Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-02-13
CHAPTER XI.-Contlnued.

STlHT En- Nis-SOUtIiuSus
How many were there?" interjects
Barnes hurriedly.
About four, Monsieur. Only one
know how to sail re ship. But re night
is fine and aftaire bringing me to
make ze breakfast during re darkness,
re one who knew re coast steered us
here. Zen zey drop re anchor and
cry to me: Cook, stay on board. You
tell re cursed Americana, Signore
Barnes of New York to come to Bocog-
nano II he would rescue his wife. We
have greeting for him Zere witch he
Will not forget Fay all take off zaire
hats, as re young cavalier bring upon
deck your beautiful lady, who looked
like goddess, so naughty, so noble.
To him as he bowed before her, she
says: Monsieur Bernardo Saliceti,
you who were we're un gentilhomme
few days ago and have now become
kdnapper, tell your savages to keep
Eaire hands off me and l will 60 with
YOU
"To me she command as she stepped
into re boat: Loboeuf, have a good
meal for Mr.. Barnes, who will be COM
ing SOON Zen she look at me with
her eyes. l know she means l am not
to forget something. All, your mariee
vas vaire brave. Only once in re long
night, as / listen with my ears, hear
from re cabin a short, quick Sob"
my wife's eyes told you to remem-
Der something? What was it?" asks
Barnes very eagerly, though his gaze
is dim.
"Oh, VOLTA! When re ruffians were
preparing re boat for her, Madame
whispered in my ear: Tell my hus-
band to look in re third drawer of re
cabin locker"
Before the last words have left the
Frenchman's lips, the American is
down the companionway and has torn
open the drawer indicated. He hur-
riedly losses aside the contents and
produces a note, the superscription of
which, in the dear hand he knows,
makes him falter. 1t is simply ad-
dressed: "Mr. Burton H. Barnes" and
reads:
. My Darling Husband: I have little
time to write, for they are preparing to
take me on shore in a boat We are
now anchored of Corsica somewhere.
Last evening, through some careless
message OF Thompson misinterpreted by
my own eagerness, came on board the
yacht alone, thinking you had gone there
before me to avoid some encounter with
Danella that might delay our wedding
trip. A boat was waiting for me at the
landing place. In the darkness during
the short hundred yards to the yacht,
noticed nothing suspicious in the oars
men. probably because my thoughts were
30 entirely OF you.
Flying into the cabin, expecting to
meet you. I heard the doors close upon
me and a voice in Corsican French say:
"She Is ours"' Then the slipping of
bolts outside told me / was a prisoner
No cries of mine or commands were
needed. The yacht got under way.
All, what a night I've passed here in
this cabin that should have been our
honeymoon home, thinking OF your mis-
cry when you found you had lost me.
But knowing by your love that you
will pursue and find me, send you this
warning, which is Of great Importance.
I have learned by some careless French
conversation that has drifted in to me
that l am to be made the lure to bring
you to the death OF the vendetta in
Bocognano. To me Saliceti has boosted
that they have notified you they take
me to Corsica They are sure your at
lection for me will make you follow me,
rash and careless In your agony. There
Saliceu means to assassinate you, think
ing by that to gain the votes of his Pc
culiar countrymen because he has nobly
fulfilled his diabolical oath of the hor-
rible vendetta that they worship. There
fore, by your love for me, my husband.
1 charge you not to risk your dear life
unduly, and to bring with you enough
friends to protect you from these as
sassins. I hear the splash of the boat
put overheard; they will be coming for
me, so kiss the letter where / sign and
you'll meet the lips Of in life or death.
always, YOUR WIFE.
Barnes reads this letter carefully
twice. Once he gaZes up; but the
sight of the cabin decorated for hi.
honeymoon, about which are scatter
ed his wife's dainty belongings
brought on board for nuptial voyage
makes him close his misty eyes Will
shudder.
Leboeuf is now calling down tn,
companionway: Monsieur, l hav
obeyed your wife's commands. A goo
meal is served on deck for you an
Madame Anstruther."
He must eat TO keep his strength u
for the work that is ahead of him. Tn
American steps alertly on deck an
tries TO show his appreciation of tn