The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-03-25
Chapter 81
IL qREAT RIccoL4

A1tt1ploE ~
TINE GREAT RIccoLg
naAJOR RICC0IA, at ease with
IVA dignity. leaned back among
his cushions, slipped HIS coffee and
lazily blew smoke-rings in the air.
SmokeFings In the air. Castles
in the air. But smoke-rings, how.
ever beautiful. are very evanescent.
Castles in the air. Castles in
Spain.
An unpleasant expression, that.
Most inappropriate. TO the devil
with Castles In Spain-when one
has Castle in Mekazzen-or rather.
win have one On a few hours time.
A knock at the door. Major Ric-
coli glanced at his wrist-watch.
That would be the excellent Vittor-
ELI, come to report.
How goes IT,"
Saluting with tremendous smart
ness and punctil.ous respect, the Ser.
geant- Major fntimated that every
thing went well. 81.
Having concluded his report, Wit
toFelH accepted HIS superior officers
offer OF a cigarette, and gracious per-
mission to be seated, while they once
again discussed the subject of the
hour Of arrival, and probable mem
tai attitude, OF the officer, non-coIn-
missioned officers and men Of the
nrst detachment of the reinforce
ments.
But after all, my dear vittorelh,
It is the accomplished fact that Is
the best argument. the world oyer.
When they arrive to find me King Of
the Castle, the thing Is done. And
should there be among chem any fool
who 10 so damned fool as to hest
tate between happy life and an
unhappy death--why, let him face
The firing.party, By all means.
Il suppose unused Major Riccoli.
1T Is the better plan to act first as
though for France, and afterwards
to see II we have any such fool
among us.
Well think that's all" Riec0li
added. yawning. "Turn the men out
alta. M. shall be there at ten min.
utas past two"
I
Il doubt IT, said q deep voice, in
French, as the door opened, and q
big man IN . hooded cloak stood on
the threshold. The man IN elle cloak
stepped forward threw back the
hood ana dropped the cloak from his
shoulders, revealing to the astound-
cd Riceoli ana vittorelli, d French
Colonel In full uniform.
lie sasei" whispered Riccoli.
sergeant-Maior Vittorelh jnstinc.
lively sprang to attention.
You are under arrest, Sergeant.
Major" said Colonel Ise Sage. IRE
move your belt and revolver"
rDon'tl Shoot hint" cried Ric-
coll, with a glance Of positive agony
Rt the table wherein lay his own re-
r0lyer.
Guard" cried Colonel lie Sage,
and four soldiers tramped into the
room.
Arrest that NAME ordered lie
Sage, pointing 70 Vittorelli whose
right hand tore at the Zap OF the
holster OF bis revolver.
As the weapon flashed from Its
case. the nearest ldgionnaire seized
Vittorellfs arm, while the second
presented his axed bayonet at the
pit Of bis stomach.
"Sit stu. Riecoli," snapped lie
Sage. bis own hand on his revolver.
bait.
''Goodi" he added. turning to Wit
tofeIli. "Thres OF You march him to
the guard.roow and hand him over
10 Major I.angeac with my orders
that he Is to be confined to the pun.
iphment.cell, to await court.martial.
Use any necessary ferce.e
Tho Hight Of hope again illumi.
mated the honest countenance OF
Sailor HARRIS.
"You may md that you have met
Major Langeae before added Ia
Sage With . abort laugh.
"L6gionnaire Hellenei On guard
outside this door. until yoar com.
rades return. Then report to me-"
well. Major Riceoll! So we meet
again. l wonder IL yoa remember
when We met lastf'
AT 81 Brudja." replied RiccolI,
cycling As though II hypnotiSed him,
the revolver ON the table.
"Ah hal A little sop to my vanity, =
laughed lie Sage. MY good Riccoli,
you've seen me daily, since you
came to Mekax1sn. You talked with
me for IN hour a. the post from
which YOU marched hare -