The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-10-01
TENTH iNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER xxxVii.
The MISSING Victim,

The Missing Victim.
Whats all this ?" repeated the pre-
feet holly, looking from one to tn,
other of the group about him. "Woult
any of you make mockery of the
law?"
In turn the members of the I'm
willing and ill-assorted party gazed al
him and at one another.
Kitty Gray alone seemed to bring
to the situation different point Of
view For just one instant she was
of the belief that some hoax indeed
had been committed here by her serv
ant, perhaps in the interest of her
self. But the heavy frown of the Off
Ger fixed upon her face sobered her
quickly enough.
In turn she cast glance upon Ro-
leau and raised her brows in query
but that faithful soul only shook his
head to signify his own ignorance of
the nature of this new mystery.
Which of you has undertaken this
sorry jest?" demanded the project
again. Come, now, there was muir
der here. The town is afoot over it.
And now we come here and are told
there is no murder, or at least no VIC
tim of one! Where is the body? You
said you saw the man lying here"
He spoke to Roleau.
Your excellency, so he was" re-
piled the latter. ''He lay here on the
floor-directly where you see this
stain. This man here was bending
over him when / caught him. He was
searching for something on the body.
1t lay directly here when 1 left this
room, Monsieur lie Project. That is
all / can say"
The project in anger turned to
Blake, the apache leader. What do
you say?" he demanded.
THAT I should be set free!" smiled
the latter, showing his ragged teeth.
You, woman" the chief turned
once more to the incoherent maid who
stood wringing her hands--"what do
you mean by coming with such an
alarm, when there is no proof of
need?"
But l saw him lying there on the
hoor-there was blood"
But blood alone does not make
crime. There must be also the body
of the crime itself. We must make
further search. You will all remain
In custody until we have looked fur
Their. You will all go with us to the Ho-
tel de Vile for the further examina-
ton. We must find what bottom there
is to all this"
Il beg your pardon, Monsieur lie
Project" here interrupted the deep
voice of the Count Frederick. you
will do nothing of the kind so far as
/ am concerned, and SO far as this
young woman here is concerned"
The face of the project flushed in
surprise. How now, Monsieur le
Comte? You speak somewhat boldly, |
it seems to me-"
There is no need for argument |
over it," resumed Count Frederick. Il
was not here, as you well know, when
this crime was alleged to be commit
men found me elsewhere
almost at the moment of the crime it.
SELF My own people can tell you
where I was all the day before that
Moreover, this young wom-
an was not here, as l can testify.
she was at my house. As to this man.
whose name is Roleau, he was serv-
int at one time. l cannot say where
,e has been all the morning, but he
vas in my house, and apparently had
,een for some time when your men
lrrested US there-this young woman,
myself and him."
True, true" rejoined the official.
but all these things may come out I
t the examination" Ia
I'VE are not bound to join you in
his examination" rejoined Count
frederick coldly. $50 far as this no 1
leman of our sister kingdom is con-
erned 1t is something of an indig \
ity to hold him on any charge which
erhaps may not be made good. Would '
on think it well for our government
, be obliged to apologize to that Of {
at this timer" +
The project hesitated for an instant, t.
ordering which horn Of q possible a
lemma would be safest for him. "At q
asst may call upon his majesty him
III to declare his WILL" said he ut IL
myth. Il
Then lose no time." said Count n
sternly. Il fancy that his v
II you use my name, will Il
Try any message to his majesty from
at once. We are to remain here IL
fely-and you yourself may take up Of
"a question Of the message to the "