Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-15
, A Story Of Love, Adventure
and Mystery By REX BEAcH

| DIlSGu 10 nllu II 4dNp AAAOuCA VI GA
American repeating rifle. francesca
! he called loudly Madonna, mia, l
am. famishedP
I Francesca was here a moment ago"
Norvin volunteered. I'm a frightful
temper, too
"Just so! 1t was the wood, pre-
sumo" The speaker scowled. "One
cannot be in ten places unless he is in
ten pieces. am glad to be here, and
not here and there
well. she wants you roasted by
some fellow named Cardi-
"Eh! what?" Ippolito started. jerk
ing the horses head by the bride rein
through which he had thrust his arm
what is this?'
"Belisario Cardi. / believe she said.
I don't know him"
! The Sicilian muttered an oath and
disappeared into the stable; he was still
scowfing when he emerged.
Prompted by a telling that he was
close to something mysterious, Blake
tried to sound the fellow.
You are abroad early" he suggested.
But Ippolito seemed IN no mood for
conversation, and merely replied:
Isl, signor, quite early"
He was a lean. swarthy youth,
square-jawed and wen put up. AL
/ AAlOh6h AAA1 NAONhSS were pOOAB ne WI
them with a certain grace and moved
/ like man who is sure of himself
Did you see any robbers?"
/ Robbers" Ippolito's look was one
Of quick suspicion. Who has ever seen
a robber?"
. Come. come! heard the count and
Ricardo talking. You nave been away
among the orange. groves all night. Am
/ 1 right?' ~@@
| !. ssTo,,- - I'll. -.
Tell me. is it common thieves or
outlaws, whom you wateh?' have
heard about your brigands." ."#s'
"Ippolitor' came the harsh voice OF
4 Ricardo who at that moment appeared
around the corner of the stable. I'm
the kitchen you will find food"
| Ippolito bowed and departed, his rifle
beneath his arm. SIX. f'.s --
/ Blake turned his attention to the
overseer for his mind, once filed with
an idea, was not easily satisfied. Ricardo
raised his bushy gray eyebrows at the
Americans question. .- - -
"Brigands? Ippolito is a great liar"
| Seeing the angry sparkle. in the old
fellows eyes. Norvin FASTENED to say;
4 He told me nothing. 1 assure you"
Thieves, yes! We have ladri here, as
elsewhere. Sometimes it is well to take
precautions" t-s at,> 81:
But Francesca was quite excited,
4 and l heard you and Mariel mention La
Malta last night" Blake persisted. Il
see you all go armed. 1 am naturally
curious. / thought you might be in
/ trouble with the society"
"Children's tales!" said Ricardo gruff-
/ ly There is no society of La Malta.
In Naples 1 hear there is a Camorra-
But this is Sicily. We have no socie-
ties"
thing about Mafosi last night" Blake
insisted.
Perhaps" grudgingly admitted the
overseer But La Malta is not a man,
not society. as you say. It is
He made a wide gesture. cit is all
Sicily. You do not understand"
mo. do not ,-.
VERY we'll One does not speak Of
itg Would the signore care to see the
horses?"- .-..a.- stz+ ....
Thank you. yes!"
The two went Into the stables to-
gether and Blake for the time gave up
| the hone of learning anything further
about Sicilian brigandage, Nor did
Martel show any willingness to enlight-
en- him when he tentatively introduced
II c subject at breakfast, but laughing
ly turned the conversation into another
channel. After a time, however, he
said ,.-
II trust you can amuse yourself this
morning. without me. for 1 must ridG
down to San Sebastiano and meet the
colonel Of carbineers from Messina."
Certainly"
Martel hesitated an instant, then ex-
planned:
1T is matter of business. One of
Try farm hands is in prison"
Indeed! What for?"
'oh. it is nothing He killed a fellow
last week"
"Jovel' What peaceful, pastoral
place you have here! arrive to be
met at the train by an armed guard;
I-hear talk of Mafiosi; men ride out at
night with rifles, and old women pre-
dict unspeakable evil. What is all this
Ecystery?'' .I g..t
''Nonsensei There is no mystery. Do
you think I would drag you, my best
friend, into danger?" +. :. ...... $50.
$50, that's It'll Now I know you have
something on your mind" .-..
you are right. the count suddenly
declared, although 1 hoped you would
not discover t. might have known.
Have you ever heard of-Belisario
Cardi?'' 49, -ts... ..,- s..
= mot until this morning. Who is he?"
81 would give much to know. If you
had asked me a month ago would have
said he is an imaginary character, used
to brighten people, modern Fra Di-
avolo mere name with which to in
spire terror-for nobody has ever seen
him"
do you think differently now?"
Yes, and no. You have inquired
about La Malta. Well, there is such a
thing. 1t killed my father. 1t forced
me to give up my home and be an exile.
1t is no sect, no cult, no secret body of
assassins, highwaymen, and robbers,
as you foreigners imagine; IT is a ma
tional hatred Of authority. an individu-
al expression of superiority to the law.
1 do not mean to deny that We have
outlawry and brigandage; they are
merely the most violent demonstra lion
of La Malta. MY father was not strong
enough to throw off the yoke, and 1t
meant his death. / was too young to
take his place, but now that 1 am
man I intend to play a mans part and
have served notice. 1t means battle,
but shall win"
Blake listened with the greatest in
terest. noting the grave determination
that had settled upon his friend.
And one man has already been killed.
you say?"
Yes. discharged all my men whom
I knew to be Mafiosi. 1t caused COM
motion, 1 can tell you. A week ago one
of nv. camnieri. PaolO-he who is now