The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-13

breaches and accusations on Emily he left the presence of the distracted girl
 The next morning Montoni departed on one of his forays. He was not as Emily supposed, a captain of banditti, though for all practical purposes he might have been. He was a conspirator against the state of Venice and had taken into his pay body of condotteirl, mercenary soldiers made up of all nationalities, who at that time went about in the disturbed state of Italy selling their services to the highest bidder. Though nominally making war on the enemies of the Ve- netan republic. Montonl in reality was levying blaclxmall on all who could pay and who were within the reach of his power. As he could pay his soldiery lit tie cash, he gave them full liberty to rob- so that the ancient stronghold of Udol- pho had degenerated into a nest of thieves The authorities were hindered from sending an expedition to wipe 1t out only by the more important matters claiming their immediate attention.
 During the absence of Montoni Emily frequently heard at night the strains of music coming from below her window and once or twice she caught sight of the ghostly figure gliding along the plat form and vanishing by the haunted can non. One of the airs that the unseen musician played overcame her with sud- den thrill. She remembered once, when she was happy In La Vallee. that, going to fetch her lute, which she had left in a little fishing house overlooking the river, she had heard this same air played by an unknown hand When she entered the place 1t was vacant, but the lute. which she had left on a window seat had been thrown upon the table, apparently in haste by the mysterious musician This experience had been repeated. and she had also found in the fishing house some verses apparently addressed to her.
 Valaneourt had admitted to her that before he met her on the journey with her father he had been in the neighbor- hood of La Valee and she had taken 1t for granted that it was he who had been the author of the music and the verses And now she heard that air again! Could it be that Valancourt, perhaps coming to seek her. had been taken prisoner and was confined in Udolpho? She partially confided her hopes and her fears to An nette, and the maid undertook to ascer- tain the truth through her faithful Ludo- vico.
 Emily's anxiety regarding the fate of her aunt was extreme. but all that ste could learn was that the unfortunate lady still lived. though kept in the strict est seclusion and rapidly sinking toward the grave. On the return of Montoni she was informed that his wife had been re- moved to her former chamber and that her niece had permission to visit her. She found Madame Montoni evidently near death but still firm in her resolution not tn hand over her property to her husband The next morning Annette rushed into Enily's chamber. hystercally announcing that Madame Montoni had died during the night. The girl had scarce time to indulge in the natural grief that she felt for her aunts sad end when q messen- ger from Montoni summoned her to his presence.
 "I have sent for you." said the Lord of Idolpho sternly. ito say that as your aunts husband l am heir of all she pos sessed That which she withheld from me in her life is now mine. You will sign this paper releasing any fancied claims you may have on her estate Sign. and you will be sent back to France: refuse, and beware my ven- geauce."
 q am not so ignorant you suppose - replied Emily. My aunts estates are mine by law and my own hand shall never betray my right
 Montoni turned pale with anger. This night. this very night said he and was proceeding when a deep solemn voice. coming apparently from the stone wall of the room in which they sat alone. re- peated: This night, This night. Mon toni paused and turned hall around, but collected himself and went on You have seen one example of my vengeance. I could tell you of others that would make vou tremblc to hea---' A deep sro,n. coming apparently from beneath their feet. interrupted the speech T Will have vengeance as well as iusticel cried Montoni appearing not to notice the strange interruptions Just then another