Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-02
From NOwOn @s &:

| had been bed ridden, tt He caught
himself smiling q little mirthlesiE,'
"That's mc-Dave Henderson, he
said calmly.
The old Italian nodded his head.
"And the 100000 has never been
recovered" he observed shrewdly.
'"The police are interested in your
movements, ch? IL is for TINT reason
you have come to me, is IL not eoP And
Tony NLomazzi foresaw all this-and he
sent you here?'
"Yes." said Dave Hendcrson-and
frowncd suddenly. 1t was bothering
him again--the fact that this Italian
and his daughter should speak English
as though It we're their own tongue.
Nicolo Capriano nodded bis head
again. And then, astutely:
Something is disturbing you, my
young friend" he said. "What is itf"
Dave Henderson Strengthened in his
chair with a little stsrt--and laughed
shortly. Very little, evidently, escaped
Nicolo Capriano
"It's not much" he said. "Just
that you and your daughter speak
pretty good English for Italians"
Nicolo Capriano smiled softly.
81 should speak pretty good Eng
lish." he said land Teresa should
speak it even better. We both learned
It as children. l, In a certain part of
London, as a boy; and Teresa here in
San Francisco, where she was born.
Her mother was American. and, though
I taught Teresa Italian. we always
spoke English while her mbther was
alive, and afterward my daughter
seemed to think we should continue TO
do 80" He shrugged his shoulders.
But you came from Lomazzi," he
Irompted. Tell me about Lomazzi.
He is well?"
He is dead" said Dave Henderson
quietly.
The thin hands. outstretchcd before
the other. closed with n quick twitch.
ing motion-then opened. and the fin
gers began TO pluck abstractedly ut Tn.
coveret. There was no other sign of
emotion, or movement from the figure
on the bed, except that the keen, black
eyes were veiled now by half-closed
lids.
He died-ffteen years ago-when he
went up therefor life"-the man
seemed to be communing with himself.
es, yes; he Is dead-he has been
dead for fifteen years" He looked up
suddenly, and fixed his eyes with
sharp, curiously appraising gaze on
Davo Henderson. "You speak Of actual
death, of COURSE" he said. In a low
tone. DO you know anything Of the
circumstancesT'
was two months ago" Dave.
Henderson answered. He was taken
Ill one night. His cell was next to
mine. He was my friend. lie asked
for me, and the warden let me go
&c him. He died in n very few minutes.
IL 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-
ins7"
Nothing said Dave Henderson.
Ntcolo Capriano's eyes were hidden
again the long, slim fingers, with blue
tipped nails, plucked at the coverlet
1t was full minute before he spoke.
II owe Tony Lomazzi a great ,lebt :"
he said slowly: ''and I would like to
repay It in little way by helping you
since he has asked it /; but it is not to &.
days 40 long ago. For fifteen years
have not lifted my hand against tie
police. And it is obviously for help
from the police that you come to me.
"You have served your term. and the
police would not mo est you further ex
ccpt for a good reason. Is it not so!
And the reason is not far to seek, !
think. 1t is the money which was never
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