The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-07-02
CONTINUED FROM LAST SUNDAY
G h a p ( er TX
Id MISSING FINGER.

tSAScE1s Marco had ridden to a neigh
- boring farm house and procUr
ed bandages and some olive oil. and
-h1ggot. who proudly informed me he
had once been a surgeon, had --eatly
dressed and bandaged my burns
These now bothered me less than the
Iameness resulting from my fall: but
drank glass of wine and then lay
quietly upon the cot until the arrival
of the train. when my companions
aroused me and assisted me aboard.
made the journey comfortably
enough, and felt greatly refreshed after
partaking of a substantial luncheon
brought from an eating house by the
thoughtful Figgot.
On our arrival at Rio we were met by
a little. thin-faced man who thrust us
all three into a cab and himself Joined
us as we began to rattle along the laby-
rinth OF streets. He was plainly dressed
I'm black. quiet and unobtrusive In man
ner, and had iron-gray hair and beard.
both closely cropped. 1 saw at once ne
was not Brazilian. and made up my
mind he was the man called Mazano-
witch by Paola and my companions. If
so. he was the person now in charge Of
our quest for the ring, and with this
idea I examined his face with interest.
This was not difficult. for the man sat
opposite me with lowered eyelids and
a look of perfect repose upon his thin
features He might have been fifty or
sixty years of age; but there was no
guide in determining this except his
gray hairs. for his face bore no lines
OF any sort and his complexion. al
though Of paIlid hue was not unhealthy
In appearance.
It surprised me that neither he nor
my companions asked any questions
Perhaps the kilograms had explained
all that was necessary. Anyway, an alb
sOlute silence reigned in the carriage
during our brief drive.
When we came to a stop the little
man opened the door We all alighted
and followed him into a gloomy stone
building. Through several passages We
walked. and then our conductor led US
into small chamber, bare except for
half-dozen iron cots that stood in a row
against the wall. A guard was at the
doorway. but admitted US with a low
bow after one glance at the man in
black.
Leading us to the nearest cot, Mazano-
witch threw back sheet and then stood
aside while we crowded around #. To
my horror I saw the form of Madam
label lying dead before US. Her white
dress was discolored at the breast with
clots OF dark blood.
stabbed to the heart" said the guard.
calmly. 1T was thus they brought her
from the train that arrived this after
noon from Matte Crosse. The assassin
is unknown"
Mazanovitch thrust me aside. leaned
over the cot. and drew the woman's left
hand from beneath the sheet
The little finger had been completely
severed
Very gently he replaced the hand,
drew the sheet over the beautiful face.
and turned away.
Filled with amazement at the Mem
esis that had so soon overtaken this
fierce and terrible woman. 1 was about
to follow our guide. when I found my
self confronting a parsonage who stood
barring my way with folded arms and a
smile Of grim satisfaction upon his deli
cate features.
1t was Valcour-the man who had
called himself De Guarde on board the
Castina-the Emperor's spy.
All. my dear Senior HarcIifre! Do
We indeed meet again2' he cried.
tsuutingly. And are you still keeping
faithful record in that sweet diary
or yours II is me reading, that diary
perhaps you have it with you now2''
Let me pass" said 1, impatientIy.
Not Yet. my dear friend he an
swered. laughing. You are going to be
my guest, you know. Win it not please
you to enjoy my society once more7 To
be sure. And II shall not wish to part
with you again soon"
What do you mean2" ] demanded.
only that arrest you. Robert Har-
cliffe, in the name OF the Emperor"
'.On what charger" asked
Murder. for one" returned the smil-
ing Valcour. "Afterward you may an
swer for conspiracy
Pardon me. Senior valcour." said
the little man. in soft voice The
gentleman is already under arrest-in
the EmperOr's name
Valcour turned upon him fercely
but his eyes fell as he encountered the
others passive. Unconditional counte-
nance.
rs II so. Captain Mezanovitch? Then
] will take the prisoner of your hands"
The little man spread out his palms
with an aPOiOgetic. deprecating gesture
His eyes seemed closed-or nearly so.
He seemed TO see nothing. he looked at
neither Nalcour nor myself But there
was something about the still. white