The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-11-17
CHAPTER Lxxvll.
The Reckoning.

The Reckoning.
Now" said Count Frederick to Kit
ty when at length they had reached
the upper portion Of the palace, "we
must advance to what remains yet
/ to be done. Tho ministers must be
summoned. The writs must issue for
the attendance Of the parliament. IT'S
long since one has been convened
Michael the king--he alone has been
our government--and what q govern
ncnt!"
They were now passing toward the
central portion of the palace, having
ascended from the vaults below. Alb
sorbed- intent--Gonnt Frederick, at
least. was inattentive to aught else
save the presence OF the woman at
his side. But now sshe plucked his
sleeve. y
'Listen!p said she. and laid q finger
on her lips.
AT her signal, Count Frederick soft
ened his footsteps aud walked with
her stealthily. Tho sound Of the
voices engaged in whispered CONVEX
sation came now to his ears. Sud-
denly4he stepped forward, convinced,
flung open door of the main hall.
and passed within unannounced. 1t
was no time for formalities in Gretz-
hoffen palace now.
So said he, you are here again.
What, Sachio, you honor us yet by an
other visit? That is most kind OF
you! You, Grahame. you, my former
bodyguard-here with this arch trai.
tor. this liar, this treacherous snake!"
They stood, surprised as yet with
out plan for their defense.
"Ho, there!-the guard--the guard"
cried Count Frederick, stepping back
to the door. 49,. i;
:! But to his call there came no
footsteps of the guard. Instead.
one man came Roleau, who for the
past few moments had been in search
Of the two men. He fastened past
Kitty as she stood, thrust himself into
tho room, and with Count Frederick,
faced the trapped men who stood be-
fcre them.
Count Sachic, with q saarl of rage,
sprang forward at his foe, and Roleau,
with quick motion flung himself he.
tween, He felt the iron hand of his
master on his shoulder.
Leave him to me, Roleau! Take
caro- of tho other uaa."
The two noblemen faced one an
other calmly now. Not so with Re.
leau. On the instant, he flung him.
self upon the nan accostcd as Ora.
hamc. Tho struggle was unequal and
under Roleau's powerful grasp the
intruder soon was helpless.
Well" said Count Frederick; "sa-
chic, how shall it be? Shall / choke
YOU with my hands,"
Tho man whom no accosted was
ono not easily dismayed. He greeted
these words with q smile which
showed his white teeth. His own
blood was up. and fear was
a thing he did not know. FL
Suddenly his eye. rapidly .Ihncint
about tho room, sahght ti9ht OF z
trophy of arms huhgEacross ina room.
From 1t lie caught down two swordk
he handed both, NIT forward,
to Count Frederick. lat your service,
he said.
.On guard" said Count Fred
crick.
Lightly, gracefully, gently, the tips
Of the two blades met, shiyercd a
t,ife, ehc! fecling of tho other, scarce
more than q hairs breadth from its
course.
The icy eye of Count Frederick,
cold, merciless. locked into the dark
and smiling face OF Sachio.
II eHl going to kill you now" said
Count Frederick. SHALT 1t be soon?'
Tho answer OF Sachio was more
than q smile. Fiercely no whipped
free his blade. His knucklcs up. his
blade shot forward in long and dead
" lunge.
Suddenly the jaw Of Count Frcd.
erick shut tho tighter. None could
have said that no had seen what ell
sued. In some fashion. tho blade OF
The nobleman of Grctzhoffen went out,
vibrating, catching in its grip the
blade opposed to it. There was q
q twist. 4 Tho weapon OF
Count Sachio was torn from his hands.
he stood unarIned. He stood ono half
moment before he felt, Kissing hot
through all his body, the pointSof his
Count Frederick turned. not wait
ing to see his foe sink down, for he
knew tho work was done. He ad-
ganced half raco to the man era I
name, covering in the corner before
Roleau. Him hs smate across the
,heck with tho bloody blade, and said:
You coward AID traitor, you shall so
- Tim louyv .E