The Washington times., 1915-10-24
BY EMERSON HOUGH.


trail. he went over the place inch by
| inch. seeking to find some trace which
would lead him to his quarry.
But success did not attend his efforts.
though these he prosecuted cvon In
those portions OF the palace where 80
recently he and his troops had faced
death when the levels were flooded by
waters turned in from the castle inoats.
He was willing to despair. and In fact
had turned away with the intention of
giving up the search. when he met a
subofficer OF the guard who proved diff
iicult to handle In his usual easy fash
ion.
Halt! who goes thcrc?" challenged
this guard as he aaw Sachio emerge
from ono Of the lower chambers.
"A fricnd!' rcjoined Sachio promptly.
In military formula.
Advance. friend. and give the coun-
tcrsign" came the gruff command.
The countcrseign?" said Sachio. "Ah.
well. my friend. now that I think OF
1t. have not had 1t given me. Twas
nv own neglect. But I am n friend OF
the king-'twas he who gave me per
mission to explore those portions OF the
palace. was curious to sec tho opera
tions Of this system OF defense by water
1T was something new to me.
That is all very we'll" reJoined the
soldier, but explanations Of that sort
are scarcely good enough
Take me. then. to the King himself"
said Sachio.
why should ~" rcjoired the other.
What business Is II Of yours to know
about the lower levels OF our palace?
These are ticklish times, and there have
been known such things as spies"
"Spies! exclaimed Sacho, virtuously.
II. n spy-is that what you mean. fell
low? II so. l command you to carry me
forthwith to the presence Of the King
himself. He knows me well. and you
should have care not to offend one
who Is under the Kings protection"
The sheer audacity of this intruder
der who had accosted him. Sachio was
indeed taken to the presence OF King
! Michael. and there his bold prediction
proved trus,cM'chsel ;c rePr,manded S,s Pub pub
and showed his public favor to the man
suspected of being one,
What. fellow" exclaimed the king
to the soldier. when sachio had made
his explanations-.wha do you mean
by offering indignity TO our friend and
future ally in this fashion? Away with
you. and do you report at the guard,
| come later"
my dear Sachio." resumed Michael.
| you see how prompt We are with our
protection OF our friends? DO not take
Il iii OF us that one OF our undcrlinGs
has done what his superior officers or
his sovereign would never think OF
countenancing. We trust you VIII ac-
/ cept this disclaimer"
TT was nothing. your majesty, re-
piled the willy statesman. "and ] assure
your majesty tn" incident shall not
lingcr in my memory. May We perhaps
venture to drown IN bumper 10 your
this misunderstanding? will drink to
! the health Of Michael and the prosper
/ ity of his kingdom. ,,,,,
I Lat ff,llpuy that with An
other to the final and peaceful conclu.
which has heretofore divided these
! ~" Thev drank. The befuddled friends.
OF Michael Joined them In hilaTty II
not Intelligent. at least yoc!ferous a
But, my good sachio. resume" | ne"
Michael after orr time; wa. .et ever me ask keen @
eye for beauty. and a good scent on
the trail OF beauty itself. Tell me. then
what became OF that beautiful young
American Who 80 La, .nteiy !,,n was ,nS %'tm 10 say
IL had SO much to do with the late re-
pulse Of your forces? l have not seen
hcr since that time-nor. now that !
recall it. have I seen her friend. Count
frederick. They have been gone some some
days or hours cannot toll which
measures their absence. whether, clock
, or calendar. but know she Is not
here. for every room OF tns ph,AJ pha is moi moi
|
Your majesty" rejoined sachio., 1T
Is astonishing how keen brain IKE
your own can guess ah"ther seI..II
! I also make claim to humble intel
ligence enough to have guessed your
wishes in this matter. but. alas,
can be OF no service to your majesty.
! Erieve to add. neither can anyone
else be of service.
| what? She is dead
"Oh, not so bad as that But she
is gone, ,.
TO her own country--back to mat
america OF which your majesty mas
heard her boast 50 freely
"How do you know this. my friend
demanded Michael. ,,,,
Sachio smiled 'Who sn"''n onfnss nnS~
We took yonder young LADY pris-
oncr. and carried her away with us
hut we could not hold her as such;
indeed. we no longer had any luarrei
with Grotzhonen ana her. mere vas a. he mo :,
tween the two Kingdoms. This young
iady was seen to take ship.
At what port!'
"At ours. your majesty Hrr aston :
"scaDe from our. guards Like Gait
line OF old she has escaped, she has
cvadcd. she has broken forth. Ana q.
rood riddance OF her. SO say we AL:
"All, III: EOpu SHCnio III NV 7N
sure How shall ] rid my memory
Of her eyes SO beautiful. her hair, SO
10, able, her fgurc7-her so charming
and delicious figure? Fortune does
not often repeat such favors. We
NAY not expect to see her like again
at any early day.
THAT is AS 1t Is" said Sachio. pre-
tending to hcave vast sigh Of sym =
pathy. "But what can we do she
took it all into her own hands ana
bv this time is we'll on her way to
America. There IL not the slightest
doubt regarding either her departure
nr her dcstination--shc was rather
bold about II, in fact. and made no
secret OF her plans"
was she q spy. think you Sachio?
"Wlthout doubt. your majesty. ard
7 we'll rue it TINT sh" did not receive
the punishment ut for sp". True.
she was benutiful-"
"yes, ycs"' assented Michael. "Suc!i
ewes, such hgure-think you that
u" will return" =. :,
az truly hope not. your majesty
returned Sachio fervently, and for
once he spoke the truth even at the
chance " offending this amorous
! king,
| CHAPTER LXV.
The Unknown Countries.