Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19

him as he hurried down the zigzag path.
I wasted the bullet. however, for I missed
him as he shot round the corner of
rock.
And in this way hostilities began.
CHAPTER XXXII.
The Attack.
I waited with anxious curiosity to see
what steps Beltano would take next.
could not say whether he knew how the
formation of the windows would assist
me, or whether he had taken my words
as mere bluff. If he did know. the prob
lem before him was very stiff one.
The windows were cut in thick stone.
which slanted away from the opening at
an angle SO as to allow of the muZzle of
gun being thrust through, while the
man behind 1t was scarcely exposed to
any risk at all. They reached very low
down, moreover. almost to the floor, SO
that any one even close to the door was
easily within range.
I was. indeed, absolutely confident of
being able to defeat an attack upon the
building from that side, and the only
cause Of fear was lest Beltano should
think Of the cliff path and have that
the rear. If had only had one other
man with me I could have laughed at all
his efforts.
Busted with these thoughts. I was keep
ing vigilant eye for the frst sign Of
to me. They had heard the shots and
Masita had sent her to learn what had
occurred
II could not leave here or I would have
come to me, and. stay, Pepita, have you
courage enough to help me?"
How can I help, Beppo? You would
not have me fire on the men?"
"Oh. no. But wish to know II any at
tempt is made to improve the path round
by the cliff. VIII you 60 every hour to
the lookout and warn me the instant you
see a sign of anything being done? You
need not show yourself II you lie at full
length and peer over the lower rail-
She promised readily and went to give
my message to Masta. The scene with
Molta had made a very strong and ex-
seedingly unfavorable impression upon
Masita. and when after some delay she
mistakable. Her face was set and hard.
her manner cold and her eyes full of
suspicion and fresh alarm.
why have you sent for me? have
Of you. You rule women by fear"
Her words and her attitude irritated
me as much as her previous misleading
Of my treatment OF Molta. At another
time I should have smiled at it, no
doubt: but my nerves were at high ten
II did not send for you In any such
sense as you suggest replied. testify.
And you misread the whole thing just
now"
denseless woman. and the look in your
eyes was not one to be misread."
$50 much the better, but 1t was only
playacting. nevertheless I had not just
cleared myself Of one murder merely to
commit another. Had you opened the
door should not have hurt Molta.' but
had to stop you. and dared not let her
see that I had any other intention
must have acted the desperate we'll,
for she found this explanation hard to
credit. Il have looked to you for the
TRUTH" she said. after q pause.
well. you couldn't have 1t then, but
you know it now. My old reputation is
very ugly one, and had to trade on 1t.
shall act up to 1t as you seem to be.
But / am no cutthroat, even II do war
upon women"
She bit her lip and WINGED. and after
another pause asked with less GOODNESS.
What do you wish me to do?"
ITO understand things as they really
are 1 replied. shortly. II must know
If you still persist In leaving here. I
can't stop you now. of course. and-ah.
things are too serious to waste breath in
this way" 1 broke of, impatiently. Let
me tell you what has occurred. Beltano
has refused to accept any ransom. He
swears he will break in here. and has
gone away to make his preparations. 1
here. and shall not. until there is no
other course left. He will be back in a
few minutes, and there will be no more
talk until one or other of US has the best
of the first round. He is dead set upon
killing me, and has already fired at me
twice. and I am going to use these guns
to defend myself. That is the position.
signorina."
"Of course 1 shall not go. I am sorry
Il misunderstood" she added. hesitat-
II am not sorry. for if you did Molta
certainly would I replied, with a smile
But l think you had better go back to
your room. This will be no kid-glove af-
fair
mo. my place is surely here, If can
help you. 1t Is for me you are running
this risk. although you speak only of
yourself Can I help?"
IF you will pull a trigger when 1 tell
you'll don't mean to shoot at any one"
added. quickly, as she WINGED. But
have led him to think that he has to fight
more than me. and 1t would be point to
keep up that belief
"Of course 1 can do that. and I could
load the guns for you. How many men
has he with him?"
Probably a dozen-more than he will
have when this thing is through" said.
grimly.
II am glad you spoke to him. 1t is he
who makes it all necessary. But do you
think you can keep him at bay?"
'.I'll show you. and then you'll see what
I wish you to do" and I explained how
the windows had been constructed for the
purposes of defense; that 1t was exceed
ingly difficult for any one outside to aim
at those within, and that. except for the
possible accident of chance shot hitting
me, I was In no sort Of danger What
I want you to do Is to keep we'll back
behind the shelter of the wall and point
the muzzle of gun through the window
that 1t may appear as If another man
was with me. and fire 1t once or twice"
I thrust the gun through the window
and moved 1t about to illustrate my
meaning. AS I was doing 1t some one
fired at us from without and the bullet
whistled through the opening and fiat
tened itself against the opposite wall.
Masta did not finch in the least. II
see now what you mean about there be-
ing no danger" she said, calmly.