The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-08-20

/ hO'Nau ahN4
>~~>-~--~~>-~~~~>,>~~-- >~-~~->~~>~~-
sprang down the steps, clung to the
arm of Roleau. flush came to Count
FTederiCk's face as he saw how she
avoided himself There was, how
ever, no time for further speech. The
sound of rapid footballs came down
the hall The captain of gendarmes
and his men were at the door.
"Messieurs. welcome" said Count
Frederick. But why are you here?"
Monsieur !e comte, we ask pardon
for the intrusion, but we must ask you
to join u.s. replied the officer, He
was impressed by the calm dignity Of,
Count Frederick, as had been more
than one man before his time.
For what reason do you desire our
company, monsieur captain? Is there
any charge against us?"
"There is a charge Of great severity
to be laid against someone, monsieur
le comte. We ask your aid to deter
mine who that one may be. This
/ young woman, who is she?"
81 am Miss Kitty Gray Of America"
answered the object of his suspicion.
| This is my servant, Roleau. Who are
you?"
1--WE are OF the imperial police,
mademoiselle. A murder has been
done in your room at the Ritz hotel.
Naturally someone is under suspicion.
Let me caution both you and Count
! Frederick not to speak. What you
say may be used as evidence"
I Count Frederick turned suddenly
| toward Kitty, a warning in his eyes.
She stood, therefore, silent, looking at
| the man.
"Mademoiselle is in no case respon-
sible for any of this" said he to the
officer. 1--WE will all go with you and
conclude this matter as quickly as
possible. We must be released at
! once from detention"
/ The officer turned, beckoning to
them to follow him.
The little group passed along the
walk to the open curb of the street.
1t was Roleau who hesitated here, ad-
dressing the captain of gendarmes.
Monsieur captain" said he, 81 see
that you guard all the escapes possi-
! BILE to any guilty man. You will
| therefore allow me to step to the cor
ner to summon a carriage for these
| two excellencies?'
The captain of gendarmes hesitated
| for a half-instant, frowned, and then
nodded
Naturally, you only do your duty,
| monsieur captain" suggested Roleau,
but excellencies like these must not
walk. Excuse me, then?"
Those who fingered for an instant
saw Roleau walk leisurely toward the
corner, raise his hand as though in a
signal, and then break into a run.
Wait" exclaimed Count Frederick,
as he saw the plan of the quickwitted
servant "If you leave US We also
might run away. We will pick him
up. no doubt. DO you tarry here with
US
In fact the captain Of gendarmes,
seeing his own party reduced by di-
visions to no more than couple OF
men beside himself, hesitated, and
! turned to secure the safety OF his
more important captives. While they
paused they heard the quick wheels
of a taxicab which drew up before
them After all, it was an open ques-
tion what had been Roleau's intent,
/ for certainly he had ordered this vehi-
| Gle to come hither. Making the best
OF the matter, the captain of gend-
armes motioned for his pr'soners to
| enter the car. =
Kitty turned to the silera man who
sat at her side. Count Frederick laid
a finger to his lips, counseling silence.
and gazed straight on ahead.
Thus, silent and aloof, they arrived
as prisoners at the grand entrance Of
the Hotel Ritz.
Kitty found herself face to face with
a large man in full uniform. a man
with heavy beard and merciless eye.
who now addressed himself TO his
subordinate:
"As to this man." he demanded,
why have you taken Count Freder-
lex OF Gretzhoifen?"
Merely as ultimate suspicion,
stammered the captain. we found
him in company with this young wom-
an in whose room the crime was COM
mitted. This other" he pointed to
Count Sachio, "also seems to have
known this young woman"