The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-12-24
CHAPTER XIV.
The Quality Of Mercy.

Kitty as she still sat in her own apart
ment trying to make just estimate of
her own nece stiles and those of an
other.
III | sent to the police to rescue
him." she said to herself-and now
she called him" one who lately had
been her enemy-"they would only
laugh at me. They do as they like
these days. No one knows whose
friends they are-those OF the thieves
or OF honest people. No, it would be
useless to tell them.
II have it," she exclaimed half
aloud. 81 see 1t now. The king is
stIll afraid OF his people-he is hid
in his own palace now lest he see his
shadow-and all the time he is look
ing for strong mantle same who
he called to his side that night OF the
ball-Count Frederick. Very we'll,
King Michael wants Count Frederick
and he shall have him. That is to
say, he shall know where he is. Il
the king retains any power in this dis
tracted country, surely he can prevail
against thieves such as these. Yes,
| will write to the king"
Your majesty" she wrote. 1T
may interest you to know that Count
Frederick is being held a prisoner by
band of apaches, in their dive near
the sewers in the lower part of the
city Follow the desert road for
GrahOffeny take steps leading to cell
lar of last house on left side of road.
Kitty Gray"
The plan worked to perfection
was admirable Within two hours the
kings men had rescued the impris-
oned nobleman and brought him once
more to the palace. although Of this
Kitty knew nothing at ALL
Your majesty" he exclaimed when
at length he met the king, Il greet
your majesty with ioy-and | must
say with. surprise. How could you
know where | was-I sought in vain
to get out some word"
This was my advice" rejoined the
king, and placed before him the note
which he had but now received from
the young American. Frederick gazed
at 1t surprised. perplexed,
Again the American" he ex.
claimed. "She seems everywhere Is
1t not SO? swear"
Vow not at all. my dear count!
We do not yet know the end. She
writes this from a hotel in the city,
but no one knows where she may be
now. or what she may be doing"
Meantime the young lady of whom
they spoke actually remained at her
own hotel. plotting yet other things.
Count Frederick still had charge OF
her half of the coin-so she reasoned
to herself. In all proba bility he had
left 1t in the room where he slept In
his own palace. What better time
than the present, therefore. to make
one more visit in that dangerous To-
cality?
"Roleau," said she a few moments
later, after she had arrived upon this
resolution. Get our car once more"
Which way now, excellency? Must
you still go on in these dangerous ad-
ventures? Why not give 1t up? You
may lose your life"
81 cannot give it up, Roleau," re-
piled Kitty. This time it should not
be diflcult-we must make one more
effort for Count Frederick's portion OF
the coin"
That means we must go to the pal
ace?"
Kitty nodded. Soon the car was
speeding once more down the ave-
nues.
why do they still admit you here?"
asked Kitty OF Roleau as once more
they drew up in front OF the counts
palace. Il should think they would
forbid us both"
II am a person OF no consequence,
excellency. Once OF the household
stan OF a nobleman OF this land, one
is supposed to remain. You think him
harsh to mo--so 1t may seem. But
these others. they figure that | still
belong here. He would not speak
to others of the matter at all. So
am still admitted on the old footing"
But as to myself"
"Excellency, may not tell you
that"
why not?"
Because the truth may not wholly
please you You see, they admit you
because they think you still to be a
friend of Count Frederick-one of his
friends-I cannot explain"
Kitty, somewhat flushed. did not
press the argument. Enough for her
that once more they we're admitted
freely to the palace-and once more
passed back through the wide
halls until at length they stood at the
door of the sanctum sapctorum of the
places master-the little bedroom
where Kitty was convinced he kept his
secret of the coin
She placed Roleau on guard In the
hall while she herself went about an