The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-05
CHAPTER XXI. n~mL xo NVaA VmIaVd.

The knowledge that the carabinieri were in. the house ended all thought of any further attack. With tighten ing of the muscles, Ahmet resumed his former attitude of impassive uncon- cern; Drako, in quick fear for his sKin' rushed out of the room. followed by the fellow who had kept close by him all inc time, and Luigi fingered by the door and looked across as If anxious for me to leave with him.
 s'Put up your weapon" said Masita to her servant. touching him on the shoulder stand at the head of the stairs there ready to call up the cara binieri at a word from me- He showed some reluctance to ooey the order, and kept his eye fixed on Ahmet as he slowly backed through the door Ahmet then glanced suspi- ciously from Masita to me and back to her and uttered a single exclamation of disgust
 "You can go If you wish to save your self" said Masita to him
 He regarded her steadily, and his dark. stern face relaxed for moment | in a slow, meaning smile, we are fools and have been tricked by wo- mans wit Come. Luigi" and with that he walked slowly to the door
 "T am going to the island with you, | said as they left the room. You will be safe now." I added to Masita. | Can you keep the carabinieri from pursuing us?" did not understand There will De no pursuit" she answered with a smile DO they not know I am here DO vou think I should tell them?' q don't understand" l exclaimed In perplexity. l.. was too late"
 The meaning of it began to dawn on me then. DO you mean that after all you did not bring" There are no carabinieri Tn the house." 3,,
 But the men we heard below there?
 "Bianca and old Giacomo. There IS no one else. It was a trick. re. | leased Giacomo and his son and armed | them. 1t was his voice you heard. and he and Blanca made the noise or the | grounding of guns, ,
 But the risk! It was madness'- cried. ,..,,.
 "I had no choice. To have brought the carabinieri would have meant your arrest. Rather than that would nave returned to the island. .
 .J have no words to thank you" l reblied, dumbfounded in my wonder ht her courage But they may return
 "Ahmet is disabled; Drako and the other are towards; and Luigi IS your friend. They will not venture here again. Besides, I have already sent for help to come at once.
 Let me make sure that they nave indeed left the house,
 There is no need. We shall not Dc taken again by surprise, and both Gia' como and his son would shed their hIood in my defense"
 But l insisted upon going round the house to make sure the men bad gone and did not leave until l had satishee myself that she could safely be lefi until help arrived. .-.
 You have saved me twice tonight she said. as l was about to set out. You will at least let me thank you and she held out her hand.
 But again I drew back. T am no worthy, signorina."
 "Is not that for me to judge, ant have I not heard your story?
 T am not yet worthy, signorina. Il I live to tell you the end Of 1t, ther perhaps I may take your hand Bu not yet"
 Heaven grant it may end as would have it"
 And with these earnest words ring ing in my ears, and more moved thar ever before in my life. I set off after Ahmet and his companions.
 I chose the path by which she guid ed me to the house and by the horse I found Luigi waiting. T thought yo' would come this way, Beppo, ant waited to dissuade you from returning to the island"
 You can't do that, Luigi"
 There will be hell in Beltano's hear after this business tonight. He wa like a madman when he learned tn trick you had played him.
 "Where is he?"
 He crossed with us; but messen ger from the Count met him at Solfe rinos and he ordered us to come O here, saying that he would follow. n will have your life if you go back.
 "A man can only die once. If l stay here there is worse-imprisonment 10 life" and l mounted.