"It was from him I learned of Gian Narcone and his other friends; now I
shall learn from his own mouth the whole truth. He shall weave the rope
for his own destruction. Oh, he is like water in my hands, and I shall
lie in his arms--"
"Lucrezia! You can't touch him--knowing--"
"I will have the truth, if I give myself to him in payment, if I am
damned for eternity. God has chosen me!"
She broke down into frightful sobs. With sisterly affection the other
woman put her arms about her and tried to soothe her. At length she led
her away, but for a long time Norvin could hear sounds of the peasant
girl's grief. When Vittoria reappeared her face was still pale and
troubled.
"I can do nothing with her. She seems to think we are all divine
instruments."
"Poor girl! She is in a frightful position. I'm too amazed to talk
sensibly. But surely she won't persist."
"You do not know her; she is like iron. Even I have no power over her
now, and I--fear for the result. She is Sicilian to the core, she will
sacrifice her body, her soul, for vengeance, and that--man is a fiend."
"It's better to know the truth now than later."
"Yes, the web of chance has entangled our enemies and delivered them
bound into our hands. We cannot question the wisdom of that power which
wove the net. Oliveta is perhaps a stronger instrument than I; she will
never rest until her father is avenged."
"The strangest part is that you are the 'One Who Knows,' You told me
you had given up the quest."
"And so I had. I was weary of it. My life was bleak and empty. I could
not return to Sicily, because of the memories it held. We came South in
answer to the call of our blood, and I took up a work of love instead
of hate, while Oliveta found a new interest in this man, who was
wonderful and strong and fierce in his devotion to her. I attained to
that peace for which I had prayed. Then, when I was nearly ready for my
vows, my foster sister learned of Gian Narcone and came to me. We
talked long together, and I finally yielded to her demands--she is a
contadina, she never forgets--and I wrote that first letter to Mr.
Donnelly. I feared you might see and recognize my handwriting, so I
bought one of those new machines and learned to use it. What followed
you know. When we discovered that the Mafia had vowed to take Chief
Donnelly's life in payment for Narcone's, we were forced to go on or
have innocent blood upon our hands.
"The Chief was killed in spite of our warnings, and then you appeared
as the head of his avengers--you--my truest friend, the brother of
Martel. I knew that the Mafia would have your life unless you crushed
it, and in a sense I was responsible for your danger. It seemed my duty
to help break up this accursed brotherhood, much as I wished that the
work might fall to other hands. Oliveta was eager for the struggle, and
while she fought for her vengeance, I--I fought to save you."
"You did this for _me!_" he cried, falteringly.
"Yes. My position at the hospital, my occupation made it easy for me to
learn many things. It was I who discovered the men who actually killed
Chief Donnelly; for Normando, after his injury, was brought there and I
attended him. I learned of his accomplices, where the boy, Gino Cressi,
was concealed, and other things. Lucrezia was a spy here among her
countrypeople, and Caesar was forever dropping bits of information,
though we never dreamed who he was."
She went to the long French window, and, shading her eyes with her
hands, peered down into the dark street.
"Then you have--thought of me," he urged. "You thought of me even
before we were drawn together by this net of chance?"
"You have seldom been out of my thoughts," she told him, quietly. "You
were my only friend, and I live a lonely life." Turning with a wistful
smile, she asked: "And have you now and then remembered that Sicilian
girl you knew so long ago?"
His voice was unruly; it broke as he replied: "Your face is always
before me, Contessa. I grew very tired of waiting, but I always felt
that I would find you."
She gave him her two hands. "The thought of your affection and loyalty
has meant much to me; and it will always mean much. When I have entered
upon my new life and know that you are happy in yours--"
"But I never shall be happy," he broke out, hoarsely.
She stopped him with a grave look.
"Please! You must go now. I will show you a way. So long as Cardi is at
liberty you must not return; the risks are too great for all of us. As
Oliveta learns the truth I shall advise you. Poor girl, she needs me
tonight. Come!"
She led him through the house, down a stairway into the courtyard, and
directed him into a narrow passageway which led out to the street
behind. "Even this is not safe, for they may be waiting." She laid her
hand upon his arm and said, earnestly, "You will be careful?"
"I will."
He fought down the wild impulse to take her in his arms. As he skulked
through the gloom, searching the darkest shadows like a criminal, his
fear was gone, and in his heart was something singing joyously.