The Spectator., 1915-12-28
NINTH iNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER xxxIil.
The Trap,


 us end all this
 The voice of Count Frederick was agitated For once he had met a sit uation sufficient to shake him from his calm.
 Kitty Gray made no answer, as she shrank back, the coin tightly clasped in her hand. She cast on him a look so full of womanly anger as might have scorched him-an anger now de- void of fear. Gagged, trapped, left with out resource, helpless in the hands of her enemy, still she seemed deadlier than that enemy now.
 ''Wiu you not?" The mans voice had in 1t now something almost of pleading Count Frederick felt some thing of shame at his own part in this.
 "No!" she answered at length, her own voice low and even, panting out the words. No, l will not Come and take it from me if you dare. You have done that once. why not again?"
 He turned away with sudden ges- ture, his face red in chagrin over the justice of her taunt.
 You remember that?" said he. What remains? Must I be yet more rude with you? It is not that l like the part, mademoiselle; be sure of that. It was not myself but my man who laid hands upon you that other time"
 "He is still your man. You yourself still are willing to persecute woman and a stranger You are no better than he"
 Suppose l am not. then. Does 1t look as though you would gain much by defying me? Come, now. The coin is nothing to you; 1t is everything to me. I swear 1t Is more than I thought 1t ever would be. It is life and death for me, and more than that, made moiselle. Would you stand between me and an ambition such as that? l would repay you a hundredfold in any way you needed, if you would but lis- ten to reason. But perhaps woman does not know the word for reason"
 No. I do not I remember only one word, and that is hate for you! When my chance comes 1 shall still remem- Der that. In turn I will put you be- hind the bars if ever the opportunity comes to me. And you shall stay there always for all of me. hate you!'
 Count Frederick smiled grimly. There is comfort in that word, made moiselle," said he. Rather that than leaden-eyed indifference, at least. But rar l hat hn am indifferent toward you. I only at least, mademoiselle, I try only to think of the coin and what it means to me"
 If it belonged to you, monsieur, it would have gone to you long ago. If you ever owned it you would own it now"
 A sudden change came over the face of the nobleman as he caught the con viction in these words. They touched for him some consciousness long left unawakened
 What do you mean?" he asked in a low voice What is it that you mean when you say that?"
 When Frederick Count of Gretz- hoffen, deserves this coin; when he earns it; when he gains title by virtue of right thoughts and deeds, then per haps it will come to him; surely not before. This coin" she held it now out before her in her hand, it will come eventually to that place where it be- longs. It is seeking for that place now. The people really own it. They ask freedom and justice and liberty. And now you ask me why l cling to it; why it clings to me. I suppose it is because something impels me, com pels me to do what have done"
 Count Frederick turned to compose himself to situation of greater com fort. As he did so, and about to seat himself upon the lower stair, some- thing fell from the pocket of his coat; something which he had brought with him from his room. in the hope that 1t had not been observed there by this woman. It fell now face upward on the stair between them, and he saw that she had seen it. He accepted the fact, and at first did not attempt to pick np the little picture, for it was the little picture which he had brought with him from his room.
 You saw, mademoiseIle?" said he. T had hoped that you would not"
 Yes. I see 1t now; saw 1t there In your room" answered Kitty con- temptuously. You ask why venture into your apartments now and then. Have not the right? May not claim my own property? I am not familiar with the laws of Gretzhonen. Indeed, 1t seems to me there are no laws in this land. Not knowing how to re