Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-09


tention of at once approaching the
Count with the pious idea Of attempt
ing to prepare his soul for death.
Five minutes after he had entered the old
mans tent the Watchers heard scream OF pain
followed by wild peals of laughter They rushed
forward but before they reached the place the
Cardinal emerged, his face horribly cut and pro
fusely bleeding
The Count dAttaa, with fendish cunning,
had pretended to be grateful for the prelate S
kindness, and lured him into unsuspectng close
companionship; then when the Cardinal was
completely off his guard he had attacked him
with the champagne bottle the only weapon ne
possessed.
By the time the prelates wounds had been
attended to- the allotted hour had expired, and
at Perirord' s command the Count was carried
forth to the open beach, and at once placed op-
posite the five Italian gentlemen who STOOD IN
line. their cooked revolvers in hand, awaltlng
the word.
The prevailing darkness concealed the vic
TINS face: but to render the aim OF the hrers
sure a lantern was placed behind his back upon
There followed long silence which the Cardi-
nal was the first to break, for Perigord was
again in the throes of spiritual agony, and he
desperately fought for strength 10 utter the Ter
rible command whicn was to hurl his father to
aBosa CIracci," said the Cardinal in low,
trembling voice "I mplore YOU to confess your
sins, to repent before you die
The Count dAttala chuckled, and IeeTed
"Ha. ha there's sweet Christian Tor you' We
already srnacked both his cheeks, and he I'M,
plores me-
The Cardinal fell upon his knees and cried
ont with a humility that touched Cresslngham
to the heart: my son, | mplore you to save
vour immortal soul while there is time II is
the eleventh hour, but even yet true rePenV'
ance may prevail"
"Stop!'' shouted the Count, commandingy'
"At least allow me to preside over my own
funeral. I wish to say few words first DO
not fear however, I shall not curse You,
Curses are the vainest waste OF breath l should
of course dearly like to kill you all, but am
noweress What l wish to speak OF is my IN
yeption. You will find in a square steel box
among nv papers a set of plans and speclhca-
tions describing mechanism which has taken
me thirty years to perfect a mechanism which
is destined by the solved problem of perpetual
motion to provide the torce OF the tuture. lou
nerhaps think that my boast Is wild; but l as
sure YOU gentlemen. that over thirty years ago
| solved the problem of perpetual motion, and
at that time constructed three machines which
have worked of themselves ever since. They are
all in the boathouse yonder, and a glance at
them VIII verify my words Now with regard
to nv discoveries it is my earnest wish, my dy
ing wish, which as gentlemen | am sure you
will respect, that they be placed as soon as pos
sible in the possession of and at the exclusive
service of the British Government for use In
the English navy. England is the only country
which | have any esteem for, and which should
like to benefit. ] beg you to give me your as
suronce that you will do as l request"
Every one replied at once in the affirmative
for with no exception they believed him to be
speaking wildly, perhaps dementedly, but they
could discover no reason why he should not bC
pacfed since, after all, he was expressing las
wish.
The Count nodded. his thanks and swayed 4
little on his bound feet, Then in voice of pow
er and dignity he calmly said "Vademar, fare
Welt l go to dust, where one day you viii
follow me- Firing party, advance two steps
Readyl Present armsl Firei"
The revolvers cracked out their discharge two
simultaneously, the others at desultory anC
sharply noticeable intervals of fragments of sec
onds. The Count d'Attaa threw out his arms
and doubling up his body sank to the ground IN
nerveless heap without gasp or groan, three
bullets in his heart. He was buried where he