The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-25
IAE OMIN
AStoryof Mystery andAdventgre
By EMERSON TOUGE1 az
From the Scenario By "
GRACE CUNARD S sss2SMz


abundance at the palace as sooa as
might be. The king had. II seemed. a
communication which he desired to
make TO Count Frederick at once.
"consound bis royal hi~gtness!" ex-
claimed Frederick to himself. L never
leave him but he asks me back at
occe. He is always in some trouble.
ard / an 1~ll-diSposed now to be nurse
TO any king. for I have affairs OF ny
own to trouble me sufficiently"
Nevertheless. grumbllng, he went
his way 70 the palace. for the royal
wlll was something not yet at least to
be set aside.
Good: Count Frederick" Michael
greeted him. n asked your return be-
cause Of q sudden thought that had
come TO my mind"
AS to what, your majesty? Did It
come to you alone, unassisted:"
The king was too much preoccupied
TO concern himself with sarcasm.
Yes, assuredly. It is regarding the
coin"
THE coin! Thought your majesty
cared little for it-so little that you
gave It away masked TO one who is
not even Of our councry-a stranger
the young American"
Precisely. That is true. And I had
cause for my act. But, see you, one
does not make gifts uurequited. Now
the young American has disappeared,
and so has TIE coin. Perhaps. rather,
should reverse that, and say that the
coin has disappeared and With It tho
young American. At least, that Is to
say-they both r gone. So I sent
for you. my dear Frederick, to tell me
what to CO."
The nobleran stood for a moment
but half coacealing his real feelings.
gauging the man before hin, this iui-
tation Of a king.
She was a Eost charming young
person." began the king, trying TO
conceal his own thoughts. DO you
not think such hair as hers is rare?'
Rare. indeed. your noajesty-sse is
in all things rare" suddenly ex'
claimed tie count
And where Is she gone"
q do rot know have no idea"
But you can fad her-you certainly
can bring her back"
q hope It, your r~ajesty-I ho7e It
very much. But theo, as TO the coin?"
10 added. somewhat mal!ciousiy-for
be knew well enough where a the
wind in royal quarters.
"oh. yes. about the coin. Well, /
Sas only going to ask you to ind II
Tor me-"
That seems simple. your majesty!
Even though / do not know where the
young girl is"
That is why I ask you, my dear
count"
agreed then, your majesty. OF
what use Is a servant Of the king II
DO cannot do the kings will? ! &C
cept your errand. / will soon return
TO you the coin-at least, hope so.
After all. perhaps it has no such value
as you seem to think am sure it has
less value for you than otter things
that we might mention"
Count Frederick did not add aloud
what was in his own mind-the truth
that the coin had more value for
nin than he at any time before now
had believed.
Presently be excused himself from
the royal presence and departed to
put into effect a little plan OF his own
which be fancied might blunt both
horns OF this dilemma into which the
naivete Of King Michael so suddenly
lad placed him.
As luck would have It, there had
been thrown into his hands the kings
hall Of the coin.
Count Frederick thought for a mo-
nent before be made q plan. Then
ns made q hurried Journey to q GER
snin, sIlversmith In whose skin he had
much confidence.
Make ne" he said as he laid upon
the counter his piece OF the coin-"a
replica OF this-absolutely, line for
line, 30 that ! myself cannot tell the
two apart Do you hear met Can it
DO tone7"
Yes. excellsncy," said the workman,
1t can be don-so nicely that I my.
SELF scarcely could tell them apart"
Then quick with It." said Count
frederick. How soon?"
BY tomorrow. ezcellency, / promise
Tou q duplicate"
It was therefore on the MORROW
that Count Frederick was able once
more TO visit the royal palace with q
mind more at peace with circum-
stances. With him he carried what
vas apparently the kings half OF the
soin which he had given to the young
American SO careIessly, and which
sow at once he coveted again-since
ne young American herself was gone.
so soon!" exclaimed Michael. You
are the acme Of punctiIiousuess and
efficiency. my dear count. You are
indeed q man Of results. Go now to
ny cabinet again and help yourself to
such jewels IS you fancy"
NO more, your majesty. I thank
you. II / have been Of service I am
pleased. Jewels are not for me. They