The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-03-15
CHAPTER TX.
Th r~wmAs.s~-a

Inc C0r0bhnterts
When the police thrust their way in.
I knew that much would turn upon the
first Impression l created. / managed
TO keep my head. Giving a start of
surprise, ] returned the stare with
which they all favored me and muttered
rs II to myself but in a tone loud
enough to reach them: Who in thun-
der are these?"
The woman of the place babe them
good-evening. and before the leader
who stepped forward could get word
out. addressed myself to him.
"Good-evenihgs signor, you'll pardon
me I hope said, speaking with the
most nasal drawl could command and
sticking my thumbs IN the armholes of
my waistcoat. in the fashion approved
or by all car.caturists Of the American
abroad: "but II either of you gentlemen
can speak English, I'll take this meet
ing as Just the cleanest bit 81 luck I've
struck for some time. For I'm up
against 1t, good and hard, with this
good soul here. want lodging and
she Just insists ON thinking / ought to
NIL myself up with her wine."
The frown with which he listened to
my FIRST words faded gradually, and.
when I had finished, he smiled, and to
my Intense satisfaction replied in Eng
iish, which he spoke fiuently. Excuse
me one minute, sir, and / shall place
myself at your service"
Bully for YOU" / exclaimed with the
broadcast of grins, and seized his hand
and wrung 1t cordially.
His two companions smiled. and he
turned to the woman and held a whis-
pered conversation In the course of
which heard the name of Beppo Ser
rano mentioned several times by them
both.
4 slipped my wine and pulled at my
cigarette, smiling carelessly with the
afr OF a man Unexpectedly helped out
the tale / had best tell to account for
my presence.
Now. sir" he said at length, turn
ing to me.
~some wine the hest" said to the
woman, in broken italian. You'll all
drink with me to our better acquaint-
ance,'' added to the officer.
He made me pretty bow. What
IS your trouble?' he asked, as we sat
down.
"A pile of it. I'm an American; Cum
ningham's my name, Of New York, q
newspaper man, on the prowl for copy.
Got q cable when I was in Rome on
vacation to come down here to write up
something about some new sulphur
mines said to have been found in this
province. At Palermo they told me to
come to this place. Just in; and can't
make a soul understand my Italian.
Guess the New York folk thought a
fortnight in Rome ought to make me
speak the language all right / know
something about sulphur but as for
the language" / tossed up my
hands with a laugh
II have been in New York." he said,
smiling
Gee Will You don't say!" exclaim-
ed. gripping his hand again
MY name Is Murito; I am an officer
IN the carabiniers."
'fWell, Captain. I'm just real glad to
meet you, and If ever you come to New
York again and I'm here, I'll give you
the time Of your life" and as the wine
was set before us, filled the glasses
and we clinked them together in good
Fellowship
"I cannot give you much time now.
I am on duty. How can I serve you?"
TELL this good creature that want
bed here for q day or two ana that as
she refuses to understand my italian,
she must get me such food as she
likes"
He laughed. and turning to the wo-
man acted an interpreter She was a
shrewd body, and laughed and ges-
tured and apologfzed for her supposed
mistakes with a very natural air, and
with a promise to do all she could to