The Washington times., 1915-09-19
CHAPTER XLVII.
By Process of Elimination.

"HE weapon of the renegade leader
Blake was aimed steadily enough.
i But the fraction Of time In which
Roleau changed the position he
had taken saved the life Of one man
and cost that OF another.
1t was the fellow thief. Blake's COM
rode. fresh from the rendezvous, who
fell under the bullet intended for Ro-
LEAH himself.
Blake spranS forward. cropping under
cover OF the smoke. to ind the body Of
his enemy. stopped. paused. sprang
back-it was not Roleau, but his owr
man whom he mad slain!
Rolcau by this time. with no more
than a quick fash Of self-congratula-
ton at his unexpected safety, had
sprung away. Blake called out to his
followers and started after Roleau. He
did not meet him at the outer opening,
but ran into the arms Of the band Of
gendarmes who had followed Roleau
hiti,cr.
Seeing the renegade. pistol in hand.
and knowing that he had fired the shot
Just heard. the sergeant seized upon
Blake and disarmed him. The apache
leader fought with all the bitter desper-
alton OF his kind when cornered. crying
aloud for help. His cries brought others
OF the band. who joined in the melee.
doubt as between the lawful and the
lawless-these last two factions who
We're locked in struggle by reason Of
the fortunes Of the missing coin.
At this juncture Roleau flung himself
Into the conflict His giant strength
proved such aid that finally the SER
geant and his mon had subdued not only
Blake. the leader. but others Of his
bang; a. As for Roleau: he stood grinnins
further attempt at escape. Neither did
the officer make any movement to ap-
prehend him again.
Come with me: then. my friend" said
US We shall see what we shall see
Wherefore, Roleau. no longer under
espionage. went back with the gen.
dTmes toward the headquarters of the
prefecture.
Much Of this was noted by Kitty Gray
herself, who arrived upon the scene in
time to witness this not unhappy end
or her own quest. Count Frederick In
turn found his own errand done. These
two likewise turned toward the Hotel
Monsieur lie prefect." announced the
sergeant, when at last they had reached
the presence Of that official. this man"
and ts ia KIN h Fl Fiat hs Is Shss %h
! do not understand
us this the truth. fellow? demanded
the prefect Of Blake;
And so we shall. my friend" reJoined
the prefect. I'VE shall use means to
get the truth from you, or some Of you
Come, now. l have seen you before
What do you know about yonder mur-
You we're there. This very man Roleau
here brought you before us. Why were
you there?"
prove it ALI" grinned Blake once
more.
The sound Of the entrance Of others at
the office now attracted their attention.
Your excellency," announced the SER
geant. these others. the young Ameri-
The prefect turned his gaze upon the
new arrivals. himself none too we'll
pleased. He found them but compli-
eating factors here in his own business
OF We Rens we H'stm pesumes anr the he law wba, !.
all this about? We have now two men.
both OF whom know everything that
reeds to be known Of yonder murder.
one asES US NOW 10 prove IT. The
has said there was no murder because
there was no murdered man found.
What do YOU say now to this. sir? -
he accosted Roleau.
II say now. your excellency. that yon-
der thief and leader OF thieves. who
tried to kill me. knows all there Is to
be known OF the murder. He can tell,
II he likes. or II he does not like. He
wanted there what we wanted--we will
call 1t a jewel that he sought in her
gracious excellency's rooms. He guessed
that 1t might have value with persons
high In power in this country. That Is
why he followed US; that is why murder
was done there. They all sought some
thing. and we know what II was"
And what was 1t. then MONSIEUR
The voice of the prefect was less cer-
tain. He began to see that there might
be more under all this than had yet
been made plain.
THAT Is not to be proved. That is not
on trial" said Roleau. coolly. I'VE are
first to fnd who committed the MUIR
$50 then you cay there was one?"
Yes" said Roleau. fearlessly. II do