The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-11
PAGE 4


 other ties of blood His wife had died shortly before my marriage to his daugh- ter. felt sure that in time both father and son would accede to my proposal.
 ''It was not long before I learned that Marlitti was a prominent member of an order known as the Crimson Circle. Inci- dentally l also learned some impor- tant secrets of the band. These I pur- posed using as last argument to get pos session of my child.
 "1n some manner Marlitti became aware of my knowledge and intent. To save my life l was compelled to join the Circle. was tattooed and branded with the circle and poniard, the sign of the order. It was frightful ordeal and the humiliation of It made me VOW to avenge myself. My shance came in due time and with this opportunity a greater incentive than ever llo betray the iniquitous association with which l had been forced to affiliate.
 In some way the count incurred the dis pleasure of a secret order. One morning he was found dead. in his chair. The physi- clans pronounced it heart failur, but from what Marlitti hinted, I am sure he was poi soned
 "I shipped the chair to my father in America, with instructions that it be left packed until my return, for l feared the old Italian would repent of his gift.
 "Marlitti still held my child and l grew desperate. I had no relish for the associa- lions which had been forced upon me; neither did l care to remain longer away from my native land. Then it was that I decided upon desperate plan to free my self. was moved to this by an effort to force me into a plot to take the life of a Count Vignolos in Naples.
 "I shall never forget the horror of the midnight meeting when I was selected as the instrument of the Crimson Circle to carry out the orders death plan. We three-score of us-gathered in the secret rendezvous of the band. As many daggers were placed i'll large box placed upon a table so high that none could see within it. Then, one by one, we drew one of the weapons. When it came my turn l drew a blade of purpled steel-the weapon with which Count Vignolos was to be assass- mated. Thus I was thrown, inexorably it seemed, into the murder net of the order. To refuse to accept the poniard meant in- stant death but determined that my hand should never strike the blow that took the < life of the count
 "That next day employed an Italian to steal my child. Then, after placing in- formation in the hands of the authorities regarding the purported plot left Naples forever. l never knew whether or not the police succeeding in capturing the band, but I have always known that my life was in jeopardy. When fled took with me the purple poniard. Why did so cannot explain. A hundred times have been tempted to destroy 1t, but each time I deferred doing so. One day my daughter found it and, because of its odd coloring and beautiful workmanship, asked to keep it. I could not refuse, but almost fear it will bring tragedy into her young life.
 "After year passed in Russia came to Laurens and immured myself here in the old homestead, barring my windows and locking my doors against the vengeance of the Crimson Circle. But have premoni- ton that some morning I will be found in my chair, slain as was the ill-fated Count Baronni."
 At this point the continuity of the mar rative ceased, but toward the end of the volume Brstow came upon another entry bearing a date several days before the mur- der of the physician.
 q am consumed with fear and despair,'" it read. My daughter has met her uncle, Pierto Marlitti, who has induced her to go to her grandfather. Giovanni Marlitti is supposed to be dying in Cincinnati and to have sent for her. She seems determined