Sunrise eBook

William Black
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 672 pages of information about Sunrise.

Sunrise eBook

William Black
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 672 pages of information about Sunrise.

At length the wretched creature opposite him gasped out,

“Beratinsky—­”

But he could say no more.  He motioned to a waiter to bring him some soda-water.

“Yes, Beratinsky?” said Calabressa, calmly regarding the livid face.

“—­has betrayed us!” he said, with trembling lips.  In fact, there was no fight in him at all, no angry repudiation; he was helpless with this sudden bewilderment of fear.

“Not quite,” said Calabressa; and he now spoke in a low, eager voice.  “It is for you to save yourself by forestalling him.  It is your one chance; otherwise the decree; and good-bye to this world for you!  See—­look at this card—­I say it is your only chance, friend Reitzei—­for I am empowered by the Council to promise you, or Beratinsky, or any one, a free pardon on confession.  Oh, I assure you the truth is clear:  has not one eyes?  You, poor devil, you cannot speak:  shall I go to Beratinsky and see whether he can speak?”

“What must I do—­what must I do?” the other gasped, in abject terror.  Calabressa, regarding this exhibition of cowardice, could not help wondering how Lind had allowed such a creature to associate with him.

Then Calabressa, sure of victory, began to breathe more freely.  He assumed a lofty air.

“Trust in me, friend Reitzei.  I will instruct you.  If you can persuade the Council of the truth of your story, I promise you they will absolve you from the operations of a certain Clause which you know of.  Meanwhile you will come to my lodgings and write a line to Lind, excusing yourself for the day; then this evening I dare say it will be convenient for you to start for Naples.  Oh, I assure you, you owe me thanks:  you did not know the danger you were in; hereafter you will say, ’Well, it was no other than Calabressa who pulled me out of that quagmire.’”

A few minutes thereafter Calabressa was in a telegraph-office, and this was the message he despatched: 

* * * * *

“Colonna, London:  to Bartolotti, Vicolo Isotta, No. 15, Naples.  Ridotto will arrive immediately, colors down.  Send orders for Luigi and Bassano to follow.”

* * * * *

“It is a bold stroke,” he was saying to himself, as he left the office, “but I have run some risks in my time.  What is one more or less?”

CHAPTER LII.

FIAT JUSTITIA.

This scheme of Calabressa’s had been so rapidly conceived and put in execution, that he had had no time to think of its possible or certain consequences, in the event of his being successful.  His immediate and sole anxiety was to make sure of his captive.  There was always the chance that a frightened and feeble creature like Reitzei might double back; he might fly to Lind and Beratinsky, and seek security in a new compact; for who could prove any thing if the three were to maintain their innocence?  However,

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Project Gutenberg
Sunrise from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.