The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-12
a, ssg 'TRUXTON KING" s htss:5 Barr

Copyright, 1909, by George
Barr McCutcheon.)
Copyright, 1900, by Doud,
Mead q Company. Published
Sept, 19O9.)
1t seemed that Marlanx deemed
1t necessary-even imperative-to
the welfare of the movement, that
John Tullis should be disposed of
summarily before the crucial
chapter in their operations. Trux-
ton heard the Committee discuss
ing the fiasco that attended his
first attempt to draw the brainy,
influential American out of the
arena. 1t was clear that Mar
lanx suspected Tullis of a deep
admiration for his wife, the
Countess Ingomede; he was pre-
pared to play upon that admira-
tion for the success of his efforts.
The countess disappeared on a re-
cent night, leaving the court in
OAIi CihC uouuS do " hcI late.
Later a decoy telegram was sent
by a Marlanx agent, informing
|Tullis that she had gone to
Schloss Marlanx, never to return,
but so shrewdly worded that he
would believe that it had been
sent by coercion, and that she
was actually a prisoner in the
hands of her own husband. Tul-
lis was expected to follow her to
the castle, bent on rescue. AS a
matter of fact, the countess was
a prisoner in the hills near Balak,
spirited away from her own gar
den by audacious agents of the
Iron Count. Tullis was swift to
fall into the trap, but, to the con-
fusion of the arch-plotter, he was
just as swift to avoid the conse-
Iquences.
He left Edelweiss with two Sc
cret service men, bound for
Schloss Marlanx. All unknown to
him, selected company of cut
threats were in waiting for him
on the hills near the castle. To
the amazement of the conspira-
tors, he suddenly retraced his
tracks and came back to Edel-
weiss inside of twenty-four hours,
a telegram stopping him at Gush-
ma, hundred miles down the line.
The message was from Dangloss
and it was in cipher. A trainman
in the service of MarlanX could
only say, in explanation, that the
American had smiled as he deci-
phered the dispatch and at once
left the carriage with his men to
await the up-train at six o'clock.
Peter Brutus repeated a mes
sage he had just received from
Marlanx at Balak. 1t was to the
effect that he had reason to be-
lieve that his wife had managed,
through an unknown traitor. to
send word to the Tower that she
was not at Schloss Marlanx, nor
in any immediate danger. He felt
himself supported in this belief
by the obvious fact that no fur
Their efforts had been made by
Tullis or the police since that
day. The authorities apparently
were inactive, and Tullis was Sc
renely secure at the Royal castle.
The guard about the prince, how
ever, had been largely in
creased.
Tullis was known to be re-or-
ganizing the Royal Guard, sup
ported by the ministry to a man, it
was said; not even the duke of
Perse opposed him.
1.-THE count is more afraid of
this man Tullis than of all the
rest" averred Peter Brutus. "He
has reasons to hate and fear the
Americans. That is why he de-
sires the death of our prisoner.
He has said, time and again, over
the wire that King will in some
way escape and play the deuce
with our plans. 1t does not seem
possible. however. We have him
absolutely secure, and Olga-well,
you know how she feels about it,"
81 don't see why he should be