Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1915-07-02
CHAPTER III-continued.

He thanked me profuseIy when
consented to go with him.
"Ah signor padrone!" he said CRATE
fully, "she will be so delighted 1t is
so very good of you"
We hailed hanson and drove
across Westminster bridge to the adj
dress he gaye-a gloomy back street
off the York road, one of those narrow,
grimy thoroughfares into which the
sun never shines.
A low-looking, evil-faced fellow
opened the door to us and growled &C
quaintance with Olinto, who, striking a
match assembled the worn, carpetless
stairs before me, apologizing for pass
ing before me, and saying in Italian:
I'VE live at the top, signore, because
1t is cheaper and the air is better"
Quite right" / said Quite right.
Go on" And l thought l heard my
cab driving away.
1t was a gloomy, forbidding, unlight-
ed place into which l would certainly
have hesitated to enter had not my
companion been my trusted servant,
but contrary to my expectations, the
sitting-room we entered on the top
floor was quite comfortably furnished.
clean and respectable, even though
traces of poverty were apparent. A
cheap lamp was burning upon the
table, but the apartment was unoccu-
tied.
Olinto, in surprise, passed into the
adjoining room, returning a moment
later eXclaiming: "Armida must have
gone out to get something. Or per-
haps she is with the people, compost
tor and his wife, who live on the floor
below. They are very good to her.
I'll go and find her. Accommodate
yourself with chair, signore." And
he drew the best chair forward for me,
and busted it with his handkerchief.
l allowed him to go and fetch her,
rather surprised that she should be
well enough to get about after all he
had told me concerning her illness. Yet
consumption does not keep people in
bed until it's final stages.
Oltnto returned in a few moments.
saying that his wife had evidently gone
to do some shopping in the Lower
Marsh
1 hope you are not pressed for time,
signore?" he said alphabetically. but,
OF course, the poor girl does not know
the surprise awaiting her. She will
surely not be long"
Then I'll wait" / said, and flung
myself back into the chair he had
brought forward for me.
i have nothing to offer you, signor
padrone," he said, with a laugh. II
did not expect visitor, you know"
mo, no, Olinto. I've only just had
dinner. But tell me how you have
Jared since you left me-"
Ali" he laughed bitterly. 81 had
many ups and downs before / found
myself here in London. The sea did
not suit me-neither did the work.
managed to work my way from Genoa
to London. My first place was scullion
in restaurant in Tottenham Court
road. Afterwards l went to the Milano.
and / hope to get into one of the big
hotels very soon-or perhaps the grill
room at the Carlton
IN see what | can do for you," |
said. Il know several hotel managers
who might have vacancy"
"Ah, signore!" ne cried, filed with
qualification. III you only would! A
word from you would secure me good
position. can work, that you know
and l do work. l will work-for her
sake.
Yes he said in hoarse voice, Ais
manner suddenly changing. "You have
tonight shown me. signore, that you
are my friend, and l will, in return.
show you that am yours" And sud-
denly grasping both my hands. he
pulled me from the chair in which
was sitting, at the same time asking
In low intense whisper: DO you al
ways carry a revolver here in Eng
iaad, rs you do In Italy"
Yes answered in surprise at his
action and his question. 'Why?"
Because there is danger here" he
answered in the same low earnest
tone. Get your weapon ready. You
may want it."
Y don't understand" said, feeling
my handy Colt in ny back pocket 10
make sure 1t was there.
Forget what / have said-all-an
that have told you tonight, sir. ne
said. II have not explained the wnoIe
truth. You are In peril-in deadly
PERIL"
"Hcw?" ! exclaimed breathlessiy'
surprised at his extraordinary change
o. manner and his evident apprenen>
sion lest something should befail me.
Wait, and you shall see" he WINS
Dered. "But first tell ne. signore. that
sou viii forgive me for the part ! have
clsred in this dastardly affair. !. Ike
yo4rself. fell innocently into the hands
Of your eLemiaA"