The Elbert County tribune., 1915-12-31

nOw.
The men who had covered the pris-
oners with their weapons. now sent
forward some of their number to car
ry out these orders. AS they advanced
Roleau sprang toward them. but was
held back by the hand OF the captain
of gendarmes-
"Quieti" said the latter Would
you have some of US killed? This
man wants only bit of coin. In the
name of heaven, to give that is cheap
er than to get killed."
Roleau fell back, and the work of
the searchers went on. But it was
not money that the apaches sought.
They took little count of the contents
of the pockets which they ransacked.
They turned at last to Kitty, and the
swift flush on her face kindled their
eyes with a suspicion OF some guilty
knowledge on her part. She had not
had time since palming the piece of
coin at the time of the original search
to conceal it elsewhere than in her
handbag 1t vas foregone conclu-
sion that it would be found there. The
thieves gave eSultant exclamations
when at length they saw the fruit of
their efforts-the piece of broken
coin. The man who searched Kitty's
bag held il up, grinning.
Before any had time to form a plan
there came a sudden cry from one or
more OF the apaches. An instant later
and all OF them were gone-passing
out the open window to the fire es-
WI, frl, laJ tn thn ofr
by the Lordi' exclaimed Sachio,
the first to speak. THAT was sudden
work He turned to Count Fred
erick. a certain anxiety in his own
gaze, for he might well fancy that
the latter held him in no too safe
position of friendship, since his own
late ransacking of the counts palace
here in Gretzhoffen town.
Who were they, think you?" in
quired Sachio.
"Who?" replied Count Frederick
They are thieves OF our beloved city
of Gretzhoffen-a part of organized So
ciety as 1t exists here. my friend, and
well organized. as is easy to be seen.
Blake. yonder, is their leader. His
home Is in the edge of this. city, and
his hand is ready enough, me thinks,
for any crime. Fifty, hundred men
or more are under his orders. Appar-
emily he has laid his plans well. l
thought as much when | last saw him
and his rats"
And when was that, Monsieur lie
Comte?"
AT no long time ago I paid him
| Vie a 4 OBJ
ging. Il learned enough to be ready
to suspect that man yonder or any OF
his tribe. They have broken and en-
tered these apartments. Within our
view they have committed robbery
from the person of this young woman
here. They have obviously taken what
they sought-whatever that may be.
l trust it was of no consequence, ma
demoiselle?"
Kitty took her cue from the calm
speech OF the count, her late rival,
but now rather her friend than this
other nobleman of Grahoffen.
She only in turn shrugged her own
shoulders and turned a somewhat re.
proachful gaze upon the. officers OF
the law, who stood about, helpless and
chagrined.
Count Frederick smiled. This"
said he. "is somewhat of a jest 1t
seems to me that our friends the
gendarmes submitted somewhat cas-
lily. At least they have gone-they
have taken what they liked, and they
have carried off their dead from the
field-if there have been dead here
Have you any notion beyond this, my
dear Sachio?"
But Count Sachio, thus smilingly ad-
jured, could add nothing to the fund
of information. He himself was left
alone. If his own man had been tlyc
victim, so much the worse for the
man himself. But these reflections
caused him no satisfaction.
I'VE must be out OF this now" he
exclaimed angrily, and strobe toward
the door. He flung it open, almost in
the face of the prefect. who was hur-
rying back to his demoralized asso-
ciates in the administration OF the
law.
The face of the prefect himself was
red with chagrin as he now strobe In
at the open door.
Gentlemen" said he. facing Count
Frederick, Il have indeed received
message from the king. 1t is entirely
in your favor
His majesty says, OF course" be-
gan Count Sachio
The prefect frowned, and turned
again to Count Frederick. His ma
jesty says Count Frederick and the
young woman are to be set free at
once. They are TO go where they like,
in full possession of their liberty.
"As for this nobleman"-and he
turned to Count Sachio at last. 81 am
instructed to set him free also, and