Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-16
CHAPTER XI.-Continued.

Again the moments dragged. Again
Blake fought his usual weary battle. He
envied Donnelly his utter impassivity,
for the officer betrayed no more feeling
than II he were standing, rod in hand,
waiting for f-h to strike. An hour
passed, bringing no sign OF their men.
although stream Of passengers was fl
ing aboard and the piles of baggage were
diminishing. Norvin struggled with the
desire to voice his misgivings, which
were taking the form Of hopes; Donnelly
chewed tobacco, and occasionally spat
accurately at a knothole. His compan-
ion watched him curiously. Then, with
out warning. the chief stirred. and there
in the crowd Norvin suddenly saw the
tall figure OF Clan Narcone. with another
man-evidently Sicilian-beside him.
That's Corte,' Donnelly said, quietly.
The two watchers mingled with the
crowd, gradually drawing closer to their
quarry. But it seemed that Narcone re-
fused to go aboard with his friend-at
any rate he made no move in that d.
rection. The Philadelphia blew a warn
ing blast, the remaining passengers
but little baggage left now upon the
deck. and still the two Italians stood
talking volubly. Donnelly waited stolid-
ly nearby. never glancing at his man.
Blake held himself with an iron grip. al
though his heart throbs were choking
beginning to feel the strain, and Norvfn
began to fear that Donnelly would delay
too long.
At last the Pinkerton man stopped and
raised his valise then extended sa MS naI nano
Blake knew that the moment for &C
ton had come. and found that without
any exercise of will power he, too, was
closing in. His mind was working al
such high speed that time seemed to hai'
length Of Narcone before he spoke, then
he said. quietly:
'Ioing to leave the city, Sabella?'
"Eh?'' The Sicilian started, his eyes
leaped to the speaker and the smile died
from his heavy features. Recognizing
the officer, however, he pulled at the
visor of his cap and said, brokenly: NO,
no. signore. My friend goes
Come, now the chief said, grtmly.
"I want you to tell me something about
the Domenchino boy.
Narcone recoiled. colliding with Blake.
who instantly locked his arm within his
own. simultaneously DOnnelly seized MS
other wrist, repeating: You know who
stole the little Domenchino."
The tension which had leaped into the
giant muscles died away: Narcone shrug-
ged his shoulders, crying excitedly. in his
native tongue:
Before God, you wrong me-.
1t was the instant for which his captor
had planned. the ruse had worked: there
was deft movement on Donneilys part
something snapped metallically and the
manacles Of the law were upon the muir
derer of Martel Savigno.
1t had all been accomplished quietly,
quickly: even those standing nearby
hardly noticed it. and those who did were
unaware Of the significance Of the arrest.
But once his man was safely troned the
chiefs manner changed. and In the next
instant the prisoner caught, perhaps from
the eye of Corte. the stool pigeon, some
fleeing hint that he had been betrayed.
Following that came the suspicion that
he had been seized. not for completely in
the Domenchino affair. but for some
thing far more significant. With a furi-
Gus. snarling cry. he flung himself back
ward and raised his manacled hands to
strike.
But IT was too late for effective resist
ance. They took him across the gang
plank, screaming. struggling, biting like
sengers rushed to the rails above and
stared at them. and another crowd yelled
and hooted derisively from the dock.
A moment later they were In Corte's
stateroom. painting. grim. triumphant.
with their prisoners back against the
wall and their work was done.
Now that Narcone realized the decep-
ton that had been practiced upon him,
he began to curse his betrayer with IN
credible violence and fluency. AS yet he
had no idea whittier he was being taken.
nor for which Of his many crimes he had
been unprecedented. But 1t seemed as II
his rage would strange him. With the
unrestraint of lifetime Of lawlessness,
he poured out his passion in terrifying
rush Of vilif cation. anathema and threat:
He hurled himself against the walls OF
the stateroom as il to burst his way out.
and they were forced to clamp leg irons
upon him. When Donnefly had regained
his breath he savagely commanded the
fellow to be silent but Narcone only
shifted his fury from his betrayer to the
chief of police.
TO the Pfnkerton operative Donnelly
said gratefully:
s.That was good work, Corte. Wire me
from New York Well have to go now,
for the ship is clearing"
Waltz said Blake: then. pushing him.
self forward, he addressed the captive in
Italian:
Where is Belisario Cardi?'
The question came like a gunShot, 81
lencing the outlaw as if with q gag. His