The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1905-09-21

Bending over the fallen chiefs, the
monk felt their breasts as II to learn
whether they were alive or dead. The
investigation evidently satisfied him,
for he turned and signaled for some
Of the house servants and soldiers to
carry the prefetto and the count into
the house.
Thoroughly bewildered now, I made
sure that Dambo's cords were secure,
dragged him out of Nita's oom and
into that in which Pacho Maligni had
been killed, and, locking both doors,
put the keys in my pocket and went
down to meet Brother Michael.
On the stairs / met Mutterelli, who
was sauntering carelessly along smok-
ing a cigarette.
You here?" I cried. II did not see
you in the fight"
"No, signor," he said. "A man who
has prospects of fifty thousand lire
risks his life in a fight with
bandits. was looking for you. I
have something for you"
From under his jacket he took q
box-the red tin box that had been
taken from Pacho Maligni.
where did you get that?" I asked.
"In Dambo's quarters" he said. 1T
seems to connect him with the murder
of Maligni."
ut does, it does!" I said. "And
Dambo Is this minute lying bound in
Pacho Maligni's room. And in the
next lies Nita Barlotti in a dead faint.
| was going after some cognac for
her. The doors are locked"
Give me the keys" he said. II
have a flask. l will bring the sig.
norma round. You go below-Broth.
Ell Michael may wish to see you"
l felt that l could trust Muterelli,
and handed him the keys. Then l
went down into the library, where the
prefetto and the Count di Pordino
had been carried.
Two broad, low touches had been
hurriedly drawn out into the center Of
the library. Upon one lay the pre-
fetto, and upon the other the Count
di Pordino. 1t was evident, even to
my Impractical eyes, that both these
men were dying.
Physicians who had hurried to the
villa. aroused by the alarm bells Of
the monastery, were working over
them, and by the side of each stood
a monk, holding a crucifix in his hand.
That is all we can do" said one.
THE wounds are fatal. Neither the
prefetto o the Count di Pordino will
live till daylight"
The wounded men looked about
them. They were conscious, and
heard their doom as pronounced by
the physician.
Brother Michael stepped nearer to
them, and said:
Sons. you have heard the sad
words of the physician. Make your
peace with God, for you will soon
stand before him to be judged for
your deeds on earth, and if they have
been evil, for the degree of repen.
lance and reparation you have given.
Have you, Count di Pordino, any sin
or secret OF your SOU which you
wish to confess and receive absolu-
ton and forgiveness before you 60
before the final and the Almighty
~Judge?"
The count looked at the monk fee
bly, a moment and slowly shook his
head.
rs there nothing? Think, count,
of your past life Is there nothing?
Have you ever borne false witness
against another
A frightened look came into the
counts eyes.
All" softly said Brother Michael.
There is something. Is it about
Henry Thorlane?"
The count made a sign of assent.
THE crime with which he was
charged, and for which he was sen.
fenced to a servile penance for twen-
ty years, and for which his estate was
confiscated and turned over to your
hands-did he commit that crime?
Was he an enemy of the protector"
The lips OF the dying count formed
the word No"
The monk then turned to the pre-
fetto.
(To be continued.)