The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-05

tCenstBued.)
 T have been hurt and cannot pro- tect you against more than one." I said. t
 Tt is a trap. You have laid it." she cried.
 "on my soul, no." replied ferventiy. T would save you if could" Break in the window. He may he dying" said another voice outside
 You must leave me to do as I will 1 said to her; "and I will try to find means to help you later. You say I am one of them. For the time at least must keep up that pretence."
 With that I cried to the men out side and wrenched away the fastening of the window. "Is that you, Bell tano?"
 In another moment the window was forced from without and tall, dark. handsome fellow sprang into the room. "Beltanow exclaimed my companion, shrinking back in evident fear of him. Whats the trouble. Beppo? he asked. You came in the nick of time, man. The signorina was trying to escape. and in another moment yeu would have been too late"
 Beltano laughed and then turned and made her a deep bow.
 For an instant she hesitated. tremb- ling. and then. with glance of dis dain at me for the lie 1 had uttered, lutely. as three other men clambered through the windoT.
 CHAPTER HI.
 Beltano.
 As the other men entered felt my st sth giving out. The room reeled d. me and I was staggering when a ssung muscular fellow of about 20 years of age caught me in his arms
 ''Beppo is done" he called.
 Look to him. Breva," said Beltano.
 These were the last words I heard for the time. Breva. the young fel- low who had come to my assistance. laid me gently down on the floor and [ swooned.
 When came to myself he was bend ing over me and forcing some brandy between my lips.
 T thought you were done for, Bep- po." he said with a sigh of relief.
 I'm only weak. The crack on my head"
 brink this" It was brandy; and he supported my head, handling me as gently and carefully as a woman would have done. and his large dark eyes were full of solicitude.
 yhe spirit revived me. T am better
 
 Where are the others? I asked, see- ing that we two were alone.
 "Ahmet and Luigi have taken away vicfno's body and Beltano is with the signorina. He is mad that Vicino has been killed. He told me to cali him the moment you recovered" With that he laid me down on a pil- low he had made of some coats, and called to Beltano that I was conscious. ehvtf the next instant Beltano entered. His swarthy handsome face was as black as night cloud.
 Why were my orders disSheyed. Beppor"
 ''who disobeyed themg" I replied. at a loss to understand him. "Who else but you7 You knew she whole pian--that Signor viclno was 10 be captured. not knifed. You know that the object of the whole thing was to extort from him all that he knew and to hold him to ransom. Why did you kill himT'
 T don't remember anything. Did I Kill him?"
 Isn't this your knifea' he asked. showing me the weapon which I had found close to my side on my first re- turn to consciousness. He was killed with this and the signorina declares you admitted having done it."
 T don't know" said. II did not"
 The reply ineensed him. Don't try to fool me-" he cried.
 T was struck on the head by some one and can remember nothing"
 T will have better tale than that" he declared, and launched out into a long tirade against me for having dis obeyed his orders and spoilt his plans. From this was able to gather that he had been acting under the orders of some man of influence in making the attack upon the murdered man; that very important results were anticipat- cd from the capture; that the victim had been In possession of plans which it was of the most critical importance