Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-24


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 ii WAS as dangerous to
remain as TO climb 70 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 a kitchen. There, among 9th
er things, lay u carving knife with
long, thin blade and a sharp point. He
grasped it and for the first time since
he had seen the shadow drew a breath
OF relief So far as he knew, no one
saw him take the knife. and. conceal
ing it under bis 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 be risk going up TO the
town with no other defense than a
carving knife? If beset. it might be
by several persons. If he remained
where he was, in case Of attack he
might put his back against a corner
of the room and stand of a 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 he
was.
Sufficient time for messenger to go
to the hotel and return had elapsed.
Wilcox had no idea that the messen-
ger would come back or, If he did
come. that he would have the money
with him. He was not thinking of his
500 Ira, which he 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
Mariei
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.
IT knew, signor," said Marie, that
there is one who since you first spoke
to me is jealous of you. / 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 go for money.
did not believe Giovanni would rob,
but l thought it best TO go with the
boy Giovanni disappointed me. He
waylaid us and demanded the money.
but when he knew had it he upbraid-
ed me and went away"
$50 you are disappointed in your
lover. Marie-that he should rob, but
not that he should murder"
"The one was for money and the
other for love"
II see. There is a great difference"
The matter being explained. Wilcox
lost his apprehension. Since there
appeared to be but one man concerned.
he resolved. armed with the carving
knife he had captured. to go up TO his
hotel. Having paid his record, he set
out in the darkness and arrived with
out being molested.
The next day Wilcox sent note to
the father Of Marie that he would fur
nish the means to send the girl to
school The offer was accepted. and
she went for three years to convent,
at the end Of which time she married
and emigrated to America.
Wilcox at the request Of the girl who
had saveAhin did not report the mat.
ter to the police.