The Washington times., 1918-03-25


who had prepared this plot. Her
voice shook little, but she ksve no
indication of fear. She must settle
with these men at once.
"Ah, that Is better. Milady IL
ready to talk sensible" Pletro
brought forward a wooden chair.
which he carefully busted with his
red pocket handkerchief. I'VE do
not wish any unpIeasantness-eh
Antonio? Milady Lillian and l have
understood each other in the past;
think we can quickly come to
terms"
His voice was not without refine
ment. He was hardly the type. OF a
WorkinEman, for his hands were
well formed and slender. and he
wore rings upon at least two of his
fingers. His face was narrow. but
the features were well cut and Gu
riously aIistocratic contrasted with
his clothes and general demeanor.
Il don't know what your object
may be in bringing me here upon a
useless errand, Pietro Rennir" LII
liam said testify. "but l suppose you
do not forget that il you know a
good deal about me. !, too. could IL
] wished. give information which
would make things very unpleasant
for YOU. They hang people in this
country. though they may not do so
in Italy" she added, viciously.
Pietro Wanted to Go to Italy.
Il fear not that" replied Pietro.
with his ugly smile. "for you value
your reputation too much to talk.
milady. Besides. you do not get
the chance. 1 see to that. I and
Antonio"
What do you mean?" cried the
woman. a trace of fear in her voice.
She knewrthe man with whom she
was dealing, and the last words
contained q threat
lit is quite simple" The italian
spread out his hands and shrugged
his shoulders carelessly. You send
Inc away-say you not want to see
me again. I lose money, much
money. by what you do. I earn
gold, yes. by many ways, but slow;
not in one large sum such as 1
need. I want TO go to Italy. TO my
home -ab.' Salerno. You know IL,
signora. for there meet you first
How think you / prefer to stay in
this vile New York? No. no: in Sa-
lerno 1 breathe, live. 1t is TO Sa-
lerno that 1 would go. II is you
who must send me there"
He paused and looked at the wom-
an with cunning eyes. Lillian re-
fiected that. after all, things were
not shaping so badly. 1t would be
an excellent thing to have this man
out OF the country, well worth the
comparatively small expense OF
sending him away. He was a con-
stant menace TO her. to say nothing
OF the community.
What Did PietrO Knowi
you knew where 10 find me IN
New York" she said. why did
you not come 10 me instead OF
sending for me. with all this show
OF mystery? I'm ready enough to
help you as far as can; you might
have known that"
The man leered knowingly. IF
had gone TO you you would not
have done as ! wished-perhaps
you would not have seen me. II
! had asked you 10 come 10 me
you would have refused. To Ad-
derley you are forced to 20.
sent telegram that you were
obliged TO obey, EccO." He con-
cluded with the characteristic ltal-
ian word and shruE of the shouI-
ders that was particularly unpleas-
ing.
Il shall be glad TO know that
you're out OF the country" said
Lillian. shortly. iii give you $500,
and you can come straight back
with me and get IT. 1 think that
ought to satisfy you"
The Italian showed his white
teeth once more. Five hundred
dollars" he said contemptuousIy.
"-Ah. milady. you have taught me
10 look higher than that. Some
while ago. perhaps-I know no bet
ter. but now, corpo di Baccho, what
is S5OO?"
Il won't give you more. ! could
not do ii. even II wished to-" Lii
liam was again becoming nervous
and excited. You are impertlnent
10 ask such a thing At all"
Il do not ask"-the man turned
upon her for the first time sharp
ly-"l command"
You command me-you,"
To BE Held for Ransom.
"Regretfully-oh. with a thous-
and regrets. It is the force Of cir
cumstances. need the money.
You can obtain # for me. There
fore. do as my fathers have done
before ms in my own country.
carry you Off and hold you for
ransom. Eoco. II is very simple"
You will not dare" Lillian rose
in her alarm, and her eyes took in
every point 81 the familiar room; II
Was as ~ she Were concentrating
every possibility uf escape. But
you cannot YOU cannot"
Il dare much. signora. j. vas
for such an sbductiun-an attempt
that failed-thHt you punished me
by driving me from Adderley. II is
good that you should be repaid I'm
the same coin. Only am more in
want of the money now, and there
Is moro need OF haste. ] have no
wish 10 hurt you. but you must
understand th4t-J have no love for
you, and ~ you fail 10 do as de-
mand"-hs spread out his cruel
hands-''yOur life is OF little value.
You know PietrO Renni, and that he
means What he SAYS
You are 81 brute" she cried saw
sCely: "a cruel. murderous brute,
N"u viii be caught and hanged
You richly merit IL. Oh, my God,
why did ! ever trust you?"
To Be Continued Tomorrow
- ICsoSnEst " y. n Hkr-l -. =