked around. No
one was In the room
Where can they have gone?' ne NUT
tered.
He went TO the window and looked
| down on the street below. Just at that
| instant he caught sight OF three persons
| coming out OF the vacant house Macheca
remained pondering for a few seconds.
! He looked down the street again. and
when he saw the direction they had
| taken, which he thought was that OF
/ Orsini's residence, he exclaimed:
II will tackle them, just the same:
| $hara a rls,pty cF tfrne
While going out OF the room he spied
| a letter on the carpet He grabbed II
and read the address. ''Mr. Joseph
| Macheca."
| Unfolding II he read:
| "Cncle,-I know everything about you,
having personally attended the last meet
| ing at the Ola Trtnakria, Dreading to live
] under the same roof with a vampire.
seek refuge somewhere else; bur I carry
with me a written report concerning the
Mana, over which you preside. which re-
| port consists az many pages and is very
comprehensive: and I warn YOU once for
| all. that at the slightest move on your
part 10 kill the man I love. I Shall place
my manuscript in the hands OF the po-
| lice.
"GABRIELLA."
CTo be Continued)