Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-10-12

man wants only bit Of coin. In the
name OF heaven, to give that ia chean.
er than to get killed."
hoieau fell back, and the work OF
the searchers went on. But 1t 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
mad time since palming the piece of
coin at the time of the original search
70 conceal 1t elsewhere than In her
handbag. 1t was foregone conclu-
sion that 1t would be found there. The
tnieves gave exultant exclamations
when at length they saw the fruit of
their efforts-the piece of broken
coin. The man who searched Kitty's
bag held 1t 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-
cape which led to the street below.
By the Lord!" 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 your" in
quired Sachio.
"Who?" replied Count Frederick.
They are thieves of our beloved city
of Gretzhoffen-a part of organized So
ciety as it 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, a hundred men
or more are under his orders. Appar-
emily he has laid his plans well.
thought as much when last saw him
and his rats"
And when was that, Monsieur lie
Comte?"
AT no long time ago l paid him
visit" said Count Frederick, shrug-
ging. Il learned enough to be ready
to suspect that man yonder CT 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.
! trust it was of no consequence, ma
demoiselle?"
Kitty took her cue from the calm
speech of the count, her late riva,
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, lis somewhat of Jest. It
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 the
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 project, who was hrr-
rying back to his demoralized asso-
ciates in the administration of the
law.
The face of the project himself was
red with chagrin as he now strobe in
at the open door.
Gentlemen" said he, facing Count |
Frederick, Il have indeed received a |
message from the king. 1t Is entirely |
in your favor"
His majesty says, of course" be-
gan Count Sachio.
The project 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" he |
turned to Count Sachio at last. Il am
instructed to set him free also, and |
to ask him not to add further compli-
eating circumstances by too long a
on this scene"
"But tell newly do you stand
here gazing thus?' he demanded of
his men, So then they were obliged
to tell him of what had TRANSFERRED
during his brief absence.
"Escaped-you allowed them to
come here and rob you in broad day
light-to add yet another crime to
that which has been committed here
and then you my men, allow them
to escape even from that. and without
pursuit? Surely this day the law is
humbled and abased in our sight.
Monsieur lie Comte, you will pardon me
IL say that had rather return to my
office now than to linger here"
But someone killed that man"
broke out the hysterical maid. who
all this time had been lingering about.