Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-11-01
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there has been an intelligence Of high
order at work among the Mafiost and
the banditti OF this neighborhood for
years. The fact that we have been
working so long without result would in
dictate that he is no common fellow.
No one dares betray him. even at the
price of a fortune. 1 believe him to be
some man of affairs, some well-fed and
respected merchant, or banker perhaps,
the knowledge OF whose identity would
cause a commotion such as Etna causes
when she turns over in her sleep"
THAT was Ricardo's belief, you re-
member"
yes. I have many reasons for think
ing he was right but / have no proof
Cardi may still be in Sicily, although /
doubt It. Clan Narcone has fled; that
much know"
'Tndeed?"
sYesl The pursuit became hot-we
ala not restl ] do not see, even yet,
how we failed TO capture him. We ap-
pretended a number whom we knew
we're in the band, although We have no
tevidence connecting them with that par
ticular outrage. Narcone went 20 Ma
pies. He may be there now, he may be in
any part Of italy. or he may be in even
your own America, for all know. Ana
this mysterious Card is probably with
him. 1t is my hope that we have fright
ened them off the island for all time.
And sent them TO my country!
Thanks! We're having trouble enough
with our own Italians, as it is"
You, at least. have more room than
we. But now, before we go further,
you must tell me about yourself, about
your mother"
Norvin shook his head gravely. II
arrived in time to see her. to be with
her at the last, that is all"
IT am indeed full of sympathy" said
the soldier. "It is no wonder you could
not return to Sicily as soon as you had
planned"
everything conspired to hold me
back. Yet all the time I knew I was
needed here; I knew the countess was
in want of some one TO lean upon. l
seems I am too late. I am afraid,
Neri-afraid for her. God knows what
she may do"
God knowsP agreed the soldier. II
pleaded with her; 1 tried to argue"
But surely she can't absolutely dis
appear. in this fashion. She will have
to make herself known sooner or later"
I'm not so certain. Her affairs are
in good shape and Terranova is for
sale.
Doesn't the bank know her where
aboutsy'
IF so, she has instructed them to
conceal it."
Nevertheless I shall go there in the
morning and also to her, cousins. Will
you help meT'
"Of courser' Neri regarded the
young man curiously for an instant
then said: You viii pardon this ques-
ton. I hope. but since she has taken
such pains to conceal herself. do you
think IT wise Toto"
ITO force myself upon her? I don't
know whether il is wise or foolish; all
know is that must find her. 1 mustI
I'm afraid to let her follow this quest
OF hers; ii may lead her into some
thing-very bad, for she has unlimited
capabilities for good or evil. 1 had
hoped too show her that God had
willed her TO be happy. You see, Neri,
I loved her even when Martel was
alive"
The colonel nodded. Il guessed as
much. All men love her, and there lies
her DANGER love her also, signore. 1
have always loved her. even though 1
am old enough to be her father, and
would give my life to see her-well, to
see her your wife. YoR understand
me? would help you find her If /
could. but am a soldier am chained
to my post I am poor"
love! You're mighty decent" said
ness. But do you think she could ever
forget MarteI?"
"she is not yet twenty"
DO you think there is any POSSIBLE
ity OF my winning her? I thought so
once. but lately 1 have been terribly
doubtful"
It should say it viii depend largely
upon your finding her. We are not the
only good men who viii love her. They
sailed from here TO Naples on the trail
Of Narcone. that much believe is rea-
sonably certain. I will give you a let
ter TO the police there. and they will
help you"
Failing to learn anything definite at
the bank or from Margherita's cousins,
Norvin FASTENED TO Naples and there
took up his inquiry. He presented his
letter. but the police could find no trace
OF the woman and finally told him that
they must have passed through the city
without stopping. perhaps on their way
20 Rome. So to Rome he went, and
there met a similar discouragement
Still he reasoned that IL Cardi and Mar
cone had fed their own island, they
would be unlikely to seek utterly for
eign land. but would probably go where
their own tongue was spoken, hence
the countess was doubtless in some Of
the Italian cities. When several weeks
had been spent without result he widen
ed the scope Of his efforts and appealed
TO the police Of all the principal cities
Of southern Europe.
Two months had crept by before word
came from Colonel Neri which put an
end to his futile campaign. The bank,
I it seemed. had received a letter from
the countess. written In New York. II
was merely a request to perform GER
tain duties and contained no return ad-
dress. but it sent Norvin Blake home
ward on the first ship.
CuADTED VIII