Year: 1860

possible, in order to leaye the Judge suffi-.
cient time and freer scope for putting into
execution design which he had already
conceived. Somewhat consolcd, and rely
ing on the judges ingenuity, the father.
retired. Complying with the directions
given HIM, he saw his. son, engaged the
priest to accompany him homc, and kept
him occupied in discourse until he suppos-
ed the judge had found time to carry his
plan, whatever it might be into effect.


The judge, in the meantime, eager to in
sure the remainder Of the sum promised,
had formed his project; application SO late
to the prince he knew was not only use
less, but might bring discredit and spspi-
cion on himself, as he had reported the
case, from the commencement, as one alto
gether unworthy of mercy, and as calling
for severe and awful example. Sending
for the goaler, who kept watch over the
prisoner during the night, and was eonsid-
cred as sufficient guard, from the latter
being heavily ironed, and the chapel with
in the prison walls, where single call
would Immediately bring effectual assis-
tancc, he pretended to have still some
doubts respecting the guilt of the young
man, and feigned himself anxious to know
if he had yet made an open avowal Of his
crime; the disclosure made to his spiritual
advises being, as our readers are aware, un-
der the sacred seal Of confession, never in
the most distant manner to be alluded to,
much less divulgcd, without incurring the
guiltof sacrilege. Having heard the mans
reply, tho judge, under pretencc Of retir-
ing to his library to consult some authori-
ties on the subject, left the room, direct
ing him on no account to move from the
spot before his return. This done, he lost
not an instant in proceeding to the prison;
entering the chapel, he told the young
man, whom he found in state of extreme
me ntal agitation, brought on by the horrors
of his dreadful situation, wavering between
the fear of approaching death, and the
hope slight as it was, held out to him by
his father, that there was still chance Of
safety for him, provided he complied im-
mediately and exactly with his directions
II am now about SO he said, to release
you from Your fettcrs but you must be
aware that in an island so limited in extent
as that of Malta, there is not the slightest
chance of your escaping the vigilance an!
research of the officers of justice, alert as
thcy will naturally be the instant you are
found missing from these walls; take
therefore this dagger, and he drew one
from under his vest, proceed instantly to
the coffee-house in which you committed
the murdcr-it is not late, you will GER
tainly find people there at this hour-cntcr
boldly, take good care that you are seen
and recognized by all present, then reso-
lutely plunge the weapon into the body Of
the person nearest you, and Immediately
csca pc, leaving the stilletto in the wound !;
return hither with all possible speed, and
leave the rest to me; but recollect every
thing depends on your dexterity and dis
patch The criminal, though just tremb-
ling on the verge of eternity, and fresh
from the pious exbortations Of minister
of that God whose laws he had already so
heniously offended, readily consented, at
the suggestion Of the willy judge, to cover
himself from the consequences Of one muir
der by the commission of another still more
atroc;ous. He took the knife, and left
the chapel. His internal adviser remained
behind in state Of anxiety and agitation !;
a few minutes relieved him from his sus-
pense the cofce-huse was not far distant
from the quarter in which the prison was
situated. The young man returned con-
fused and trembling, as persons recent from
the commission Of any dreadful ofense are
wont. Having, ascertained the success of
his abominable Vaccinations, the judge
carefully reconsigned the murderer to his
fetters, and recommending secrecy and
presence of mind for his own sake, took his
leave.


With hurried and irregular steps he had
rushed into the coffee-housc, the scene of
his former crime his hasgard counte


nance, his violent emotions, the wild glance
of his unsettled eye, instantly drew the
attention of all present, as he stood for a
moment the object of their gaze. An ex-
clamation of wonder ran aound-it was
surely the prisoner under sentence of death.
No-that was impossible; yet how re-
markable likeness! The desperate man
gave them but little time for question and
conjecture, before turning rapidly round,
he plunged his dagger into the bosom of
an unhappy individual who was standing
near the door, and disappeared with the
rapidity Of lightning; his unfortunate
victim fell Immediately, uttering feeble
cry. Medical assistance was at hand, but
SO home was the thrust, that in few min
utes he was already a corpse. The unex-
pectedness and suddenness of the blow,
the confusion aud alarm Of the beholders,
who were fixed to the spot in terror and
amazement, effcctually precludod any at
tempt to arrest the assassin. ,'. -
A murder SO openly and daringly per-
petratcd soon threw the whole city Of VAL