Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-02-20

bed OF seditlOn, always at variance
with the authorities. A great fete
was on, The Princess Colomna, a
great favorite with the patriot insur.
rectionist group. passed through the
town, the idol Of the populace. I fol-
lowed the great procession out Of Gu
r!oslty to see her largesse distributed
to crowding, adoring thousands. 1t
was on that occasion that noticed
an ordinarily dressed, but keen-visaged
r1an Ak his eyes imploringly upon her.
He wore little triangular button on
one side of his cap. He made that
sign. The princess recognized it. She
tore from her wrist a glittering brace
let. tossed It to the man, who flashed
hack heartfelt gratitude, and then he
disappeared.
And now, because I had noticed
f,ashing-eyed 1talian-faced man with
the same peculiar button In his cap.
the same probing, expectant expression
IN his face. as though seeking in des.
reration recognition, friendship. as.
sistance. must perform the sign
that had caused royal princess to
scatter broadcast her Jewels! Quite
romantic, truly! But the cosmopolitan
glare Of the great mixed restaurant.
holding Bohemians from every cline.
had something to do with 1t. s.
In a flash that Wild. somewhat
fierce. yet markedly intelligent face,
fun Of haggard. anxious woe and hope
lessness, Frightened. Those piercing
eyes seemed to invade the very secret
chambers Of my soul. Then there
crossed those features that glow that
only q sinking, -despairing castaway
could express finding q saving hand
suddenly extended.
1.-THE Foscari." he uttered, in low.
Intense tone. gazing guardedly all
about him. "You know the baton?
It is life or death. Can we be alone?"
J shook my head obviously at the
wbrd "Foscari," to ne impenetrable.
but I said: LEAD where you WILL"
and followed him down dark side
street and into poor foreign wine
shop.
''For twelve hours" he said, pass
Ing to its deserted rear room. ~'Lis-
ten, almost the salvation of the order
Is involved. / must have five hun-
d.ed dollars within the hour. To he
returned at noon tomorrow. Your card,
or designated rendezvous, and then
forget. for the good Of the brethren
Would you believe It, will you credit
me, but as sentimentalist placed
my hand in my pocket! And, too, as
business man, read In this mans
eyes the guarantee Of q strict integrity
as had with many Levantine trader
whose word was as good as his bond
In other words, Identifying him only
az q man with peculiar button II
his cap. tracing some utilization o.
great power and influence. I took ou
the money, gave It to him with m!
card. and he vanished and l stood tn
victim of an impulse could not an
slyze.
was nettled, uneasy after that 70
q while. / was BY no means at pov
erty's door; my business was not II
the best condition in the world Flo
years our foreign agent had been
shrewd. energetic italian named Dc
neti. Within year, anticipating wa
, troubles in Europe. he had sold u
out. That is, he had taken adyantag
!. of his close connection with US to ur
: derhandedly transfer contracts to ri
: walls so that we had lost fully 30 pc
: cent. Of future business.
We had summarily dismissed tn
knave, but the mischief was done. an
j on the eve of marriage to my heart
choice ! had called postponemen
d until my tangled business affairs wer
Strengthened out.
At noon the next day IN walked m
,ensioner. He returned the none
}. with brief word of thanks. Abou
4 to go his face darkened as his eye
q fell upon all old photograph Of D.
natl.
9 .May 1 ask about that mani" he II
8 quired, and told him all.
r "GoOd friend" he said to me, we
( have helped ME without question. WI
a you give me an authorization to a
r tor you in regard to the disreputab
I: dealings of this fellow, Donati7"
= Within one month every filched al
manipulated contract had been
2 stored to the house, and my weddii
d was on. By what secret power th
!. strange emissary wrought the mirnc
!. know not. l never saw him asai
> only know that, invested with son
4 strnnge power. the representative
. formidable organization, he had ",
!. rewarded my haphazard use Of q
double sign.
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