Evening star., 1912-09-17
CHAPTER XII-Continued.

CHAPTER XII.-Continued.
Seven o'clock that evening found the
two friends dining at the little cafe In
the foreign quarter but they were seated
at one OF the corner tables and their
backs were toward the wall
I've had my reasons for eating here.
and 1t wasn't altogether the coffee,
either" the elder man confessed.
II suspected as much,'' Norvin told
him. AT least I couldn't detect any
thing remarkable about this Rio
You see. it's a favorite hangout OF the
better Italian class, and I've been work
ing 1t carefully for a year.
What have you discovered?"
Not much and yet a great deal I've
made friends, for one thing. and that's
considerable Here comes one now. You
know him. don't you? Dan indicated a
thick-necked. squarely built Italian, who
had entered at the moment. That's
Caesar Maruffi."
Norvin regarded the newcomer with
interest, for Maruffi stood for what is
best among his Americanixed country
men. Moreover. IL rumor spoke true. he
was one OF the richest and most fnfiu-
entail foreigners in the city. In answer
to the chiefs invitation. he approached
and seated himself at the table. accept
ing his Introduction to Blake with a smile
and q gracious word.
'.Ah! It is my first opportunity to
thank you for the service you have done
us in arresting that hateful brtgand,' he
began
ibid you know the fellow?' Norvin
queried.
VERY we'll, indeed
"Maruffi knows a whole lot II he'd only
open up. He's a Mafioso himself, eh
Caesar" the chief laughed.
mo. no!' the other exclaimed, casting
a cautious glance over his shoulder. II
tell you everything I learn. But as for
this Sabella-I thought him trifle suflen,
perhaps. but an honest fellow"
You don't really think there has been
any mistake?"
not Signore Blake remember him?" Nor
vim was about to disclaim his part in the
affair. but the speaker ran on:
II fear you must regard all us Italians
as AIafloso, Signore Blake. but 1t Is not
SO. No! We are honest people. but We
are terrorized by a few bad men. We
do not know them. signore. We are rob-
bed, We are blackmailed. and IL We re-
sist-behold! Something unspeakable be-
falls us. We do not know who deals the
ed and that some day we-sre buried"
Maruff1 shrugged his square shoulders
eXpreSSfvely.
do you suffer in your business?' Nor
Per Dio. Who does not? have
adopted your free country. signore. but
it is not SO free as my own. Maledetto!
You have too damned many laws in this
free America"
Marufn spoke hesitatingly and yet with
wickedly, and it was plain that he sound
ed the note of revolt which was rising
from the law-abiding Italian element
His appearance bore out his reputation
for leadership, for he was big and black
and dour. and he gave the impression OF
unusual force.
Your home is in Sicily. is 1t not?"
Blake inquired.
''si! I come from Palermo"
Il have been there"
81 remember" said Marufh, calmly.
Donnelly broke in:
''What do you hear regarding our cap
ture of Sabella?'
"Eh?'
"How do they take it?''
Again Maruffi shrugged. How can
they take it? My good cOuntrymen are
delighted: others. perhaps. not SO We'll
pleased"
But ISABELLA has friends. I suppose
they've marked me for revenge?'
mo- doubt! But what can they do?
You are the law With q private citizen,
with me. for instance. 1t would be diff
ferent Ny wife would prepare herself
for widowhood.''
''How's that! You're not married.,
said Donnelly.
Not yet. But I have plans. A fine
Sicilian girl"
Good! 1 congratulate YOU"
Speaking of Sabella." Blake inter-
posed. curiously. Il had hand in talk
ing him and I'm private citizen"
"True!" Marufh regarded him with his
impenetrable eyes.
You predict trouble for me. then?"
81 predict nothing. We say In my
country that no one escapes the Malta.
No doubt we are timid. You are an
American. you are not easily frightened.
But tell me''-he turned to the chief OF
police-"who is to follow this brigand?
There are others quite as black as he,
if they were known.
mo doubt! But unfortunately l don't
know them. Why don't you help me out,
Caesar?"
"If 1 could. You have no suspicious.
eh?"
Plenty of suspicious. but no proofs"
Maruffi turned back to Norvin. saying
$50. you identified the murderer OF your
friend Savigno. Madonna mia! You
have a memory! but were you not
afraid?'
Afraid of what?'
"Ah. You are American, as / said be-
fore; you fear nothing. But 1t was Bell
sario Cardi who killed the Count Of Mar
tinello.''
"BelisariO Cardi is only a name" said
Norvin. guardedly
.'True.' Marufi agreed. Being Pal
ermitan myself he is real to me, but. as
you say, nobody knows"
He rose and shook hands cordially with
both men. When he had Joined the
group of Italians at nearby table Don
nelly said:
'There's the whitest dago in the city.
thought he might be the One Who
Knows but I reckon I was mistaken.
He could help me. though. If he dared"
''Have you confided in him?"
Lord. no! I don't trust any OF them.
Say! The more think about that letter.
the more I think it's bluff."
"You can't afford to ignore II"
"Of course not. I'll plant OConnell
and another man outside Thursday night
and see if anything suspicious turns up,
but I'll take my dinner elsewhere"
The two men had finished their meas
when Bernie Dreux strolled In and took
the seat which Maruffi had vacated.
well! How goes your detecting.
Bernie?" Norvin inquired.
sharply that his hearers started. He
winked mysteriously and they saw he
was bursting with important tidings.
There's something doing!
what is it?" demanded the chief. But
Mr.. Dreux answered nothing. Instead.
he lit cigarette and. as he raised the