Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-11-16

length he was close to the door which
barred him from that secret?
He did find closed door, in q part
of the subterranean chambers not yet
flooded by the waters of the moat
He could not find entrance-the door
was locked-he had no time to seek
for any key. Looking about him hast
lily, he saw only upon the floor scrap
of paper, an old, stained, charred, dis
membered piece OF parchment, left
there by whose hand he could not
guess. Curiously regarding it, he
picked 1t up to examine it more closely.
1t bore some ancient inscription which
he could but i'll decipher-an inscrip-
ton in Latin. Count Saehio cudgeled
his wits to bring to his aid such store
of knowledge Of dead languages as
once was his in his college days. Hur-
ried as he was. and disjointed as the
| inscription was, he could make but
little of it..
by the rood" exclaimed he, here
is something strange enough-a parch-
ment from God knows where, by God
knows whom. 1t says something
about king or an heir to kingdom
| it says something about an abduc-
ton. Why, here we come upon pref
| ty story. I'll warrant half my chance
| of reward in this war this paper has
something to do with the secret of
Gretzhoffen. At least / will take it
| with me-
| He thrust it into his pocket and hur.
ried on into the open to join his fee
| ing comrades. Even as those left be-
hind in the palace began to take coun-
sci OF restoring some order after the
ruin which had been wrought, Count
Sachio. in possession of one more I'M
finished secret, was outside the walls.
AS he passed from the front of the
| palace, he came directly in the line
of vision of Kitty, who was watching
the retreat of the Grahoffen forces.
Something in Sachio's haste. his air
of uncertainty withal, attracted her at
| tention.
I'm sure" said she to herself,
| there is some mischief in his mind
AS a rule it has been safe to follow
yonder rascal will do so now" And
| that she did.
Sachio fastened out through the pal
ace grounds, bound for some path
which without question was familiar
to him, and which now he fancied
would offer him quick egress from a
situation SO lacking in attractions.
In Sachio's mind was but one
thought. He was cogitating even as
he fled upon the contents of the pa
per in his pocket. Half he drew it
out as he fastened. "a king" said
he" abducted; who was he? What
was his age-what king? 'Tis indeed
a cunning plot to vex my soul yet
| further"
In Kitty's mind. as she followed him
with her eyes, and presently followed
him in person, there was no inkling
of this problem which was troubling
| good Count Sachio. What concerned
her was some indefinite feeling that
she must keep him in sight. Once
more her instinct proved of service.
Count Sachio passed among the
shrubbery of the place, eager to find
such shelter as he INSTRUMENTATION
which would offer him safety and an
opportunity to examine yet more thor
oughly this curious bit of paper which
he had safe in his pocket. He thrust
this way and that A button of his
coat entangled in the branch of a
shrub. He detached it hastily and
passed on. AS he did so, he did not
notice that his cherished bit of paper
left his pocket and fell upon the
ground. Trust eyes as keen as Kittys
to note this incident of his flight. An
instant later she had bounced upon it
and was herself hurrying for conceal
ment. Once more her wits were at
swords point with those of the dough
test of her foes.
Kitty herself, glancing hastily at that
paper, could make no more of it than
had Sachio. What can it mean?"
thought she. But whatever it meant,
of one thing she was sure-Count
Sachio would return for it.
She had not long to wait to find this
suspicion confirmed. Soon she heard
him hurrying back-saw him bending
over the place where he last had been
sure of the possession of the paper
saw him look about here and there
hastily, hurriedly, eagerly. Now in
deed she was confirmed in her own
suspicious.
AHA, Count Sachio," said she to her
self, 'once more have something
which you covet."
She had occasion to find once more
that the possession Of something Count
Sachio coveted carried with it GER
tain danger to the possessor.
Looking this way and that for some
place of safety, Kitty saw thickly-
branching tree which to her notion
might offer a shelter. Without hest.
tation she climbed up hand over hand,
the paper with her, and sought such
concealment as she could in the
branches. From this place of vantage
she could look down and cover the
country to some distance. She could
see therefore little guard of Grahof-
fen soldiers who were returning, hunt
ing evidently for their leader, Count
Sachio. A moment later and they had
met
ut was here" said Sachio-"but
here dropped it. 1t must have been
taken-someone has followed me-
someone is concealed not far from
here. Come, men, we must search.
Twas bit of paper-of no value to
any but me, but must have it, do you
hear?"
Like some hounds questing for the
scent they scattered here and there
among the trees. 1t was left for Count
Sachio himself to discover Kitty's hid
ing place. He stood laughing as he
looked up.