Mezzoni the Brigand — page 167: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. 159 Now that the law officers had the evidence of guilt in their possession relating to the death of the Count Amadeo, they only wondered that so clear a case had not excited suspicion instantly among all those interested in the deceased. The whole was as clear and plain as the light of day; even a trial in court — would be a mere formality. The local papers de- tailed the case, announcing the whole by a sensation- al heading arock “Have we a Lucrezia Borgia among us?’’ and ex- pressing unlimited wonder as to the possible motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The case of Alberto Corrello was also wrought up to the highest point of romantic interest by the press writers. His guilt was made plain to be sure, buta halo of romance was thrown over all that would lead one to half sympathize with the culprit. The fact really was, however, that beyond the one chivalrous and disinterested act of shielding the countess from her husband, and which the public knew nothing about, Alberto was actuated by no noble instincts, and was no more nor less thana thief and burglar whose career had been one of suc- cessful crime for a series of years, incited principally by an all-absorbing passion for gambling. It:-was after the countess had been incarcerated a couple of days that the sentry on duty at the outer portal of the prison suddenly found himself gar- roted, gagged and tied before he could utter an alarm. This was about two o’clock in the morning. Not a word was spoken, but a man with a drawn dagger was left to watch the sentinel, while six others entered the prison. Here a second guard was overcome in a similar manner, after which the leader of the party proceeded with keys, secured on Gomicbooks (ele)