Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-07-10
CHAPTER XX.-(Continued,)


he Colonel; the question was how to
outwit him. l unfolded my plan to the
Signorina, not at all Disgusting from her
the difficulties, and even dangers, attend
ant upon it. Whatever may have been
her mind before and after, she was at
this moment either so overcome with her
fear Of the Colonel, or so carried away
b. her feeling for me, that she made moth
ing Of difficulties and laughed at dangers,
pointing out that though failure would
DO ignominious, 1t could not substantially
aggravate our present position.
"Ars you going to take any Of the
money away with your" she asked.
"No," said I, II don't think 30. It
would considerably increase the risk II I
were seen hanging about the bank; you
know he's got spies all over the place.
Besides, what good would 1t do?
couldn't stick to 1t, and I'm not inclined
to run any more risks merely to save the
banks pocket. The bank hasn't treated
me so well as all that. l propose to rely
on your bounty till I've time to turn
round. Now, shall I come for you" 1
asked her when we had arranged the other
details.
II think not" she said. II believe the
Colonel has one of my servants in his
pay. can slip out by myself, but
couldn't manage so we'll If you were with
me. The sight of you would excite Gu
riosity. 1 will meet you at the bottom Of
Liberty street."
"At two o'clock in the morning exactly,
please. Don't come through the Piazza
and Liberty street. Come round by the
drive" (This was a sort Of boulevard
sncircling the town, where the aristocracy
was wont to ride and drive.) "Things
ought to be pretty bus yabout the bank
by then, and no one will notice you. You
have 4 revolver"
EYES,"
"All right. Don't hurt anyone IL you
can help it; but If you do, don't leave
him to linger In agony. Now I'm off,"
continued. II suppose I'd better not come
and see you again?"
I'm afraid you mustn't, Jack. You've
been here two hours already"
II shall be in my rooms in the after
noon. If anything goes wrong, send your
sarriage down the street and have 1t
stopped at the grocer's. l shall take that
Tor sign"
The Signorina agreed, and We parted
tsnderly. My last words were:
you'll send that message to Whiting
ham at once?"
'This moment" she said, as she waved
NJ kiss from the door Of the room.
CHAPTER XXI.
I was evidently In for another day a.
unpleasantly exciting a. the one had
spent before the revolution, and reflect
Cd sadly that II man once goes in TOR
thinxs Of that kind, It's none 30 easy to
pull up. Luckily, however, I had several
thines to occupy me, and was not left to
fret the day away in idleness. First
turned my steps to the hArbor. As I
went examined my pockets and found a
sum total Of nine hundred and fifty dol
lars. This was my all. for Of lats had
deemed 1t wise to carry my fortune on
ny person. Well, this was enough for
the present the future must take care Of
itself. So I thought to myself as went
along with q light heart, my triumph in
love easily outweighing all the troubles
and dangers that beset me. Only land me
safe out Of Aureataland with the Sig
norma by my side, and asked nothing
more Of fortune Let the dead bury their
dad, and the bank look after it, dollars
Thus musing, came 70 the boat house
where my launch lay. She was tidy
littls boat, and had the advantage Of be-
ing workable BY one man without any
di6hculty. All I had to arrange was how
to embark on her unpsrceived. I sum-
moned the boatman In charge and ques-
toned him closely about the probable state
Of the weather. He confidently assured
me It would be Ane but dark.
''very WELL" said I, II shall 20 fishing;
start overnight and have . shy at them
ak sunrise"
The man was rather astonished at my
unwonted energy, but Of course made NO
objection.
"what time do You start, sir7" he
asked.
II want her ready by two" said I.
"Lsave her at the end Of your jetty, ready
for me. She'll be all safe there, won't
shs2"
"Oh, yer, sir. Nobody'n be about, ex-
cept the sentries, and they won't touch
her,"
privately hoped that not even the SEN
tries would be about, but I didn't say so.
"Of course, sir, shall lock the gate.
You've got your key"
"Yes, all right, and here you are-and
much obliged for your trouble"
Highly astonished and grateful at re-
eeiving a large tip for no obvious reason
(rather q mistake on my part), the man
was profuse in promising to make every
arrangement for my comfort. Even when
] asked for a few cushions, he dissem-
bled his scorn and agreed to put them in.
"And mind you don't sit up" said as
] left him.
"I'm not likely to sit up II I'm not
obliged" he answered. Hope you'll have
good sport, sir"
From the harbor made my way
straight to the Golden House. The Colo
nsi was rather surprised to see me again
% soon, but when told him I came on
business, be put his occupations on one
side and listened to me.
began with some anxiety, for II he
sus-ected my good faith all would be lost.
However, was always good hand at q
lie, and the Colonel was not the Presi-
can't.
ave come about that money question. !"
] said.
"a