Then, of a sudden, came a loud hammering on the door at the foot of the stairs, heavy blows that resounded crashingly through that part of the building.
“They have come!” said Reggio, in Italian.
[CHAPTER XIX.—THE BURSTING OF THE DOOR.]
Plainly the door was being attacked by heavy instruments for the purpose of battering it down. Again Teresa clutched her brother and clung to him.
“Little sister, little sister,” he said, “if you cling to me so, how shall I defend myself?”
“I cannot lose you, Reggio!” she sobbed. “It is wicked! They shall not kill you!”
He implored her to release him.
“Let me go down and meet them,” he said. “If they come here to do the deed, then, in order to leave no living witnesses, they may destroy you and these good American friends who have promised to help you reach Antonio Melino.”
“Do you think the assassins have come to do the work?” asked Dick, his black eyes gleaming.
“I think so.”