The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-12-17
CHAPTER XIX.
The Apaches.

me Apaches.
The man who had proved himsel
the last possessor of the kings half o.
the Gretzhoffen coin was the most un
worthy of any thus far concerned In
its destinies. True, Kitty's recollec
ton had been correct-she had indeed
seen him among LandoZi's condottieri
His name in truth was Blake-a rem
egade Englishman, who had for some
time belonged to the underworld OF
the capital OF Gretzhoffen. II, animal
ed by some greater ambition of his
own, he now and then Joined the bands
Of the desert rovers, his real prefer.
ence was for the underworld of the
city, where, with his comrades Of the
cheaper thieving gentry, he might for
the most part smoke or loaf in idle.
ness, not concerned in deeds of activ.
ity or daring. 1t had been by mere
chance of his prowling nature that he
had learned something about the own.
ership of the broken coin-had guessed
that It might have some value, and
had resolved to possess himself of it.
AS he fed now, therefore, he made
not for the desert so much as for the
dens Of his own sort in the purlieus
Of Gretzhoffen town itself When at
length, after his long ride across the
neutral country, he found himself once
more near to what he called home. he
cast loose his horse and completed his
journey on foot.
At the door of the underground dive,
where he counted upon meeting most
of his friends, he made the usual sign
Of admission. II was a choice band Of
kindred souls who rose to greet him
as he entered. They asked him what
cheer.
What have | done-what have |
taken?" Staggering, he pushed them
aside and threw on the table in the
center Of the room a bit of coin which
he took from his pocket
Something. comrades, am think.
ing"
A roar Of laughter broke from them
as, motley group, they surrounded
him.
you may laugh, comrades" said he.
"all you like; at the same time, I
venture you that coin will be worth
something to US before we are done
with IT,"
What is IT." exclaimed one, curt
ously, examining the inscription. IAN
old Roman coin, do you Think"
True, there is a mystery about it,
my DULLES, never doubt that. 1t is
mystery that will pay we'll when
solved. Besides, 1t might act as some
sort OF safeguard for us. There has
been plenty of talk of late that our
band may need friends to keep us
from the moose. Very well. them
think the ownership of this coin at
least will give us friends when we
may need them. Guard it well, that
same broken coin. my brothers"
What do you mean?" asked the
spokesman curiously. "Who has
sought 1t, them
Such men as Count Sachio of Ora.
hoffen. 1t was of him took 1t. There
was pursuing 1t, also, that same young
American-and that ruffian of hers,
who serves her so like a dog-Roleau,
| heard her call him. My word, he
had grip OF steel in his hands-he
well-nigh did for me before | could
make my escape, | saw Count Sachio
drop the coin upon the floor. | threw
my man so | could pick 1t up, and
then fed. My word TO you, brothers.
fed at speed! So here | am"
Now. while these thieves of the CITY
were holding their little conference,
their holder brethren OF the desert.
not so far away in their own rendez.
vous, were gathered for an evenings
converse-a dozen or more OF Ian.
dozi's band of desert riders, hail fel.
lows well met, friends of the kings
troops and enemies, as they boosted,
OF none but the rich. Their headquar.
tiers, as was generally known, lay a lit.
tie way back on the cross-trail of the
main road, between the two kingdoms
of Grahoffen and Gretzhoffen, which
crossed midway of the neutral lands.
When Kitty fed after the thief
Blake, it was at first with no definite
purpose of her own; but she had not
gone far before she realized that alone
she could accomplish little against
such men as he; and she doubted not
that he was on his way to Join his
comrades, What then was there to
do? Who could aid her?
Even as she rode the thought came
to Kitty's mind OF the debonair bandit
leader, Landozi, the same who had so
CALAMITY freed her and escorted her
to the city's gates but short time
before. She was woman enough to
N~~~~~-~~~~-~~~
tempt to smile. Her friend hesitated.