Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-04-12

ua'S BNcu yOu tudt uldBIdm NltuOuI
question gladly"
well. am sorry. Forget me-"
And with that he left her standing
BY the side Of her chair and walked
swiftly toward the hotel. When next
she realized or sensed anything she
was lying on her bed. her eyes dry and
wide open. And she did not 20 down
TO dinner. nor did she answer the
various calls on her door,
Night rolled over the world. with
q cool breeze driving under her mil
hon planets. The lights in the hotel
tickered out one BY one, and In the
third corridor. where the adventures
were housed. only a wick floating In a
tumbler Of oil burned dimly.
Fitzgerald had waited in the shadow
for nearly an hour. and he was grow.
ing restless and tired. All day long
he had been ObSessed with the convic.
ton that if Breitmann ever made a
start it would be some time that
night. Distinctly he heard the light
rattle Of a carriage, 1t stopped out
side the gardens. He pressed closer
against the wall. The door to Brett
mann's room opened gently, and the
man himself stepped out cautiously.
80" began Fitzgerald lightly, your
majesty goes forth tonight"
But he oyerreached himself. Brett.
mann whiried, and all the hate In bis
breast went into his arm as he struck.
Fitzgerald threw up his guard. but
not soon enough. The blow hit him
full on the side OF the head and top
pied him over. and as the back Of his
head bumped the floor the world came
to an end. When be regained his
senses his head was pillowed on q wo.
mans knees. and the scared white
face Of woman bent over his.
What's happened?" he whispered.
There were thousand wicks where
there had been one. and these went
round and round in a circle. Present.
y the effect wore away. and he rec
Ognized Laura. Then be remembered.
BY GeOrger'
What is it, she cried, the bands
Of terror about her heart loosening
AS hero I'm a picture" he an.
swered. "Why. | had an idea that
Breitmann was Off tonight to dig mp
the treasure himself Gone, And
only one blow struck and in front
of it,"
"Breitmann" exclaimed Laura. She
taught her dressing gown closer about
her throat.
Yes. The temptation was too
great. How cid you get here?" He
fought TO have struggled to his feet at
once, but it was very comfortable TO
feel her breath upon his forehead.
81 heard Il fall and then some one
running. Are you badly hurtT'
The anguish in her voice was as
music to his ears.
Dizzy; that's all. Better tell your
father Immediately. No, no; can get
up alone. I'm all right. Fine rescuer
of princesses. eh?" with an unsteady
laugh.
"You might have been killedr
Scarcely that. | tried to talk like
they do in stories, with this result. The
maxim is, Always strike first and ques.
ton afterward. You warn your father
Quietly while l hunt up Ferraud and
lCathewe."
Seeing that he was really uninjured.
she turned and few down the dark
corridor and knocked at her fathers
door.
Fitzgerald stumbled along toward NJ.
Ferraud's room murmuring: "All right,
Mr.. Breitmann; all right. But hang
me II don't hand you back that one
with interest Where is that French.
manr as he hammered on Ferraud's
door and obtained no response. He
tried the knob. The door opened. The
room was black. and he struck
match. NJ. Ferraud, fully dressed. lay
upon his bed. There was q handker-
lchief over his mouth, and his hands
and feet were securely bound. His
eyes were open.
| The hunter Of butterflies rubbed his
released wrists and ankles, tried his
collar, coughed and dropped his legs
to the floor.
81 am getting DID," be cried in self
Communion, "nearsighted and old I've
worn spectacles so long In jest that
now ! must wear them In earnestw
How long have you been here?
asked Fitzgerald.
81 should say about two hours. II
was very simple He came to the door
| opened II. He came in. Tut! He is
as powerful as lion."
why didn't you calIg'
Il was too busy. and suddenly it be
came too late. GoneT
"Yes." And Fitzgerald swore as he
rubbed the side Of his head. Briefly
be related what had befallen him.
you have never hunted butterfiies?"
NO" sharply. shall we start for
him while bis heels are hotT
"a have laid the trap. He and his
friend will walk into 1t. | am not
lpOlice officer ! make no arrests. Ny
business is TO avert political calami.
ties without any one knowing that
these calamities exist. That Is the