The Barrel MysteryFlynn, William J. (William James)
General
The Barrel Mystery
Flynn, William J. (William James)
Detective and mystery stories; Fiction
"I took Caterina aside and asked her why she had given the money to
Cecala. She said it would be all right, that she would get it back
to-morrow. I did not talk any more. I took a rest on a lounge, until
about nine o'clock, when I heard the boat's whistle. It was the signal
of our approaching a dock. I jumped up, thinking I was at
Philadelphia, and woke Caterina. I was surprised when Cecala informed
me that Philadelphia was a little farther on, and that we would get
off at the next stop. Making further inquiries as to the location of
Philadelphia, I was informed in a very brutal manner by Cina that he
did not know when the boat would arrive, but he guessed about one
o'clock. Right then and there it dawned on me that I was not dealing
with honest people, but with a dangerous pack who were probably trying
to get me into a trap.
"When Caterina heard that we would not arrive until one A. M., she
spoke cross to me and said that if any harm came to her I was
responsible. I consoled her as well as I could and resumed my rest on
the lounge.
"It was about half-past twelve that night when a long, resounding toot
that echoed in the mountains announced our arrival at a stopping
place. When the deck hand announced the name of the place, which did
not sound very much like Philadelphia, I asked Cecala whether we
should go ashore here.
"He said yes.
"It was a freezing cold night. There was snow on the ground. Caterina
and I were chilled to the bone and very nervous.
"'We will all stop at my godfather's for the night, and, if necessary,
for a day or so until we are rested,' announced Cecala. 'From there we
will continue our trip to Philadelphia, which is one station beyond
this place. We will do the rest of the journey by wagon.
"'This is Highland,[1] New York,' said Cecala, when I inquired the
name of the place.
"After a short wait in the dark near the dock we heard a wagon rushing
up at top speed. It was driven by a man whom Cecala introduced me to
as another godfather of his who was named Vincenzio Giglio. Cina and
Giglio are brothers-in-law and own the place where I was to stop that
night, Cecala told me.
"We arrived at Cina's house and found a table prepared for dinner.
While Cina invited Caterina and me to sit down, the wives of Cina and
Giglio brought on stuffed chickens, young goats meat, baked potatoes,
wine. The dessert was of cheese, apples and pears, raised, Cina said,
on the premises.
"My furniture was placed in a house near that of Cina and I was left
there to live with Caterina on scanty fare and without money until, as
Cecala told me, the printing shop would be in readiness. I was told to
have my mail directed at the box in Highland, New York, where Cina had
his mail sent. There were five little children playing about in the
Cina house. I heard Cecala tell Cina to make out a list of food-stuffs
needed saying that he would see Ignazio (Lupo) and have him ship it up
to the farm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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