The Spectator., 1915-06-04
CHAPTER IIl-continued.


 put Will not reveal the mystery of the Lola. Tt concerns woman"
 CHAPTER lIl-Continued.
 He thanked me profusely when consented to go with him.
 An, signor padrone!" he said grate- fully, "she will be so delighted. It is so very good of you"
 We hailed hanson and drove across Westminster bridge to the ad- dress he gave-a gloomy back street on the York road, one of those narrow, grimy thoroughfares into which the sun never shines.
 low-looking, evil.faced fellow opened the door to us and growled ac. quaintance with Olinto, who, striking a match. ascended the worn, carpetless stars before me, apologizing for pass ing before me, and saying in Italian:
 We live at the top, signore, because 1t Is cheaper and the air is better"
 Quite right" I said. Quite right. to on. And I thought I heard my cab driving away.
 IL was gloomy. forbidding, unlight- ed place into which 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- pied.
 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. a 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 ne drew the best chair forward for me. and dusted 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 its final stages.
 Olinto returned in a few moments. saying that his wife had evidently gone to do some shopping in the Lower Marsh.
 T hope you are not pressed for time, signore?" he said apologetically. But. of course, the poor girl does not know the surprise awaiting her. She will surely not be long"
 Then al'll wait" I said, and flung myself back into the chair he had brought forward for me.
 T have nothing to offer you, signor padrone." he said. with a laugh. T did not expect a visitor. you know"
 No. no, Olinto. I've only just had dinner. But tell me how you have fared since you left me-"
 "Ah!" he laughed bitterly. T had many ups and downs before I found myself here in London. The sea did not suit me-neither did the work. I managed to work my way from Genoa to London. My first place was scullion in. a restaurant in Tottenham Court road. Afterwards I went to the Milano and l hope to get into one of the big hotels very soon-or perhaps the grill. room at the Carlton"
 "I'il see what l can do for you" I said. "I 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. l 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 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 a low intense whisper: Do you al ways carry . revolver here in Eng land. as 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."
 "l don't understand" l said. feeling my handy Colt in my back pocket to make sure 1t was there.
 Forget what have said-all-all that have told you tonight. sir" he said. T have not explained the whole truth. You are in peril-in deadly peril!"
 "Hcw?" l exclaimed breathlessly. surprised at his extraordinary change of manner and his evident apprehen- siSn lest something should befall me.
 ''wait. and you shall see." he whis- psred. "But first tell me. signore. that you will forgive me for the part have played in this dastardly affair. l. like yourself. fell innoceptly into the hands e your snemies.'