The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-12

, court this morning, that she did not | have chance to use the revolver In self defense When Lagno entered her room, she did not recognize him in time to be on her guard. The next instant he sprang upon her, drew the curved knife across her face in one vicious slash, and rushed through the doors and down the stairs.
 Mrs. Herman staggered to the win dow and fired the revolver once into the air, to attract attention. It had the desired effect and 8 crowd, sup posing that someone had been shot, and seeing Lagno running down the street, pursued him and chased him into the arms of Officer Bray, who had likewise heard the shot and was running up from Water street to see what was the occasion of it.
 Lagpo, when arrested, feigned in nocence and claimed that he was passing by the house at the time, to make some purchases in a market nearby. when he heard the shot. He away. That was the story that he told in his own defence in the city court this morning.
 Patrolman Jack Barton found the knife on the stairway of Mrs Her mans place. It is a hooked knife of the variety used in cutting linoIeum is an ugly and murderous weapon, the sharp blade and hooked end forming deadly combination. It bit deep in to Mrs. Herman's face, Slashing all
 
 end. The Emergency hospital ambu- lance was summoned immediately after the affair, which occurred short ly after D. m, and seven stitches were put into Mrs. Herman's wound.
 Tn the city court this morning trial was delayed by the non-appearance under $25 bonds as a witness. Bonds were furnished by her husband, a Port Chester saloon keeper. The prosecuting authorities at first feared a h FrG IaT~ hod csTaiT- ifc.I away, as had the girl Stella" but she appeared finally and explained her tardiness by the fact that she was too weak to get us.
 Swathed in bandages, with the un- injured portion of her face badly swollen from the effects of the wound, mony was clear and convincing. She told the story of the assault, and also the episode in the Waterbury cafe, when she was threatened after having induced the girl Stella" to come with her to live.
 The cut on Mrs. Herman's cheek is of the nature known as ''the Neapoli- tan slash" It is a diagonal cut from the corner of the mouth to the ear, and it's primary purpose is to disfigure the victim. This cut gets its name from the fact that it originated in Naples, Italy, in just such cases as the present one. The first cut is not intended to kill, but is considered both a punishment and warning for in the "buSiness'' of the procurers. If the victim takes it and learns lesson, well and good; but if the case is brought before the author itieS and the interference continues, a throat-cutting and a murder are sup posed to be the sequel. This peculiar gut is as well understood as any ''Black Hand' letter and is just as much of a death signal.
 After court, on advice of Prosecut- ing Attorney Delaney, Mrs. Herman was taken to St. Vincent's hospital, to receive proper treatment and to avoid possible blood poisoning or other dangerous outcomeS of her wound After the affair, her husband hasten ed to this city and has been with Mrs. Herman since then
 Police officers on the Water street beat say that the male flangers-on in | the district have all taken to their heels and the "tenderloin" is as clean as whistle, of their loathsome pres | ence.