Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-12

DRAKE eHUtItu tIItil bheh' w.
toward me- I was crouched
against the wall by the side OF tai
wooden settle. which would nave pre-
vented them from seeing me had they
looked round
But they had no suspicion that L was
not on the bed. This stood against the
wall opposite the door. with the table De-
tween them and 1t. The wide smart ol
brilliant moonlight streamed full on .ie
table on which we're the remains OF the
meal I had recently made. and as the
bed was in the shadow. the light hindered
rather than aided them. because IL deep
ened the gloom over the bed ana rendered
II the more difficult for them 10 detcc'
the trick I had PLAYED
Giuseppe paused about midway between
the door and the table. keeping Just out
side the shaft of light. and Drake stole
steaIthily ND to his side. He whispered a
word I'm his ear and pointed flrSt at the
remains of the food and then toward the
bod.
Giusepne nodded and drew his knife and
stepped noselessly round the table to ap-
proach the bed. Drake remained stlll a
moment and then. as If his courage was
falling retreated a couple OF PAGES TO-
ward the door keeping his eyes nHeu IN
tently upon his companion.
He could not have made matters easier
for me. and I saw in a flash how 70 use
the opportunity to advantage. doiolne
nv revolver ready, 7 crept up behind him
and fired a shot close to his ear. at the
same time striking him with my LETT nst
on the side of the head. 90 that he should
think the bullet had hit him.
He let out loud yell OF terror ana
rushed out of the room l locked the uOor
and then turned on Giuseppe. who was
standing full in the moonlight, a grim
picture of Disconnected fury.
"Not quite SO simple as you thought.
Giuseppe'' 7 said. with a sheer.
He lowered his right hand as IL TO hide
his drawn knife and took one step toward
me
stop right there and put that ugly
knife OF yours on the table in the light
where I can see it. Quick I added. for
ne hesitated, as If calculating the chances
OF tuSsle. 81 give you two seconds 10
obey"
With an oath he tossed II on TO the
table.
Now put your hands up and don't you
dare to move so much as finger till |
tell YOU" He oheyed and picked up the
knife and put it out of his reach. Turn
your back to me- ] won't shoot you I'M
less you disobey me.
He turned round and I ran my hands
over him TO make sure that he had no
other weapon. and when l had satisfied
myself. I placed a chair so that his face
would be full in the light and ordered
him to sit down.
-
save your life you'll answer the questions
! ask and answer them without lies
You and Drake came here to kill me, and
as knew you were coming i was on my
guard. l had been told all about 1t. If
] had shot you both the moment you en-
tered ] should only have done what had
the right to do in self-defense. You know
that. If spare your life it will only be
because you are more use to me alive
than dead, and that will depend upon how
you answer my questions
j paused to give him time to collect his
scared wits sufficiently TO realize that his
life hung upon very thin thread.
Who betrayed us?" he asked. sullenly-
Don't question me-" ] replied sharply.
al have more friends on the island than
you think"
But no one knew except He
broke off and finished with a savage oath.
Was it Molta? She has seen you. I
know that
For moment 1t suggested itself to me
TO play the one against the other. but
could not betray her.. She had given nae
the warning in all good faith regretting
her part In the affair. and with a genuine
desire at the moment Of being reconciled
70 me and saving me. II told you not to
question me-" l answered. sternly. "She
came to me on quite different errand.
You and Drake were overheard.
I'll have her life for It," he muttered.
you've got to save your own first. Gu
seppe Now. whose plan was 1t to put
Vicino's death on me. and why was 1t
done?'
His eyes shifted uneasily. II don't
know what you mean"
.'Ill make it plain enough. When l
came back first l didn't care about the
thing. l knew hadn't done 1t. of course.
but let the rest think it was my work
while found out whether it was you or
Drake who had planned it all and what
your motive was. You remember. !
slammed not to know anything about 1t.
But the time has come when the truth
must be told Was it you or Drako?"
You did it yourself. Beppo."
''You saw me thrust the knife into
Vicino's hearth"
Yes saw you" he replied, doggedly.
gathering steadiness as he thought
knew nothing about it.
Yes he said nodding You said you
wanted the truth.
And Drake saw it also?"
Eyes"
And you have both told that to the
No" he replied, still readily but with a
start Of surprise.
But you could testify il they got hold
of your
II could of course. but / shouldn't
You don't think that2''
You don't see what ] am thinking.
Giuseppe. The thing Is this. / am ac-
cused OF vicinos murder and the hue
and cry has been raised for me and a
price put on my head. There are only
two witnesses who could swear to what
YOU say Is the truth. Drake is one. you
the other. The one thing you desire
above everything on earth is my death or
conviction with imprisonment for life
One OF the two witnesses is here alone
with me in my power Dead men tell no
tales. Giuseppe. What would you do to
me IL the positions were reversed?"'
He had listened to me at first with as
stunned Indifference. but this disappeared
as he began TO realize the significance OF
my words. His features set. his lips
frightened, and into his eyes crept the
strained look of rapidly mounting fear
and when l paused he stared helplesSly
at me. prey to abject terror.
Come. You don't answer quite SO
glibly' sneered.
II should NORTHUMBERLAND 81
he stammered. slowly.
IAN end to your lies I cried sternly
You would do what ! shall do now
make sure of your silence and as
spoke I raised the revolver slightly
The sweat OF fear stood thick on his
forehead now and he was as gray as
death as he met my threatening look He
knew full we'll what he would have done
in my place. and. Judging me by his owr
standard, he read his doom in my eyes,
For space OF many seconds he was
incapable OF speech. but then he made q
great effort and forced himself to reply
II have lied. Beppo. You did not Kill
Vicino. Tit was all-all Drakos doing.
Out with II then. quick. Everything
about It, / said.
Give me time You shall know it all.
he muttered. with a deep sigh. as h,
heac 10 fon ND icf