Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-10-22

ed 10 be pointed stick held by fist.
The mind works quickly In the pres
encc of danger. real or fancied. and In
a fraction of second he had deter
mined that man was behind him
with his right hand raised and holding
a dagger.
"Senora?' cried the American sharp
served the wine.
The shadow filckcred and disap-
pcarcd.
There was no reply 10 the summons.
and the young man called again:
"Senorag
Presently the woman, yawning.
came slowly into the room.
II 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 go up to my hotel with a check.
get It cashed by the landlord and bring
me the money!
"ies. senior. but you can as we'll pay
for the wine when you come for
more"
mo. sonora; go away early in the
morning to Naples. Besides. there are
other payments | wish to mako down
here among you good people. I In
tended TO bring money. but forgot It."
VERY well. senior. II you desire 1t
/ Will send my son. He Is In bed. but
can awaken him"
Wilcox took blank check from his
portmanteau and filed check for
600 Ira (S100l and wrote on the back
Of It request TO the landlord OF his
hotel TO send him the money II called
for by bearer Then he gave II to
the landlady. and. ordering another
litre of wine and lighting a cigarette,
he made 1t appear that he would await
the return of his messenger.
But lie had no idea Of waiting for
the money. lie knew the man who
was about to kill him when he awoke
from slumber would wayny tho boy
who had gone for It. Possibly others
who knew of the fact that 800 Ira
was to be carried at midnight from
the town down to the fishers village
would also make an attempt TO APP
propriate 1t. 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
scnger Swallowed on his return by a
policeman.
Wilcox realized the fact that be was
at the fishers village near IL o'clock at
night where Il 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
or things. lay n carving knife with a
long. thin blade aud a sharp point. He
graspcd II and for the first time since
he had seen the shadow drew breath
of relief. So far us he knew. no one
saw him take the knife. and. conceal.
ing II under his coat, he went back
into the room he had left.
Wilcox was uncertain what to do.
Should he remain where he was till
day. or should he risk going up to the
town with no other defense than a
carving knife? II besct. II might be
by several persons. II he remained
where he was. In case OF attack he
might put his back against n corner
Of the room and stand or a number
of nssailants. Every vestigc of reck-
lessncss had deserted him. He was
mad. fighting mad. but In that state
"A mans faculties are often the sharp
est. lie resolved to stay where he
was
Sufficient time for a messenger to go
TO the hotel and return had elapsed.
Wilcox had no idea that the messen-
ger would come back or. II he did
come. that he would have the money
with him He was not thinking OF his
900 Ira, which he would be glad TO
pay for his life He was wondering II
the man whose shadow he had seen
or some one else had appropriated ii.
This occupied his thoughts when sud
denly the outer door was opened and
In stepped two persons
They Wee a boy OF fourteen and
Marie.
Marie, approaching Wilcox. handed
him an envelope containing the money
he had sent for lie looked at her.
plainly asking with his eyes an ex-
PLANTATION.
u knew. signor." said Marie. that
there Is one who since you first spoke
20 me Is Jealous OF yon. found to-
night that he would attack you and
watched the place. saw him come
In here and followed him. heard you
call for messenger TO 20 for money
| did not believe Giovanni would rob.
but | thought Il best to 20 with the
boy. Giovanni disappointed me. He
waylaid us and demanded the money.
but when he knew had Il he upbraid.
n n