Evening star., 1921-10-06
FROM NOW ON
". BY FRANK L. PACKARD.
Copyright, 1so1, ~ Public Isdsss os.
Copyright. 1871, ~ 4. Il. Davis ossp.
BY FRANK L. PACKARD.

Were all his cards to go face up
on the table far Nicolo capriano to
see?
He had intended to make no more
Of a conhdant of the other than was
had not expected to find in Nicolo
Capriano a physically helpless and
bed-ridden man. 1t made diner.
ence-a very great dinerence! II
Millman. for instance. had been bed
ing little mirthlessly.
That's me-Dave Henderson" he
The old italian nodded his head.
And the 100000 has never been
'The police are interested in your
movements. Ell? 1t is for that reason
you have come to me. is 1t not 80!
And Tony Lomazzi foresaw all this
and he sent you here"
frowned suddenly. 1t was bothering
him again-the fact that this Italian
and his daughter should speak Eng
lish as though it were their own
Nicolo capriano nodded his head
again. And then. astutely:
young friend" he said. what is tt"
Dave Henderson Strengthened in
his chair. with little start.and
laughed shortly. Very little, evident
ats not much" he said. lust that
you an dyour daughter speak pretty
good English for Italians.
Nicolo Capriano smiled softly.
II should speak pretty good Eng:
lish." he said: and Teresa should Suid
learned it as children: I. in a certain
part Of London. as boy: and Teresa
here in San Francisco. where she
was born. Her mother was American.
and, though l taught Teresa Italian, an
mother was alive. and afterward my
daughter seemed to think we should
continue to do so." He shrugged his
shoulders; But hut; you n,aa come mel, from %e
"He is dead" said Dave Henderson
The thin hands. outstretched before
the other. closed with a quick twttch-
ing motion-then opened. and the
fingers began to pluck abstractedly
sign of emotion or movement from
the figure on the bed except that the
keen. black eyes were veiled now ny
haif-closed lids.
HE died-fifteen years aso-when
seemed to be communing with him
self. "Yes, yes; he is dead-he has
been dead for fifteen years" He
looked up suddenly. and. fixed his
eyes with a sharp. curiously apprais-
speak Of actual death. of course" he
said, in a low tone. do you know
anything of the circumstances?
"It was two months ago." Dave
Henderson answered. He was taken
i'll one night. His cell was next to
for me. and the warden let me 60 to
him. He died in a very few minutes.
1t was then. while I was in the cell.
that he whispered to me that ! would
need help when I got out. and he told
me to come to you. and to say that
he sent me-
And to the warden. and whoever
else was in the cell. he said-noth-
Nothing" said Dave Henderson,:
again; the long. slim fingers. with |
nails. plucked at the COW
erlet. 1t was full minute before /
II owe Tony Lomazsi a great debt"
he said slowly; and l would IKE to
you since he has asked 1t; but it y
not today. young man. as 1t was in |
those days so long ago. For hf-
teen years I have not lifted my
obviously for help from the po-
lice that 70 ucome to me. You |
have served your term. and the !
police would not molest you further !
Except for a good reason. Is 1t not so! |
And the reason is not far to seek. !
think. 1t is the money which was |
never recovered that they are after. !
You have it hidden somewhere. You |
know where it is. and you wish to |
outwit the police while you secure 1t.
Am not right?"
(Continued In Tomorrow Star.)