Evening star., 1912-09-10
! THE NET. ]
: By REX BEACH. )
- By
CHAPTER VII.-Continued.


Very we'll, I'll speak to him, and
meanwhile, here is something to please
YOU" Norvin handed the old ruffian a
gold coin. greatly to his delight.
He retraced his steps to the village,
where the notary confirmed practically
all the old man had said. but declared
positively that the contessa and her ad-
mirable aunt we're travelling for pleasure.
What else would take them abroad p
he inquired. Nothing! I have the honor
to look after the CASTILLO during their alb
sence and the rents from the land are
placed in the bank at Messina.''
when do you expect them to return
Privately. signore. I do not expect
them to return at all. That shocking
tragedy preyed upon the poor child s
mind until she could no longer endure
Terranova. She Is highly sensitive. you
know; everything spoke Of Martel Sa-
vigno What more natural than for her
to wish never to see 1t again? She con-
suited me once regarding sale of all the
lands, and only last week some men
came with a letter from the bank at
Messina.
Tell me-Cardi was never found?"
for me, 1 have never believed there was
all knew him. but he has not been heard
from since that terrible night which we
both remember Now, this Cardi, well
he is imaginary. If he were flesh and
blood the carabinierf would have certain
1y caught him-there were enough OF
them. Per Baccho! You never saw the
like Of 1t. They were thicker than fixes.
Ay,l l,,'t oofC NQrNsnoo q
and he's real enough
True acknowledged the notary,
thoughtfully. II never thought of 1t In
that light Perhaps there is such a per-
son, after all. But why has no one ever
seen him?"
where is Col. Neri?"
He is stationed at Messina. Perhaps
he could tell you more than l.
Dismayed, yet not entirely discouraged
by what he had learned, Blake caught
the first train back to Messina and that
evening found him at Neris rooms. The
colonel was delighted to see him, but
could tell him little more than Aliandro
or the notary.
''Do you really believe the countess left
Sicily to travel?" Blake asked him.
ITO you l will confess that l do not
We know better than that, you and l.
She was working constantly. from the
time you left for America until her own
departure. but / never knew what she
we did I am certain, and 1t is my opinion
that she found the trail OF Cardi.
Then. you're not like the others. You
still believe there is such a person.
Whether he calls himself Cardi OF
something else makes no difference: there
has been an intelligence of a high order
at work among the Mafiosi and the
bandittf of this neghboThood for many
years. The fact that we have been work
ing so long without result would indicate
- fn11 IN nno
dares betray him. even at the price of a
fortune. I believe him to be some man
of affairs. some well fed and respected
merchant. or banker. perhaps, the knowl-
edge 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;
doubt it. Clan Narcone has fled; that
much L know
Indeed"
Yes, The pursuit became hot-we did
not rest. / do not see, even yet, how we
failed to capture him. We apprehended
a number whom we knew We're in the
band. although we have no evidence con-
Meeting them with that particular out
rage. Narcone went to Naples. He may
he there now, he may be in any part Of
America, for all I know. And this mys-
terious Cardi is probably with him. 1t is
my hope that we have frightened them
off the island for all time.
Thanks, We're having trouble enough
with our own Italians. as 1T is
You at least have more room than
we. But now, before we go further, you
must tell me about yourself, about your
Norvin shook his head gravely. Il ar
rived in time to see her, to be with her
at the last. that is all
Il am indeed full Of sympathy said
the soldier 'Tt 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 ] was needed
here; J knew the countess was In want
of some one to lean upon. I came at the
first opportunity. butt seems am too
late. I am afraid Neri-afraid for her.
God knows what she may do
God knows" agreed the soldier: Il
pleaded with her; tried to argue
But surely she can't absolutely dfsap-
pear 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
abouts?"
'.If so. she has instructed them to con-
ceal It."
Nevertheless. shall go there in the
morning and also to her cousins Will
you help me?'
"Of course!' Neri regarded the young
man curiousy for an instant. then said:
"You will pardon this question, / hope.
but since she has taken such pains to
conceal herself, do you think 1t wise to
To-
ITO force myself upon Her? I don't
know whether It Is wise or foolish: all I
know is that I must find her. l must.
I'm afraid to let her follow this quest
Of hers 1t may lead her into something
very bad. for she has unlimited capa-
bilities for good or evil. l had hoped to-
to 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. /
have always loved her. even though I am
old enough to be her father. and ! would
give my life to see her-well. to see her
help YOU find her If / could. but am a
soldier. I am chained to my post. l am
poor
"Jove, You're mighty decent" said the
American. with an odd breathlessness.
But do you think she could ever forget
Martel?"
"she is not yet twenty
do you think there is any possibility
Of my winning her? 1 thought so once.
but lately I have been terribly doubtful
II should say it will depend largely
upon your finding her. We are not the
only good men who will love her: They
sailed from here to Naples on the trail
of Narcone, that much I believe is rea-
sonably certain. / will give you letter
to the police there and they will help
you"
Failing to learn anything definite at the