Mezzoni the Brigand — page 43: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. 35 mond rings,’’ said the robber. ‘‘Not the gold ones, ladies, only those precious stones.’’ This part of the business having been xcoormplished the leader blew a shrill whistle upon a silver call hanging at his breast, and four men, bearing a Sedan chair, made their appearance from behind the rocky hill-side, where they had been waiting. ‘You will all please get out of the carriage,’’ con- tinued he who had acted as spokesman, except you, sir,’’ designating the colonel; ‘‘you are lame, and it is of no consequence in your instance.”’ ‘‘How did he know that?” thought the colonel. Of course, there was nothing for them to do but to obey under the circumstances. The moment that Marion stepped upon the ground she was instantly seized and placed in the Sedan chair, the door of which having been quickly locked the four men took the poles and disappeared with their burden so rapidly that the whole was accom- plished before any one could have anticipated it or have interfered for a moment. Colonel Bray was frantic with rage, but he could do nothing against these armed men. He was told by the way of pacifying him that his daughter would be respected and carefully attended by one of her own sex until ransomed by the pay- ment of five thousand pounds. The time and place of payment would be duly designated, and in the meantime the colonel was told he might rest assured of the entire safety of his child, provided he kept good faith with the brigands. Any attempt to ferret out the hiding-place of the banditti would be resented, and any legal or military interference would cost his daughter’s life. This Eomichbooks (Efe)