The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

550 A CONSPIRACY OF THE CA’TACOMBS, Se let her go on, wishing to get as much information as piesible before trusting her entirely. This was her communication : ‘Bad men wish kill you. My uncle not wish. They have much discon- tent. He go way tomorrow. ‘They plan kill you then.” This was only too likely. He had felt all along that only the unaccount- able compassion or compunction of his excellency—who was apparently the girl’s uncle—stood between him and the vengeance of the fierce and brutal natures associated with him. Safford cast aside all reserve and addressed his benefactress in Italian. At first she seemed offended at his previous lack of confidence, but he soon explained that and everything else to her satisfac- tion. | ; ‘So you have warned them, and the king is safe? Praised be the saints! I, too, so longed to do that, but I did not dare. Besides, I did not know exactly. ‘They had not told me the time or place. Ah, how I hate their plotting ! Since my aunt died, my uncle has done nothing but plot. I think he is crazy. It is only charity to think so. But these low, ignorant men who are with him, they are brutes, that is all. He has forced me to join the society and take the oaths. I have not dared to break them till now, for I knew they would kill me. But listen, we are wasting time. I might © tell my uncle and save your life tomorrow, but since you have really done what they accuse you of, they will find it out ina few days, and my uncle himself will condemn you to death. You must escape. I will help you. It shall be right away. Are you willing to trust me and to try atx? For answer Safford bowed low and lifted the girl’s shapely hand to his lips. ‘The little hand trembled very much, and its owner drew it hastily away. , She extinguished the light and opened the door. ‘They picked their way noiselessly through the house, a medieval structure, half castle, half chateau. Several men lay in the hallway sleeping heavily. Outside the door a great dog sprang out at them, but was checked immediately by the sound of the girl’s voice. Safford glanced back at the towers and battlements of the structure he had just left. : ‘‘ Who zs your uncle ?’’ he said curiously. ‘The Marchese Palavini.’’ Safford started. It was a name well known and respected, and belonged to one of the last men in Rome to be suspected of plotting against the king’s life. ‘And you? ‘Tam Annunciata Palavini.’’ “You are well named,’’ he murmured gratefully, ‘‘for you have an- nounced glad tidings of life and hope to me this night.”’ ‘“ Not so fast,’’ she answered nervously ; ‘‘ we are not safe yet.’’ They had a long walk before them to Rome, twelve miles, Annunciata said, and they must make haste to get there in time for the Florentine train. Why should I leave in the train >’ Safford asked her. ‘‘ Why not go to police headquarters and claim protection ?” ‘Can you ask ?’’ said the girl. ‘‘If we did that, we should have to tell COMMIKEOOOKS a