The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-09-22
MQu6kgCk, me u0n.IQ|ngI.
By SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America" 'ln the
China Sea-" Two Oentlemen Of
Hawaii" On a Palss
Charge" Etc.
Copyright. 1906. by HourRr BoNHRR's soHA
CHAPTER XII.

eva WOlk lIal Is planned against MIN
tonight. The prefetto is our master.
We must protect him, for he is the
representative of the king. What is
YOUR name. SOM"
Il am called Dambo, father"
Come with me to the prefetto.
Come. traveller: | will need your evil
dence as Well"
Wondering what desperate game the
monk was about to play, followed
him. The monk spoke few words
to the guard. A servant was sum
moned. and We were led into the pres
enre of the master of all Cagliari.
Your excellency!" said the monk.
by way of saIutation.
Yes, Brother Michael" responded
the p"efetto. You have news Of i'm
portance to convey. So said the serv
ant. am ready to listen"
'Iour cXcellency." said the monk,
1t is my good fortune that have
become possessed of important llnowl
edge that concerns your safety and
that of the fair Signorina Barlotti, who
is under your roof"
The prefettO started
That cursed Americana" he said.
NO. This time it is one of your
trusted friends who is plotting against
you and who would, but for our
friends here. murder you this night
and carry away the signorina for his
own"
"Sacre:' exclaimed the prefetto,
turning pale and looking at Dambo
and me with staring eyes. is this
true? Have friend so false? His
name: His name! demand his
uame."
Slow, your excellency. Do not be.
come excited" said the monk, calmly.
1T is the Count di Pordino who thus
plots against you"
''Pordino: impossible! He was
here to-day and drank wine with me,
and We spoke of his approaching mar
riase to the ward OF my poor brother.
He, Is he SO bad as that? Let him
enter here and my own hand shall
Stay him.
And as the enraged prefetto uttered
his threat against the count | thought
OF the words carved in the wall of the
cell in the Tore deli Elefante and in
the marble OF the grotto, Henry Thor
lane. will avenge."
The prefetto called the officer of
the guard and told him the facts. The
count was expected about midnight,
ana it was nearly that now.
Remember said the prefetto, as
his captain was leaving. Kill all the
others. but leave the count to me-"
The bells of the monastery were
ringing the hour of midnight. and the
darkness of cloudy night was over
everything. when we, who stood in
waiting attitude on the front porch OF
the prefetto's villa. were startled by
yell that came from a cOppice to the
right. A shot was fired evidently by
one of the prefetto's guards. and the
flash Of his rifle lighted up the grounds
for All instant. And in that instant
we saw the forms of men running to.
ward the villa.
suddenly some one placed lights in
the windows of the villa. which threw
a glare out into the night, and by this
light the guards OF the preletto saw
the attacking party, and formed to
meet them.
The villa became the scene of indie
serbia BILE excitement and activity. The
screams Of frightened women. the
servants Of the household. pierced the
air. and rang out in unison with the
hoarse shouts Of the soldiers and the
"ries OF the attacking party.
The leader of the attacking crowd
vas bur thinIy disguised. The Count
q! Pordino was tall man, and bore
himself with a carriage that was too
marked in character to be easily over
!oOkeI. He was not wounded in the
charge. and in the g are OF the lights
in the windows he could be seen urg.
jns his men on.
The prefettO. with mutlered curse.
sprang forward, evidently to meet the
count iace to face. AS he leapnd from
the porch. the Jesuit slid after him.
was about to follow, when | missed
Dambo. who had been standing be-
hind me- A rush of fear came over
me. Dambo had had another purpose
III coming to the villa than to warn
the prefetto. He had before attempt
ed Nita Barlotti's life-he would do it
again.
Dropping my peddler's pack bound
ed through the halls and up the stairs
tnW1rd Nita'S rbrm
IN the excitement the door of Bar
lotti's room had been opened | reach
ed the upper hall just in time to see
Dambo, knife in hand enter her door
Then scream. in voice which |
recognized as Nita's. told me the vii
| lain was at his work Painting,
plunged on, and reached the room. to
see Dambo. with knife appraised in
his right hand. while his left clutched
the frightened girl by the throat.
Raising my club, ! uttered a prayer
for muscular strength. 1t must have
been answered. The club descended
upon the skull of Dambo, and he fell
back, half stunned, the hand that had
| been at Nitas throat relaxed it's hold.