But directly after that the authorities obtained conclusive evidence that Mullura had been concerned in a number of crimes, the most dastardly being a cold-blooded murder. The fellow was forced to flee from Venice, much to the relief of both Reggio and Teresa. He emigrated to America, but sent back word that some day he would return and secure Teresa, in spite of herself and her brother.
All this was explained in a broken manner to the boys, upon which Brad cried:
“Good riddance to old Nic! You won’t have to worry about him any more, Reg. Both you and your sister are safe.”
“No, no!” muttered the man, a dark shadow coming to his face. “Nicola Mullura gone-a, but I have-a da iron ring-a.”
At this Teresa, who understood a little English, gave a cry and caught her brother by the arm. In Italian she plied him with questions. At first he tried to put her off, but his manner added to her alarm, and she insisted that he should tell her the truth.
“I have-a to tell-a her!” he murmured sadly. “Mebbe bet’ tell-a her now. She find-a out prit soon, best I can-a do.”
Then he took her in his arms, looking sadly and lovingly down into her upturned face.
“Little sister,” he said in soft Italian, “my heart is sore, for it is true that the Ten have placed the death seal upon me.”
She cried out in horror, clutching him and clinging to him.
“No, no, no! Oh, Reggio, my brother, my dear, good brother, why should they do it? It cannot be true!”