Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-16
CHAPTER XII.
La Malta.

The surprising ease with which the
capture Of Narcone had been effected
gratiied Norvin Blake immensely, for II
gave him an opportunity to jeer at the
weaker side Of his nature. He told him.
self that the incident went to prove what
his saner judgment was forever saying
that fear depends largely upon the power
OF INSTALLATION, that danger is real only
in SO far as the mind sees 1t. Moreover,
the admiration his conduct aroused was
balm to his soul. His friends congratu-
lated him warmly, agreeing that he and
Donnelly had taken the only practical
means to rid the community of a menace
In our southern and western states
where individual character stands fol-
more than 1t does in the over-legalized
communities Of the north and east, men
are concerned not SO much with red tape
as with effects, and hence there was lit
tie disposition to criticise.
Blake was amazed to discover what a
strong public sentiment the Italian out
,rages had awakened. New Orleans, it
seemed. was not only indignant. but
alarmed.
His complacency received a sudden
shock. however, when Donnelly strolled
into his Office a few days later, and
without a word laid a letter upon his
desk. 1t ran as follows:
Daniel Donnelly, chief of police, New
Dear sir: God be praised that Clan
Narcone has gone to his punishment!
But you have incurred the everlasting
enmity of the Mala Vita. or what you
term La Malta. and it has been decided
that your life must pay for his. You are
to be killed next Thursday night at the
Red Wing Club. 1 cannot name those
upon whom the choice has fallen. for
that is yelled in secrecy.
II pray that you will not ignore this
warning for If you do your blood will
rest upon ONE WHO KNOWS.
"P.s.-Destroy this letter"
The color had receded from Norvin' s
face when he looked up to meet the
God" he exclaimed. This = looks
bad. doesn't it,"
you think it's on the level''
Don't your"
Donnelly shrugged. I'm blessed If /
know. It may have come from the very
gang Tn after. It strikes me that they
wanted to get rid of Narcone, but didn't
know just how to go about 1t. SO used
me for an instrument. Now they want
to scare me off.
"But-he names the very place; the
very hour"
Sure! everything, except the very dago
who is to do the killing! If he knew
where and when, why wouldn't he know
how and who?"
'I-that sounds reasonable. and yet
you are not going to the Red Wing Club
any more, are you?"
why not? I've got until Thursday
and-I like their coffee. Here Is the other
letter. by the way" Donnelly produced
the first communication. The paper was
identical and the type appeared to be the
same. Beyond this Norvin could make
out nothing.
"Wellr' Dan exclaimed. when they had
exhausted their conjectures. They've
set their date and l reckon they won't
change it, so I'm going to eat dinner to-
night at the Red Wing as usual, just to
see what happens
After a brief hesitation Norvin said.
'rd like to join you. If you don't mind"
Donnelly shook his gray head doubt
fully. "I don't think you'd better. This
may be on the square"
II think it is, and therefore intend to
see you through"
"suit yourself. Of course. I'd like to
have you go along. but I don't want to
get you into any fuss"
(To be Col. inued tomorrow