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"I do not know anything about the Chief," Gino mumbled. But it was plain that some of his fear was vanishing under this unexpected kindness. Blake had a voice which won dumb animals, and a smile which made friends of children. At last the young Sicilian came forward and put his hand into the stranger's. "They told me to hide or the Americans would kill me. Madonna mia! I am no Mafioso!
It was plain that Corte also was beginning to feel the strain, and Norvin began to fear that Donnelly would delay too long. At last the Pinkerton man stooped and raised his valise, then extended his hand to the Mafioso. Donnelly edged closer. Blake knew that the moment for action had come, and found that without any exercise of will-power he too was closing in.
Now it struck him as beyond belief that Margherita should really do this. Aliandro was continuing: "It is work for young hands, Excellency. Old people grow weary and forget, especially women. Now that Lucrezia, she is a fine child; she can hate like the devil himself and she is as silent as a Mafioso.
But this is Sicily. We have no societies." "Nevertheless, I heard you say something about 'Mafioso' last night," Blake insisted. "Perhaps," grudgingly admitted the overseer. "But La Mafia is not a man, not a society, as you say. It is " He made a wide gesture. "It is all Sicily. You do not understand." "No, I do not." "Very well. One does not speak of it. Would the Signore care to see the horses?"
"Did you know the fellow?" Norvin queried. "Very well indeed." "Maruffi knows a whole lot, if he'd only open up. He's a Mafioso himself eh, Caesar?" The Chief laughed. "No, no!" the other exclaimed, casting a cautious glance over his shoulder. "I tell you everything I learn. But as for this Sabella I thought him a trifle sullen, perhaps, but an honest fellow."
He sent his own daughter Lucrezia to Terranova when the Contessa was still a child, and what is the result? Lucrezia is no longer a servant. Indeed no, she is more like a sister to the Signorina. At the marriage no doubt she will receive a fine present, and Ricardo as well. He is as silent as a Mafioso, but he thinks." Young Blake stretched his tired muscles, yawning.
Later, as Norvin Blake composed himself to sleep he wondered idly if Martel had told him the whole truth. He recalled again the faint, grave lines that had gathered about the Count's eyes, where there had never been aught but wrinkles of merriment, and he recalled also that word "Mafioso."
"I shall come to no harm, believe me. I am known to be young, rich, and my marriage is but a few days off. What more natural, therefore, than for some Mafioso to try to frighten me and profit by the dreaded name of Cardi? I am a stranger here in my own birthplace. When I become better known, there will be no more feeble attempts at blackmail.
Norvin had been quick to sense the possible danger to the two women, and had urged them to accept his protection; but they had convinced him that such a course had its own dangers, for in case the Mafioso was really unsuspicious the slightest indiscretion on their part might frighten him. Therefore they had insisted upon living as usual until something more definite was known.
They were speaking in the Sicilian dialect, moreover, which was unfamiliar to him, yet he caught the mention of Ippolito, one of the men who had met him at the station, also of an orange-grove, and the word "Mafioso." Then he heard Martel say: "The shells for the new rifle Ippolito is a bad shot take plenty."
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