The Carlisle independent., 1906-03-01

report, and I heard the spluttcr of . bullet against the wall
 The last warning she gssped.
 Then she fainted.
 At two o'clock the next morning crept out of the back door It was full moon and I saddled Sir Patrick by tife moonlight. It was Lucy's sad de that 1 put on him. and wore a long cloak and hat Of hers over my own clothes
 l walked Sir Patrick till we emerged from the shadow of the house. then galloped down the avenue As soon as l got into the road I detected the sound of a horse galloping in the lit tie lane that runs. parallel. to the road, about 300 yards, On the left We usually left the house by the bridle path to the lane, and our watcher had evidently waited there. I smiled grimly and set Sir Patrick fairly go- ing
 Sometimes the moon was out, and the road lay before me like a great white snake. Now and then I caught a glimpse through gap in the hedge of my unknown pursuer, and twice I thought he called to me. We came to the erossways and the wood
 I rode into a little open space. be- hind some tall bushes and crouched low in the saddle. I could hear a horses hoofs. when dry twig cracked suddenly in the bushes just behind me. I gripped my rifle. I could distinguish a horseman over the hedge, when there was another crackle, and the rustic of man nov ing among the bushes I knew the sound. l turned quickly and faced a bright flash, dozen yards away. Then some one sprang upon me from be. hind. I twisted round and grappled with him and we rolled over into the open space behind the bushes. My head struck violently against tree stump, and I was half stunned. He pinned me to the ground, and an- other man raised a dagger in the air The moonlight glinted on it. There was the report of a revolver shot, and the man with the dagger rolled over. The other sprang to his feet; but there was another report and he too fell.
 rose unsteadily and saw Antonelli peeping through the bushes, revolver in hand The horse from which he had dismounted was panting in the lane below. Antonelli addressed nc passionately in Italian. I did not un- derstand what he said; but it was clear enough that he took me for Lucy and that he was in love with her,
 'You are a brave man" he said. T wanted to warn her against them. I called to you to stop, but you did not hear. and I feared I have died Q hundred times tonight, while I rods
 You knew they were here?' l asked.
 q knew. They were-my confed- crates" He laughed a queer laugh. .'They would have killed her. So I killed them" He turned them over. They were both dead. Tt is we'll. They were wolves-and worse Their revolvers fire the same bullets as mine. Your police will think it was duel. See,'' He dragged them a lit tie way apart. 'Now we will go. to her"
 What shall I tell her?" I asked. He laughed softly.
 Tell her I am Guido Sesmondi, some time of the society-and sworn to take her life. I joined the society to find out what they were doing and in order to save her.
 We reached the house just before sunrise. There was a gray half-light on the great stairs. I went up them and knocked at Lucy's door She came out at once and dressed. Her face was white, and her eyes shone like stars :s
 Dick" she cried, you have found them?" ;. -.
 1.-TWO of them will trouble you TO more," I said. There was third. He killed them. He is below and wishes to see you.' She clutched at my arm. He bade me tell you that he belonged to the society and IS sworn to take your life. You shall not see him unless you like.
 "Who is he?" she gasped 'Who is he?"
 Guido Sesmondi.
 She sprans past me and rushed down the stairs
 "Guy." she called. Guy s. ran to the landing, revolver in hand. But when I saw his face l turned slowly away. His arms were round her, and her hair fell over his face as. she bent down to him.