The Elbert County tribune., 1915-12-31
TENTH lNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER xxxvII.
The Missing Victim.

What's all this?" repeated the pre-
feet hotly. looking from one to the
other of the group about him. Would
any of you make a mockery of the
law?"
In turn the members of the un-
willing and ill-assorted party gazed at
him and at one another.
Kitty Gray alone seemed to bring
to the situation a 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 q 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 prefect
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
fioor-directly where you see this
stain. This man here was bending
over him when l caught him. He was
searching for something on the body.
1t lay directly here when l left this
room. Monsieur lie Prefect. That is
all l can say"
The project in anger turned to
Blake, the apache leader. What do
you say?' he demanded.
That | 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
foor-thero was blood"
But blord alone does not make a
crime. Thnre must be also the body
of the crime itself. We must make
further search. You will all remain
in custodr until we have looked fur
ther. Yop will all go with us to the Ho-
tel de Vile for the further examina-
tion. Wp must find what bottom there
i. tc all this"
Il beg your pardon. Monsieur lie
Frefect," here interrupted the deep
voice of the Count Frederick. you
will do nothing of the kind SO far as
l am concerned, and SO far as this
young woman here is concerned
The face of the prefect flushed in
surprise. How now, Monsieur lie
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
ted-your men found me elsewhere
almost at the moment of the crime it.
self. My own people can tell you
where / was all the day before that
moment. 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 a serv-
ant at one time. / cannot say where
he has been all the morning, but he
was in my house, and apparently had
been for some time when your men
arrested us there-this young woman,
myself and him."
True, true" rejoined the official,
but all these things may come out
at the examination"
I'VE are not bound to join you in
this examination" rejoined Count
Frederick coldly. so far as this no
bleman of our sister kingdom is con-
cerned it is something of an indig-
nifty to hold him on any charge which
perhaps may not be made good. Would
you think it well for our government
to be obliged to apologize to that OF
Grahoffen at this time?"
The prefect hesitated for an instant,
pondering which horn of a possible
dilemma would be safest for him. AT
least ! may call upon his majesty him
self to declare his WILL" said he at
length.
Then lose no time" said Count
Frederick sternly. Il fancy that his
chamberlains, If you use my name, will
carry any message to his majesty from
us at once. We are to remain here
safely-and you yourself may take up
the question of the message to the
palace Tell his majesty that Count
Frederick of Gretzhoffen and Miss
Gray of America are held here, sus-
poets. under 30 grave and so absurd a