The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-30
The Broken Coin
By EMERSON EIOUGH
AsToRY OF MYSTERY AND ADVENTURE
Front the Scenario by Grace curard
(copyrIsht. 1913. /
CONTINUED from Yesterday

-Butr said Count saehio, afte: a
time S"the end never is till all is done.
True. we have failed at arms, your
majesty, but after all. that does not
affect the existence OF the Gret:hotrcn
treasure. I myself have been in that
room. have been beneath the walls
II know the very place where that
secret is concealed. Look, we have
all the coin-and even II this half is
counterfeit. their half, the true half
though 1t be, Is no more than half.
They cannot read the riddle OF their
own treasure. azi yet we know Il!
Who, then, has wca this battles
Riches are needful for any king With.
out the secret which We ourselves
hold, what may they hope? No, not
ellis yet lost. your majesty"
The old king turned upon him his
burning eye. Count Sachio," said
be, SOU have disappointed me time
and again regarding yonder coin; yet
after all, of all my noblemen, you
haze been the most successful, for
surely You brought to US the secret.
That is true. At one time We had all
the coin. Long We have had half the
coin. Today We held 1t all in our pos.
session, and we still hold It. Bring
me the coin. want to examine both
halves once more with my own eyes"
1T is well. your majesty. will go
get both halves. We will compare
them"
Count sachio fastened to the room
where on his return from the battle.
field he had changed his dusty apparel.
His tunic and trousers lay where he
had left them. Evidently his orderly
had fed.
Count Sachio took up the trousers
and thrust a hand into a pocket. He
knew where he had kept tho coin, in
his little leather folding porleE!on.
male. But he withdrew his hand and
looked at It curiously. The blank look
on his faco remained as he felt quick.
" in other pockets OF the same gar.
ment, as he searched ne.vously
through every pocket OF the tnnic
which he had discarded.
When Count Sachio returned 10 his
king he was in deep pallor; conster.
nation sat on his face.
We'll. well, Sachio!" demanded that
monarch. testify, You have on your
face NOW the same look which have
learned to know. But surely you have
not failed. Come, let me see it."
z cannot, your majesty. It ID
Eonei" /
Gomez Yet you had III" !
Yes, your majesty. Both halves-I
had them both. You yourself gave
them in my keeping on the field. I
was responsible for them. that is true.
But. see here where l hid them-ey.
! erythins Is empty now. They have
been taken away by someone. And
who could have known of IT."
Asilence fell upon the group.
-Stay!" added saehio little later
there was a man, prisoner, who
was brought to me Just before our re-
treat began-the man named Roleau.'
Find that mani" said Cortislaw,
colby. returning savage eye upon
saehio.
The prisoners taken by the Grahot.
ten men, more by chance than plan
IN their own tempestuous retreat,
had been grouped under loose guard
IL the rear compound OF the Grahoffen
palace. II was with them that Roleau
had been confined. Thither Count
sachio now turned his steps. Hastily
be INQUIRED of this officer and that, Of
this prisoner and that.
once more the spy Eoleau had es-
raped!