The circle banner., 1915-10-15

eyes opened, looked into his. WDat
she saw bending over her was the face
of her enemy.
who is it?" she cried. Loose me
leave me! Where am II"
She caught her hands to her face
now as there came to her once more
the terror of what she had seen. She
dared not look about her. Take me
away!" she moaned. Take me
away!" e1
He made no answer for time.
"Why have you followed me here?"
she demanded at last, half hysteri-
cally.
He spoke now. slowly, almost sol
emnly.
"Why?" said he. IT do not know
why. / think it must have been be-
cause you were in trouble. Perhaps
you called me-perhaps that is why /
came"
What do you mean? Would you
taunt me now, at such time? 1
have been frightened almost to the
point Of death-it was terrible"
Come" said Count Frederick, and
placed about her an arm on whose
strength, in spite of herself, she was
glad to lean.
He was guiding her toward the door.
She turned and saw again that which
but now had smitten her with terror.
Her nerves, weakened by the long
strain upon them, gave way once
more.
The flare Of the candle lighted up
the cavernous interior at whose en-
trance they stood. Count Frederick
saw what she had seen.
On the walls stood out hooks, steel
arms which supported eyeless, grin
ming skulls-old-how old no one
could tell. Beyond arose rods and
gratings, barbed, pointed, curved. An
iron chair was in corner, and in it
sat grinning skeleton.
It was the torture chamber, the
room of terrors, born of other years
more savage than these, and brought
down unchanged through all the CEN
turies!
Come" said Count Frederick, his
own voice agitated. "It is no time
to think of any treasure now, but you
He caught her away swiftly into the
other passage, and flung the door shut
behind them. In silence he led her
along the subterranean passage and
.4p the stairs.
He left her once more alone in her
own room, to compose herself as best
she might, while he went on to rejoin
the king.
so, then, you found her, faithful
demanded Michael.
Eyes, your majesty, at length. She
was but strolling about to pass the
time during your absence. While l
know little of such matters, it seems
to me that the trials of the day have
been. extreme for her."
King Michael ended by asking the |
of the young woman her
self; but it was just at this juncture
hat there arrived at the palace none
ess than the prefect of police, who |
made suppliance through several court |
official for admittance to audience
With royalty.
He says" ventured the last cham
,erlain, that he comes regarding the
murder at the Ritz hotel, in which
Tour majesty was graciously pleased
o be interested"
yes, yes-my dear Count Fred
rick, it was absurd that you should
'e mixed in that-or the young Amer
can-I have not had time to think of
since then. What is all this now?
Bring the man in."
And so presently the project,
Dashed and much perturbed, was ad-
nitted.
We'll, WELL" demanded the mon
rch, what is it-why do you come
ere?"
For only one reason, your mai
sty." began the prefect humbly.
We are convinced that there is more
han chance medley in this murder.
he thing goes deeper than we
bought at first"
Have you no suspect"
"One, your majesty, a person of no
Importance, by name Roleau."
How now, count?" Michael turned
, the nobleman who still stood near.
What think you of this matter?"
Count Frederick considered for a
loment before he replied.
set him free,' said he at length.
Watch him. He will lead us to some
ling perhaps. Be sure that once he
loose he will not be at rest for
ng."
An excellent idea,' said Michael.
Michael turned now to the matters
oser to his heart-the welfare of the
'ung American, whom he had not =
en- since his return to the palace. I
ven now she waited for admission to !
s presence, and he had her sum; ),
oned at once.
WHAT mademoiselle," cried Mi .
ael, you are pale. You have not yet
lly. recovered-you have been ill?"
Yes; your majesty replied Kitty. Il
liling somewhat wanly. He now no o
ed that the serving woman at her ~
le carried her wraps, and that she "
rself appeared ready for the street. II