Volume II Part 53 (2/2)
”No,” he firmly said, ”I will not do it I know you are up to some trick, and I do not intend to assist you”
Benedetto laughed in a peculiar way
”I know you are not rich,” said the pretended secretary, ”and--”
Anselesture, but Benedetto continued:
”I was at thisfor some time Count Vellini's house is next door to this, and I had no difficulty in getting here I saw you counting your secret treasure, and consequently--”
Unconsciously Ansellanced at the portfolio which lay on the table
Benedetto noticed it and laughed maliciously
”Yes, there lies your fortune,” he said conteo will not keep you long above board”
”But I have not asked for anything,” murmured Anselant portfolio from his pocket, and took ten thousand-franc notes out of it which he laid upon the table ”Finish and sign the paper I dictated,” he coldly said, ”and the rew pale Did Benedetto know of his troubles? Had he read his thoughts?
”I will not do it,” he said, rising up ”Keep yourrasping the pen, he seated himself at the table and wrote a feords
”So,” he said, with a satanic gleam in his eyes as he held the paper under Anselmo's nose, ”either you do what I say or else these lines which I have just written will be sent to the papers to-morrow”
Anselmo read, and the blood rushed to his head He felt his brain whirl, and, beating his face with his hands, he groaned aloud What had Benedetto written? Only a feords: ”The lady who is known as Jane Zild is--”
”You will not send these lines off,” cried Ansel Benedetto by the throat The latter, however, was too strong for him; in a minute he had thrown the ex-priest upon the bed
”No nonsense,” he sternly said, ”either you write or I will send the notice to the papers to- hand wrote what Benedetto had asked of hi voice, ”swear to --I--”
”My dear friend,” interrupted Benedetto, ”do not take the thing so seriously I have no intention of disturbing your peace”
Anselmo sank upon a chair, and his eyes filled with hot tears
Benedetto hastily ran over the paper and his lips curled contenature
”The fool wrote his own naood”
The next minute the secretary of Count Vellini disappeared, and Anselh his brain as his gaze fell upon the bank-notes
”We will fly,” he muttered to hi; we are not safe from him, and if an accident happens to Jane--”
In desperation he walked up and down the room and disconnected words came from his lips