Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-11-15
A Story of Love, Adventure
and Mystery By REX BEACH
THE NET"
Copuriohted. 1s1a. bv e. Beaeh.

saddle horse and went for gallop, think
ing in this way to blow some of the
tortured fancies out Of his mind, but he
did not succeed.
Despite his agitation, he ate a hearty
dinner-much as a condemned man de-
cours his last meal-but he could not
sleep. All night he alternately tossed
I'm his bed or paced his room restlessly,
his features working, his body shivering.
He breakfasted, however with an appar-
ent appetite that delighted his colored
servant, and as the clock struck 9 he
walked into Donnelly's Office, smoking
cigar which he did not taste
a haven't heard anything further
from COrte, so Wen go down to the
dock" the chief Informed him.
On the way TO the river front.
Blake continued to smoke silently. Civ
ing a careful ear to Donnellys final
, directions. When they reached their
destination he waited while Dan went
aboard the ship in search of the cap
tain.
Along the levee stretched rows Of
craft from every port, big black ocean
liners, barques and brigantines, fruit
steamers from the tropics, and tra-
mendous flotilla Of flat-nosed river
steamers, with their huge lows of
barges. The caYernous sheds that
, thunder Of rumbling trucks. of clank
ing winches. of stamping hoofs, while
through and above it all came the
cries and songs of a multitude OF
roustabouts and deck hands. Down the
gangways Of the philadelphia" thin,
continuous line of dusky truckmen was
moving. A growing chaos of trunks
and smaller baggage on the dock indi-
Gated that her passenger list was
heavy.
Blake watched the shifting scene
with little interest. now and then cast
ing an unseeing eye over the ramparts
OF cotton bales near by: but although
he was outwardly calm, his palms were
cold and wet and his mind was work
ing with a panicly swiftness.
DOnnelly appeared with the assur-
ance that all was arranged with tle
ships master, and taking their stand
where they could observe what went
on they settled themselves to wait.
Again the moments dragged. Again
Blake fought bis usual weary battle.
He invited Donhelly his utter impassiy-
ity, for the officer betrayed no more
feeling than If he were standing, roo
in hand, waiting for a fish to strike.
An hour passed. bringing no sign
their men, although a stream of pas
sengers was filing aboard and the piles
of baggage were diminishing. Norvin
struggled with the desire to vote mis-
misyfvings which were taking the form
OF hopes; Donnelly chewed tobacco. ana
occasionally spat accurately az knot
hole His companion watched him Gu
riously Then, without warning, me
chief stirred, and there in the crowd
Norvin suddenly saw the tall figure of
Clan Narcone. with another man-evl-
IDENTIFY Sicilian-beside him.
\
The two watchers mingled with the
crowd, gradually drawing closer to
their quarry. But it seemed that Mar
cone refused to go aboard with mis-
friend-at any rate he made on move III
that direction. The philadelphia
blew a warning blast, the remaining
passengers auickened their movements,
there was but little baggage left now
upon the deck, and still the two Ital-
ians stood talking volubly. Donnelly
waited stolidly near. by, never glanc-
ing at his man. Blake held himselr
with an iron grip although his heart
throbs were choking him. 1t was plain
that Corte also was beginning to isel
the strain. and Norvin began to FEAR
that Donelly would delay too long.
At last the Pinlxerton man stopped
and raised his valise, then extended bis
hand to the MafiOso. Donnelly edged
closer.
Blake knew that the moment for &C
ton had come, and found that without
any exercise of will power he, too, was
closing in His mind was working at
such high speed that time seemed to
halt and wait. Donnelly was within
arms length OF Narcone before he spoke;
then he said quietly:
Going to leave the city, Sabella?'
"Eh?" The Sicilian started, his eyes
leaped TO the speaker. and the smile died
from his heavy features Recognizing
the officer, however, he pulled at the
visor OF his cap and said brokenly: mo,
no. Signore. My friend goes"
Come, now" the chief said grimly. ST
want you TO tell me something about the
Domenchino boy"
Narcone recoiled, colliding with Blake,
Who instantly locked his arm within his
own simultaneously Donnelly seized his