The Green Forest tribune., 1915-08-06
CHAPTER IlI-Continued

~O'iSCliS q woman
 CHAPTER IlI-continued.
 lio thanked me profusely when I consented to go with him.
 Ah' signor padrone!" he said ora+a- luily' She will be so delighted It is so very good of you"
 we nailed a hanson and drove acfoSs Westminster bridge to the ad. uiess ne gaye-a gloomy hack streo+ OH the York road, one of those narrow sil"y thoroughfares into which the sun never shines.
 A low-looking, evil.faced fellow opened the door to us and growled ac. qudihtance with Olinto, who. strikino . match, ascended the worn. carnetlass stars before me, apologizing for pass. 'ne pelore me, and saying in Italian: :. we i've at the top, signore. because It IS cheaper and the air is better"
 Qulte right" I said Quite right 1o on. And I thought I heard mv cab driving away.
 It was gloomy, forbidding, unlight- ca place into which would certainly nave hesitated to enter had mt mv companion been my trusted servant put contrary to my expectations the sl''iils-foom we entered on the top hoor was quite comfortably furnished cieah ana respectable, even though traces or poverty were apparent. A cheap lamp was burning upon the table, but the apartment was unoccu. pied.
 Ollhto, Tn surprise, passed into the aoJolnlng room, returning moment iater' exclalming: "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. HI go and find her. Accommodate yourself with chair, signore." And ne drew the best chair forward for me. and dusted it with his handkerchief.
 1 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 I'll wait," I said, and flung myself back into the chair he had brought forward for me.
 q have nothing to offer you, signor padrone," he said, with laugh q did not expect 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 q 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 I hope to get into one of the big hotels very soon-or perhaps the grill room at the Carlton"
 'I'll see what 1 can do for you," said. T know several hotel managers who might have vacancy"
 hn Uith qualification. If you only would! A word from you would secure me good nosition. 1 can work, that you know and I do work I will work-for her sake.
 "Yes," he said in hoarse voice, his manner suddenly changing. You have tonight shown me, signore, that you arc my friend, and I will, in return, show you that I am yours.' And sud denly grasping both my hands, he nulled me from the chair III which was sitting. at the same time asking in a low intense whisper; Do you al ways carry a revolver here ln Eng land, as you do in Italy
 "Yes" answered in surprise at ms action and his question. "Why|
 Because there is danger here' ne answered in the same low earnest tone Get your weapon ready. You may want 1t.
 q don't understand" l sald' feelins my handy Colt in my back pocket to make sure it was there. T
 Forget what I have said-aii-ai' thai have told you tonight, ST. ne said q have not explained the wno,e truth You are in peril-in deaoiy peril!" .,,oos,v
 "How?" I exclaimed breathiessis' at his extraordinary change of manner and his evident appreheh- stnn lest something should befall me
 "Wait, and you shall see," he wnis nored "But first tell me, signore' that won will forgive me for the part nave rave nlaved in this dastardly affair. l. hke vonrself fell innocently into the hanos of your enemies" |