Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-12-21

he first saw Marie taking frightful
risk. In any event he was conscious
that death was in the room. The
fagots had burned out. There was a
bright light near the entrance. which
shone on Wilcox's back and which
cast shadow on the wall directly
over the fireplace. The shadow was
that of a figure with the right arm
raised above the head. The shadow
cast by the end Of this arm was din
cult for Wilcox to make out It SEEM
ed to be n pointed stick held by fist
The mind works quickly in the pres
ence Of danger. real or fancied. and in
a fraction Of second he had deter
mined that a man was behind him
with his right hand raised and holding
dagger.
"Senorar' cried the American sharp
ly. calling to the woman who had
served the wine.
The shadow fickered and disap-
peared.
There was no reply to the summons.
and the young man called again:
Sonora"
Presently the woman, yawning
came slowly into the room.
Il find myself. senora." said Wilcox.
with not even money enough about
me to pay you for the wine have or
dered. Have you any one here who
will 80 up to my hotel with check,
get it cashed by the landlord and bring
me the money!"
Eyes. senior. but you can as we'll pay
for the wine when you come for
more"
NO. sonora: so away early in the
morning to Naples. Besides. there are
other payments l wish to make down
here among you good people. l in
tended to bring money, but forgot it."
Very well. senior. II you desire it
I will send my son. He is in bed. but
l can awaken him."
Wilcox took a blank check from his
portmanteau and filed a check for
500 Ira ($100, and wrote on the back
of it request to the landlord Of his
hotel to send him the money it called
for by bearer. Then he gave it to
the landlady. and. ordering another
litre of wine and lighting a cigarette,
he made it appear that he would await
the return Of his messenger.
But he had no idea Of waiting for
the money. He knew the man who
was about to kill him when he awoke
from slumber would waylay the boy
who had gone for it. Possibly others
who knew of the fact that 500 Ira
was to be carried at midnight from
the town down to the fishers village
would also make an attempt to APP
propriate it. There was still another
possibility. The landlord might sur
mise that his guest had been cornered
and required the money for a ransom
In this event he might have the mes
senger Swallowed on his return by
policeman.
Wilcox realized the fact that he was
at the fishers village near II o'clock at
night where it was as dangerous to
remain as to climb to the top of the
cliff. He kept his eye on the wall for
awhile. but. seeing no temperance Of
the shadow, finally arose from his chair
and paced the floor. casting glances at
the entrances of the room. Presently
he walked out the door through which
the landlady had gone and made his
way into kitchen There. among 9TH
er things. lay a carving knife with a
long. thin blade and sharp point He
grasped 1t and for the first time since
he had seen the shadow drew breath
of relief. So far as be knew, no one
saw him take the knife, and. conceal.
ing it under his coat. be went back
into the room he had left.
Wilcox was uncertain what to do.
Should he remain where be was till
day. or should he risk going up to the
town with no other defense than q
carving knife? II beset. it might be
by several persons If he remained
where he was. in case of attack he
might put his back against corner
OF the room and stand off number
of assailants. Every vestige of reck-
lessness had deserted him He was
mad. fighting mad. but in that state
a mans faculties are often the sharp
est. He resolved to stay where be
was
Sufficient time for a messenger to 20
to the hotel and return had elapsed.
Wilcox had no idea that the messen-
ger would come back or. if be did
come. that he would have the money
with him. He was not thinking of his
500 Ira. which be would be glad to
pay for his life He was wondering If
the man whose shadow he had seen
or some one else had appropriated it.
This occupied his thoughts when sud-
denly the outer door was opened and
in stepped two persons.
They were a boy Of fourteen and
Marie:
Marie. approaching Wilcox. handed
him an envelope containing the money
he had sent for He looked at her.
plainly asking with his eyes an ex-
PLANTATION.
y knew. signor." said Marie. that
there is one who since you first spoke
to me is jealous of you. found to-
night that be would attack you and
watched the place l saw him come
in here and followed him. heard you
call for messenger to go for money.
l did not believe Giovanni would rob.