The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-06-21
Going to the Masque Ball.

"HAT night | could not sleep,
and. indeed. | had enough to
think about as l lay in my
troubled bed.
Now / remembered with Joy that
strange smile Of Jacqueline's, a smile
as vague and inscrutable as the i'm
mortal smile on the lips of the divine
Gioconda. that withholds so much. My
dear Jacqueline had promised that she
would not pledge herself to the duke
for a week. That assurance was in
tinitely heartening. But | had made
my promise before the duke, and so it
was but a foolish boast, after all. If
he had been villain enough to attempt
to impose upon her in this way he was
quite capable of setting spies at my
heels who would dog my every move
ment for the neXt eventful few days.
That would make my promise more
difficult of achievement. However. the
words were spoken. There was moth
ing for it now but to bend every effort
TO find the casket. l must make good
my word at all costs.
If the casket were actually in exist
ence and in Venice | would do that,
be the difficulties what they might.
The foppish mantle of the dilettante
had slipped off my willing shoulders.
| was aroused at last. We should see
now who was the better man-this
Latin with feline, sheathed claws or
the Anglo-Saxon with bulldog grip.
When | knew that sleep vas quite
impossible l put on my dressing gown
and went into the sitting room to read.
But it was impossible for me to keep
my attention on the book. | threw
open the heavy shutters and looked
out.
The lights of Venice the mysterious
glowcd dimly in the distance. The
newly risen moon shone on campanile,
dome and spire. Here and there Il
gondola, a black speck in a lake of
silver, drifted slowly by. | heard the
splash of the oars, the fragment of a
song. Then my attention was drawn
to the Fundamental Immediately beneath
my window by the sharp, persistent
bark of Il dog.
A white poodle was leaping in an
ecstasy of joy mt its master, who was
doing his utmost to quiet the beast.
He cursed the dog volubly by the evil
spirits of his father and grandfather
and all his numerous relations and an
ccstors. At first this little scene only
amused me. but my idle amusement
gave way to an eager interest when
presently | heard my name mentioned.
Leaning far out | saw that Pietro, my
gondolier, was conversing with the
dogs master. | tried in vain TO hear
what they were talking about. but al
most Immediately the dog and his mas
ter skunk down the quay. hugging the
shadow of the wall. | had not seen
the fellows face. but something in his
gait seemed familiar. l whistled to at
tract Pietro's attention and beckoned
to him. Before he had entered my
room | had made up my mind that
knew who this prowler was. l WAS
convinced that il was none other than
the dukes servant. whom st. Hilary
and | had seen that night the duke had
paid his memorable visit to my rooms.
''Pietro,' | said. looking at him stead
lily. II nave had you in my service ever
since you left the ~penitentiary a few
rods down the quay. 1t was an affair
of stabbing. | believe"
Pietro nodded with unblushing coun-
tenance.
YES, monsignore. it was an affair of
stabbing. But that l was innocent as