Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-11-05

a fraction Of second he had deter
mined that a man was behind him
with his right hand raised and holding
a dagger.
"Senora!' cried the American sharp
ly. calling to the woman who had
served the wine.
The shadow flickercd and disap-
peared
There was no reply to the summons.
and the young man called again:
Sonora
Presently the woman, yawning.
Vame slowly into the room.
81 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 check.
get it cashed by the landlord and bring
me the money!"
"Yes, senior. but you can as well pay
for the wine when you come for
more"
NO sonora; so away early in the
morning to Naples. Besides. there are
other payments ] wish to make down
here among you good people l in
tended to bring money, but forgot it,"
Every well. senor. II you desire it
will send my son. He Is In bed. but
can awaken him"
Wilcox took a blank check from his
portmanteau and filled check for
500 Ira $100 and wrote on the back
Of II a request to the landlord Of his
hotel to send him the money 1t called
for by bearer. Then he gave 1t to
the landlady. and. ordering another
he made 1t 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 ap-
propriate 1t. There was still another
possibility. The landlord might sur
mise that his guest had been cornered
and required the money for II ransom.
In this event he might have the mes
senger shadowed on his return by
policeman
Wilcox realized the fact that he was
at the fishers village near II o'clock at
night where 1t 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 reappearance 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 a sharp point. He
grasped it and for the first time since
be had seen the shadow drew breath
Of relief. So far as he knew. no one
saw him take the knife. and. conceal.
ing 1t 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
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 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 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, II he did
come, that he would have the money
with him. He was not thinking Of his
500 Ira, which he wonld 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 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.
u 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.
l did not believe Giovanni would rob.
but I thought 1t 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 great difference.
The matter being explained. Wilcox
fost 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.
Tho Davt dow WiIcOx sent n nOto tn