The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-08-13
tHAPTER ili-Continued.

ne thanked me profusely when I
consented to go with him.
An, signor padrone," he said prate.
'nliy' she will be so delighted. It is
30 very good of you"
we hailed a hanson and drove
across Westminster bridge to the ad.
aress ne gave-a gloomy back street
0'i the York road, one of those narrow.
grlmy thoroughfares into which the
sun never shines.
A loW-lOoking, evil,faced fellow
opened the door to us and growIed ac-
qualntance with Olinto, who, striking a
match' assembled the worn, carpetless
STAIRS before me, apologizing for pass
aug pe1ore me, and saying in Italian:
we live at the top. signore, because
Is cheaper and the air is better"
quite right" l said. Quite right.
10 on And thought | heard nv
cab driving away.
II was gloomy, forbidding, unlight.
cd place into which | would certainly
nave hesitated to enter had not my
companion been my trusted servant.
out contrary to my expectations. the
sittlng-room we entered on the ton
noor was quite comfortably furnished
ciean and respectable, even though
traces OF poverty were apparent A
cheap lamp was burning upon the
table, but the apartment was unoccu-
pied.
oAnto, in surprise, passed into the
aa1oihihg 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.
Ill go and find her. Accommodate
yourself with "a chair, signore." And
he drew the best chair forward for me.
and busted it with his handkerchief.
| 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. Ye.
consumption does not keep people in
bed until its final stages.
Ohnto returned in a few moments
saying that his wife had evidently gone
TO do some shopping in the Lower
Marsh.
Il hope you are. not pressed for time.
signore?" he said apologeticaIly. 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.
81 have nothing to offer you, signor
padrone," he said, with a laugh. 81
did not expect a visitor, you know"
. mo, no, Olinto. I've only just had
dinner. But tell me how you have
Jared since you left me-"
All" 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 a restaurant in Tottenham Court
road. Afterwards l went to the Milano,
and l hope to get into one of the big
hotels very sooner perhaps the grill
room at the Carlton"
III see what can do for you," |
said. Il know several hotel managers
who might have vacancy"
"Ah, signore" he cried, filled with
qualification. IF you only would! A
word from you would secure me good
position. can work, that you know
and | do work. | will work-for her
sake.
"Yes," he said in hoarse voice, his
manner suddenly changing. You have
tonight shown me, signore, that you
are my friend, and | 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
land, as you do in ltaly?"
Yes" l 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."
81 don't understand" said, feeling
my handy Colt in my back pocket to
make sure it was there.
Forget what | have said--all-all
that | have told you tonight, sir" he
said. Il have not explained the whole
truth. You are in peril-in deadly
periI!"
How" ! exclaimed breath!essly,
surprised at his extraordinary change
of manner and his evident apprehen-
sion lest something should befall me.
wait, and you shall see," he Whis
pered. But first tell me, signore, that
you will forgive me for the part | have
played in this dastardly affair. !, like
yourself, fell innocently into the hands
Of your enemies"