Free press., 1906-10-06

months, a weight was lifted from my
life, and at this supper we were all feel
ing ight-hearted and merry. Suddenly
/ looked up and saw Mezza at the lower
end Of the apartment, glaring at us with
light in his eyes that made my blood
run cold. 1t was only for second I
saw him; he went as suddenly as he
came.
Il told them all, but as they did not
see him. and he afterward did not seek
us. they declared I had made mistake
But 1 was sure had seen him, and
that he did not come near me made me
more frightened still
''But they were soon to find out that
was right, for late one night as Carlo
and the Englishnan were walking
through the lonely Rue Cuias,, Mezza
suddenly turned a corner and faced
them. They had no doubt he had lain
in wait for them, and when he spoke
they were sure he wished to pick a quar-
rel with them, and were prepared, for
presently when Mezza, in answer to
something the Englishman said, thrust
his hand into his waistband to pluck out
his knife, your husband struck him with
his fist in the forehead and left him
stretched on the pavement. Then, pull
ing Carlo away, they left him to recover
himself"
"And he has taken his revenge" ex-
claimed Valerius.
THAT happened" continued Angela
Mezza, y"just week before we came to
England. While we remained in Paris
never went out, save to and from the
opera house with my sister and Carlo,
and did not see my husband again
until July last"
Here in England?"
Eyes; just as l was leaving Covent
Garden Theater I caught sight of his
face in a crowd outside the door. My
sister and l were going out alone, but
I drew back and we waited for her hus-
band. There was something in Mezza's
eyes as they met mine that made my
heart sink I feared him even then as
had never feared him before"
Did you see him again ?"
mo: | have not seen him since"
"And David Dumbarton?" Valerius
said
"We left him behind us in Paris and
did not see him until within week of
his death. The last time we saw him
was on the afternoon of the day on
which he was killed, for he would not
be warned by what we told him, and
because he would not take caution he
was killed"
"By Mezza?" ?"
The foreign woman rose, her eyes
sparkling, her lips trembling, as, with
outstretched hand she struck the table
in front of her.
"Aye,'' she cried out passionately, 'by
his hand and by no other"
"You are certain it was your hus-
band who stabbed David Duu1barton p
Valerius said, in voice which, though
low-pitched, showed by its vibration the
depth Of his feeling.
'Certain" Angela Mezza cried in a
loud tone.
"But, what will be demanded is proof
actual proof that he committed the
deed"
'Ts not what 1 said proof enoughr
mot in itself"
'Then l don't understand your Eng
1ish law" the foreign woman replied,
hastily
'I don't wonder Few British people
do," he answered, adding, after mo-
ment's pause: do you know or suspect
where your husband is now?"
mo; I have no idea But ! suppose
he must have gone back to Paris or to
Italy,"
s'Surely he can be traced and found .
Olive Dumbarton remarked.
~v'No doubt, no doubt" replied Valerius
hastily.
"That is the duty of your police, .
Angela Mezza stated.
"Are you willing to repeat to the po-
lice what you have said to us?' Va
lerius asked.
eyes" she answered, with the COM
posed air of one who had made up her
mind.
'Then will drive with you at once to
Mackworth, the detective"
CHAPTER XI.