The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-06-03
L-(Continued).

To any sicilian going to Now Orleans
at that time. any delay in enrolling n
the society was considered in the ligh
or temporary dispensauon and never
as deprivation, and so Scaffoldi hat
very few difficulties to overcome in find.
him and made him acquainted with some
OF the leaders OF the society.
And now that Scanoldi, after so many
years OF searching. thought that he had
obtained all he needed, and that ne was
very near the goal toward which he had
been toilng for countless days and
nights. round himself placed in a very
discouraging and dismal condition. with
even his own life hanging by hair. as
be began 10 suspect his artince IN as
suning false name had been discov-
cred and the promised admission into
the society was TO result I'm a hoax, a
clap-trap, 10 deooy him to a mysterious
death.
That idea was like an auger running
through his heart from end 10 end not
for fear OF HIS life which he had long
ago devoted 10 his vengeance and with
no thought OF preserving IL upon any
other terms but for leaving unrevenged
wan face was always present TO his
mind. as when yet child. at tne bed
side OF that dying brother. he made
solemn oath TO travel the world over II
necessary. TO hound the murderer to tho
last ditch, TO drag him from the remotest
Kill him. All this was present to Scat
foldi in his reminiscent mood and re-
mained, marked with letters OF blood, IN
his memory; and only the blood OF his
enemy could eradicate IL.
And now Scaffoldi was musing: lis this
a ruse to enable my nercest enemy my
brothers slayer, 10 kill me too? Has he
a finger. in this7 Have 1 fallen into a
trap and at his mercy?"
In the dreary silence OF the cave, Scaf-
foldi, lying helpless and deeply bemoan-
ing his fate. felt a warm drop on his
hand. before he realized that his eyes
were misty.
To divert his mind from such exciting
and pitiful recollections. Scaffoldi turned
his thoughts in another direction and
tried to concentrate his reflections and
on the last words OF the de-
tectlve Dean, and here Scaholdi had an
other mute monologue within himself:
Has Dean any other interest In the mat
ter than that OF a hired helper? Was he
acting only half openly? And If so, what
might be his aim?
or one thing however. Scaffoldi was
certain. namely that the detective was
hostile TO Hennessey, the Chief OF Po-
most relieved, for II he succeeded in get
ting out OF the trap he was now in, he
feared no nledding, in his enterprise.
from the police.
The proceedings Of Dean lately and his
way OF talking OF Hennessey seemed 10
Scafoldi rather queer But now some
thing was to happen which would give
him no time TO work out that conundrum.
for the chance OF a crucial test OF his
courage was TO prove almost too much
for him. 1
or sudden scaroldi heard Kind Of
scrambling sound; then distinct shak-
Ing Of stones was followed by a terrific
roar. very near TO him.
The next instant n light glimmered In
the darkness from a hole I'm the cavern,
unheeded before, and from the same
opening. which seemed like a small afr
shaft. a tawny beast sprang forth, with
jaws wide open and fierce gaze.
At the first glance. the man retraated
TO one end of the gloomy cave, having
his eyes fixed upon the animal His heart
began TO thump furiously, he felt his
throat parched, but he did not shrink
from the peril.
He was at a loss TO explain his awful
Had that wild beast es-
caped from some menagerie, or had II
been unleashed purposely TO devour him.
ihus averting whatever responsibility
might fan 70 others for his death?
be the right one. he resigned himself to
light for his hfe to the bitter end, and
80 with that bit of forced logic, Scaffoldi
cautiously thrust one hand into his
pocket, drew out and opened a long, keen,
cleaning clasp-knife. AS the blade gilt
.ered. IL seemed to him that the tiger
slowly advanced. uttering another terrific
'eGr.
1t appeared also that the beast was
A.. -. a.
he fore paws, squatting, gathering her
muscles, swishing her tail with a move
nent like a clocks pendulum, and watch
ng an opportunity for a leap.
The tiger was coming closer and the
nan could not retreat further. Tightly
cushing his shoulder to tho inner part
,f- -ths-esra, and wrapping his coat about
lis arm, he extended IL horizontally be-
ore him hlSe a shield.
Kneedng on the right leg. the other
vent vertically forward, his right hand
the knife, he awaited the flsht
or life.
Unexpectedly the wall against which he
eaned moved outward. and Scanfoldi
umbled backwards with sickening
hud.
F>triousiy ana steadily gripping the !
.nife. quick as thought scaffoldi leapcd |
o his feed. lest the tiger should pounce I
pom hiul. but ne cOuld no longer see the /
iger there; neither did The place itself /
Dok tfe sarne 10 him, but ipstead OF a |
east, three sturdy men dashed at him,
rasping at his neck and arms
Speedily the sssaflsnts disar1ned Scat
oidi and began 10 try to lash his arms
nd hay him down.
The artounticd man, taken unawares
nd utterly bcwfidered, could not ar once
fer much resfstance agsinst such odds.
He was, however, a man OF wit and
tFensth and ss soon as he realised the
ew condition OF the affair. he aid not
,ss time. With a deft wrigyie OF his body
0 wrenched htmseif free from the
utches OF the trio, and then lively tus-
q began.
Vigor aud cunning, nimbleness and
bodness were srnnloyed hy theore against
" other three and Hoe vprsa, without
ny apparent sdyantsge to any OF the
Unborn fighters.
Finally, thick heavy burlsp was
'rown over Scafrofdrs head and pulled
Jwn over his face and body like hood,
"a he could no longer sec.
When aceffoldi succeeded in getting rid