Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-01-05
cs,y,ish, 1901 BY
I. Fitzgerald h>il.y

This man, Mezza has probably beer
guilty of a terrible crime, and to
shield him from justice by concealine
what may be known is n serious Of
fence in the eye of the law. You un-
uerstand?"
"Oh, yes, 1 understand" answered
Carlo nodding his head carelessly.
Therefore, If you know anything OF
him, it's your duty to tell me-"
II know nothing Carlo said sulkily
"He was never a friend of mine.
never liked him. That is all | have to
say"
'.IIe was a devil" Carlos wife added
but there Angela, she would marry
him, because she was Il fool"
you have said that a thousand
times" Angela said gloomily.
And will say it again-it's true!
it's true!"
stop! stop" Carlo cried out in a
voice of authority.
Mackworth, who had listened eager
ly, hoping an argument might produce
some statement he could build upon,
now asked: >.
Did You not hear from any of your
countlymen that MeZZa was in Lon
dom"
NO Carlo replied.
I'VE were not likely" added the wife
quickly.
How is that Mackworth inquired.
We are Tuscans," She said proudly,
land as you might eNpect-well he is
a Neapolitan, and would. if he came
here. stay with the people of his own
country"
but you are his country people, re-
marked the Inspector.
I'VE are not Neapolitans," replied
Carlo. we do not consider them our
people We do not mix With them
not WEI"
Then If Mezza was in London last
July he would stay with the Neapoli-
ta:.s?" suggested Mackworth.
II think so"
Have they special colony of their
own in London?'
You will find them here hi Saffron
Hill; more may be in Hammersmth."
Now tell me- said the inspector
conciliatingly. ''if you know of any one
i'm particular with whom he was likely
to stay in London?'
Husband and wife looked at each
other interrogativcly.
There is Pietro, the model" an
swered Angela. "Mezza used to live
with him when they were in Paris, and
Pietro is now in London; I saw him
the other day"
Yes" said Carlo assentingly. there
is Pietro."
They were friendso" Mackworth
asked
Yes; OH, yes, they We're worthy OF
each other responded Carlos wife.
'Pietro is sure TO know if Mezza was
In London Said Carlo with the air of
u man who has Il responsibility re-
moved from him, and he walked up
and down a limited space, always
fronting his audience.
And where does this Pietro live? 2"
Somewhere in Hammcrsmith"
You don't know the street,"
NO, but any one there will tell YOU"
answered Carols wife, for he is we'll
known; all the great artists i'm London
employ him since he came here. He is
a handsome man"
He had to leave Paris, added Carlo
somewhat spitefully
.Why?"
"He is a scoundrel."
Did we not say he was Neapoli-
tan? They are al alike; bad lot,
ever ready with the knife" remarked
Marguerita.
Did he" began Mackworth.
We know nothing of him" hurriedly
replied Carlo, forgetting what be had
already said
oh, no, nothing a. ala assented
Carlos wife, the tone of her voice con-
tradictlng her words.
u must find this man. Mack worth
said.
But you don't say how we told you
of him. Carlo requested
we like to live in peace" answered
his wife, as she once more set the
frying pan on the fire.
Mackworth deliberately advanced to
where she stood and asked her:
is it your desire for peace which
prevents Your telling me about Mezza %
No. she reioined quickly, he eyes
flashing with excitement. How can
] tell you of him if know nothing
nothing at alp
And that is true echoed Carlo.
we know nothing at ALL"
If they had any knowledge of Mczzas
extract it was impossible, therefore he
turned to depart.
II may call again, and very soon"
he said as he reached the door.
Whenever you please, signor," re-
piled Carlo politely.
4 shall be anxious to hear what
YOU have learned" said AgenaI
And l will let you know" answered
the inspector. AS he descended the
stairs he could hear Carlos voice
raised in a loud and excited tone, volu-
lily talking in his own language An
CELIA answering with equal ardor and in
Il higher voice until the violent Slam
ming OF a door was heard, when Mack :
worth supposed MeZza's sister in law
To have retreated to her own room.
81 wonder il they are keeping anv-
tliing from me- the inspector reflected
as he went away.
Halt an hour later he had reached
lia,,hinersmlth. and with the aid of q
pollceman had found the district fire.
aueited by ita!lans Further inquiries
from lazy looking, handsome youth.
lounsins against the portal of door
Way, led Mackworth TO house. on
me thlrd story OF which he Was as
sured ne would find Pietro, the model.
ne came back one hour ago; You