The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-09

I had sufficient money to carry me as far as Rome. had found this in my old hut. but where 1t had come from of course I could not know. And as could not say when I should get my next meal. I made a hearty one. and then lay down to wait until I knew the men would be in their beds, | I did not close my eyes. but lay thinking over the parlous mess in which was involved and speculatinK uneasily upon the chances of escape: and I had rested for about an hour when I heard sound somewhere in the building.
 lay as still as sleep, and listened. straining my ears for any repetition of the noise. It was louder next time. Something fell on the floor of one of the adjoining rooms, and whispered Hush" followed.
 In a flash I guessed the meaning of | 1t.
 For some reason Molta had failed to warn Giuseppe that I knew of his plan against me: or she had been cunning enough to think I should conclude she would tell him and so be of my guard. | She had been right. too. for had given up all thought of the attempt, and had 1t not been that I had formed the fresh plan of escaping at once, I should have been asleep.
 Instinctively slipped off the bed and arranged the clothes I had cast off so that they might be mistaken for my sleeping form, and stole across the room and concealed myself in a spot where could give any intruder very different welcome from that he expect ed.
 The moon was up. and the light streaming through the windows was sufficient to enable me to see anyone who entered and all that occurred; while at the same time it intensified the dark shadows in a manner likely to disconcert anyone who came fresh into the room from outside
 It was fin one of these shadows that the bed stood, just beyond the sheen of light cast by the moons rays.
 Molta had said that Giuseppe and Drako were to make the attempt. and I had long enough to wait to have time to form some rough sort of plan. Reckoning upon the advantage of sur prise, they would probably feel quite confident of success; and although that advantage would now be on my side. was not rash enough to think of risk ing a fight against them both in the dark at such close quarters. Then another thought came to me. If I could get Giuseppe into my power, could force him to make a confess sion of vicino's murder. And I began to shape my plans with that in view. Drako was a sorry coward. I knew. Willing at any time to give a stab in the back when there was no danger, he would think first and always of his own skin and would bolt at the first sign of danger. A shot fired in the air or even a sudden blow dealt unexpect | edly from out of the darkness would send him flying like rabbit.
 
 would only do that if no other course were possible. But I would have Giu- scope at any cost; and if to secure him I had to shoot his companion. would | do 1t without compunction. He was set on killing me; and in that desper- ate game he who loses pays. | While these thoughts were flashing through my head I was listening in. tently for any sound to tell me that the men were coming to the room. Af- l ter the slight noise they made-proba- bly on getting through the window they remained absolutely still, to reas- sure themselves that I had not heard 1t.
 So long did this dead stiffness last indeed that I began to feel impatient for their coming, and half disposed to fear that they had abandoned the at- tempt. Now that I was prepared for
 
 truth from Giuseppe, WIS positively eager for them to come. Instead of menaclng danger. the attack opened the path of hope. At last I heard a movement They were creeping toward the room stealth- fly, almost noiselessly, save that now and again their clothes brushed against the wall of the narrow passage.
 Then a hand touched the door, which stood ajar, and I saw 1t give. inch by inch, as it was gently pushed open enough to admit them. At that moment I breathed heavily as if in sleep. Again all was still as the grave.
 After a few seconds a whisper pass | ed, and by that I knew that there | were at least two of them. Presently the door was pushed wider, and man glided through it and paused an in- stant, peering intently toward the | bed.
 was right. It was Giuseppe. held my breath. and my fingers | frightened on my revolver as I waited | to see who was with him. Almost immediately afterwards Dra- kos evil, sinister face showed. Like the coward he was, he Jagged a pace or two behind his bolder companion. | The moment for me to act had come.