Arizona republican., 1909-05-21

the world Thus have my worldly
side L shall use it as buffer.
"Blindfolded," Hillard scrubbed his
chin. All these precautions, Who
was she? What was she? An ordi-
nary young woman, full OF mischief.
or was she what he hoped. a real
mystery? He was well on the way
to find out. Since there was no es-
cape, blindfolded he would go.
At half after six. on the night Of
the first of February, then, he began
to dress. 1t was. some time since he
had taken such particular care.
The signore seems in high spirits
tonight" observed Giovanni, as he
laid out the linen.
Man, I'm happy and greatly ex-
cited, Do you reeolleet the lady who
sang under my Window / am go
ing to meet her tonight The mys-
terry will be mystery no longer"
who is she?" asked Giovanni
sharply. 1t was rarely he asked a
question with such directness.
But his master was too excited to
note it. "On my word, I don't know
who she is, Giovanni. She has writ
ten such charming letters, She may
be only a singer: she may be a Rus
sian princess in exile; she may be an
adventures of the most formidable
type; she may be an American girl.
One thing, she. is not English. Eng
lish women as have found them,
lack the essential spirit of adventure"
"Ah" Giovanni stroked his lips
doubtfully. TT is not like the signore
to plunge blindly into adventures like
this
The very word. blindly. 1 go
blindfolded, AMIGO. What do you think
OF that?''
''Blindfolded? ?" Giovanni was horri-
fled. ut is a trap" he cried. They
will assassinate you, No, you shall
not go! In Rome. at the carnivals, it
is an old game They viii rob you
You are dreaming. This is Ameri-
ca: things are not done that way
here. And nothing now can turn me
aside" billiard was all the while
finishing his toilet
Il suppose not But blindfolded,"
Take the number of the cab as 1
get in. If anything should happen,
give the number to the police"
Giovanni, with a sharp movement
of the hands, expressed his resigna-
ton to the worst He knew the
futility of arguing with his master
But he followed him down to the hall
and tied on the bandage himself. He
was honest about it, too, for Hillard
could see nothing. Then the mes
senger boy took him by the hand and
led him to the carriage. As the two
We're climbing in, Giovanni spoke rap
idly in his native tongue.
There is no number on the car
riage."
TOO late to bother now"
The carriage rolled off toward the
club. where the dinner, hot and smok-
ing, was taken on
"Joinin' tn Elks?" asked the boy.
when they were well under way once
more.
mo, it's a seance. They are going
to call up my fate round a table"
Huh? Aw. go-wanl Dey don't GsH
up no ghosts wit French cider and
hot boids" The boy relapsed into
silence
Hillard tried to follow the turns of
the carriage. but there were too
many: and so he resigned himself to
become totally lost. By and by the
carriage stopped.
Dis is where we alights, me lOid,"
the boy jeered. AN no lookin' mind
Hillard found the carriage steps and
landed safely. He stood for a mo-
ment, listening. They were in a quiet
part of the city; no elevated or sur
face cars were near. He was assur-
ed that the location was exclusive.
Carrots are not to be found in quiet
places.
Look out fer tn steps," said the
boy. again taking Hillard by the hand.
"And you be careful of that basket"
81 amt lettin' it drop any"
Winding steps. thought the blind
folded man. He could recollect none.
1t seemed to him that they stood
there five minutes before the door
opened. When it did, the boy passed
in the basket and resolutely pushed
Hillard into the hall. The door closed
gently, and the adventure was begun.
Whittier would it lead him?
Take off the bandage the signorc
may now" said a voice in broken
English.
"Thanks," He tore the handker-
chief from his eyes and blinked. The
hall was so dimly lighted that he
could see nothing distinctly
"The signore's coat and hat"