The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-05-03
CHAPTER 42. THE GREAT RICCOLI

fhtA<hA hhASSO6h
 Major Riccoh, at ease with dignity, leaned back among his cushions, slipped his coffee and lazily blew smoke-rings in the air
 Smoke-rings in the air. Cas- ties in the air. But smoke-rings however beautiful, are very evan escent.
 Castles in the air. Castles in Spain.
 An unpleasant expression, that Most inappropriate To the de- vii with Castles in Spain-when one has a castle in Mekazzen- or rather, will have one in a few hours time.
 A knock at the door. Major Riccoli glanced at his wrist-watcn That would be the excellent Wit terelli come to report.
 How goes it?"
 Saluting with tremendous smart ness and punctilious respect, the Sergeant Major intimated that everything went well.
 Having conluded his report, Wit torelli accepted his superior of ficer's offer of a cigarette, and gracious permission to be seated while they once again discussed the subject of the hour of ar rival, and probable mental atti- tude, of the officer, non-commis- stoned officers and men of the first detachment of the reinforce ments.
 'But after all, my dear Wit torelli, it is the accomplished fact that is the best argument the world over. When they arrive to find me King of the Castle the thing is done And should there be among them any fool wqlc is so damned fool as to hesi- tate between a happy life and ar unhappy death-why, let him fac5 the firing party by all means.
 T suppose" unused Major Ric- coli, it is the better plan to act first as though for France, ano afterwards to see if we have any such fool among us.
 we'll think that's all, Riccoli added, yawning. "Turr the men out at a. m. I shall be there at ten minutes past two
 T doubt it." said a deep voice in French, as the door opened and big man in a hooded cloak stood on the threshold. The man in the cloak stepped forward threw back the hood and dropped the cloak from his shoulders, re- vealing to the astounded Riccolt and Vittorelli, French Colonel in full uniform.
 "Le Sage!" whispered Riccoli
 Sergeant Major Vittorelli in- stinctively sprang to attention. You are under arrest, Sergeant Major" said Colonel Le Sage Re move your belt and revolver" Don't! Shoot him!" cried Ric- coli, with a glance of positive ag- ony at the table whereon lay his own revolver.
 "Guardl" cried Colonel Le Sage and four soldiers tramped intC the room
 Arrest that man!" orlered Lt Sage, pointing to Vittorelli whost right hand tore at the flap ol the holster of his revolver.
 AS the weapon flashed from it; case, the nearest Legionnairt seized Vittorelli's arm, while the second presented his fixed bay onet at the pit of his stomach.
 "Sit still, Riccoli," snapped Le Sage, his own hand on his re- volver butt.
 "Good!" he added, turning tc Vittorelli. Three of you march him to the guard-room and hand him over to Major Langeac with my orders that he is to be con fined to the punishment cell, to await court martial. Use any nec- essary force"
 The light of hope again illum- mated the honest countenance of Sailor sHarris.
 You may find that you have met Major Langeac before" add ed Le Sage, with short laugh
 'sLegionnaire Belleme! On guard outside this door, until your com