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Joseph Ribas turned toward his new and unexpected ene back Carlo shrieked, "My brother!"

Joseph Ribas broke out into a loud, savage laugh "At length we meet,

my brother," said he "But this time you shall not hinder me in my work

This time I am the conqueror!"

"No, no, that you are not!" cried Carlo, beside hie "Confess what you want in this house--confess, or you are a dead

er he rushed upon his opponent!

A frightful struggle ensued Natalie, in her night-dress, pale as a

lily, knelt upon her bed and prayed She had folded her hands over her

breast, directly over the place where the papers confided to her by

Paulo, in a little silken bag, always hung suspended by a golden chain

"Grant, O rant that I may keep my promise to

Paulo, and that I may defend these papers withand contending; like two

serpents they had coiled around each other, and held each other in their

toils

"Flee, flee, Natalie!" groaned Carlo, with a weakened voice--"flee away

from here! I yet hold him, you are yet safe! Flee!"

But in this ht

only of Carlo Springing fro eyes she boldly

threw herself between the contending eously, "I will not flee--I shall at least