Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-01

to a little shrine which hung on the wall
She knelt before the figure of the Virgin
whispering a prayer. then lit a fresh can
die for her sisters pain and left the
room, partly closing the door behind her.
She had allowed the maid servant TO go
for the afternoon, and found upon exam
ination that the days marketing had
been neglected. There was still time.
however in which to secure some dell
cacy to tempt Vittoria's taste, so she
flung shawl over her dark hair and de-
scended softly to the street.
\ little earlier this same afternoon as
Norvin Blake sat at work in his ONCE
the telephone upon his desk pealed loud
". He seized the instrument with eager
haste. hoping for any news that would
relieve the tension upon his nerves, Ior
uncertainty as to MarutiiS whereabouts
had weighed heavily upon him. especially
in view of the possible danger TO the
woman he loved and to her devoted COM
panion The voice of O'Neil came over
the wire. full-toned and distinct: 49,.
Hello! Is this Blake? And then,
We've got Maruffi.''
when? Where?'' shouted Norvin.
Five minutes ago-at his own house.
johnson and Dean have been watching
the place. He went with them like a
lamb, too They've just phoned me that
they're all on their way here.
Good. Do you need me?'
NO See you later. Good-bye!'
The acting chief slammed up his re-
ceiver leaving his hearer' stunned at the
suddenness of this long-awaited denoue-
ment.
Maruffi taken! His race run! Then
this was the end of the fight A fero-
cious triumph flooded Norvin's brain.
With Belisario Cardi in the hands of the
law the spell OF the Malta was broken.
Savgno and Donnelly were as good as
avenged. He experienced an odd feeling
Of relaxation as If both his body and
brain were cramped and tired with wait
ing. Then, realizing that the countess
and Oliveta must have suffered an even
greater strain, lie set out at once TO
give them the news in person
AS he turned swiftly into Royal street
he encountered O'Connell, who. noting his
haste and something unusual in his bear
ing detained him to ask the cause.
Haven't YOU heard?'' exclaimed Nor
vim "Maruffi's captured at last
You don't mean it,
YES O'Neil told me over the wire not
ten minutes ago.
O'Connell fell into step with him, say
'And he came without fight? Lord!
I can't believe it,
Nor I. l expected trouble with him. -
Sure! l thought he was bad one.
| but that's the way it goes sometimes
| reckon he saw he had no chance The
officer shook his red head. Its just my
blamed luck to miss the fun. OCon-
nell was one of the few who had been
| first trusted with the news of Maruff s
! identity. and for the past fortnight he
had been casting high and low for the
Sicilian's trail. Ever since that October
night when he had supported Donnelly
| in his arms as the life ebbed from the
chief; ever since he had knelt on the
soft banquette with the sting of powder
smoke in his nostriis. he had been OBJ
sessed by a fanatical desire to be in at
the death of his friends murderers. He
| left Blake at his destination and hurried
on toward st. Philip street, in the vague
hope that he might not be too late to
take a hand in sonre part Of the proceed
ings.
| Blake's hand was upon Oliveta's bell
when the door opened and she confronted
him. Her start, her frightened cry, gave