The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1915-07-29
lNSTAllMENT SIX
CHAPTER XXI.
In the Underworld.

Whichever way she turned, escape
seemed quite cut off for the young
woman, whose adventures now had
carried her into such desperate case.
Behind her still rose the sounds Of
combat, where Roleau and Landozi
fought with the occupants who re-
mained in the thieves den. On ahead,
in the passageway, others of the gang
swarmed in, cutting off exit by the
main gallery. And here, holding her
as his prisoner, was the man she
feared most of them all, as the most
apt to win in this contest for the pos
session Of the coin-Frederick, the no.
bleman of Gretzhoffen, whose resolu-
tion matched her own.
She beat at him with her hands as
he swung her lightly from the ground,
but he only smiled at her protests
only smiled when he saw himself out
numbered by these newcomers who
confronted them in the main exit. At
bay, he stood beside his captive and
waited those who sought to make
them both captives.
Roleau and Landozi, seeing that
Kitty had escaped, glared at one an
other for moment before they under
stood that they both were her friends.
From what they heard they knew that
she still was besieged in the main en-
try> way. A moment later Roleau
forced his way out the rear entry of
the den, closely followed by Landozi,
as agile as himself. They armed
themselves at the car which had
brought them hither, and sprang for
ward to the entrance of the main gal.
lery, eager to assist the woman whom
they both sought to serve.
This fanking attack upon the en-
emy was more than Offset by the
march in the rear of the main en-
emy himself-Blake, the renegade.
who, finding himself freed of his as
sailants, sprang into the passageway
after Kitty. She, as he knew very
well, was in possession of the coin.
He found her there in the company of
a stranger-a tall man whom he never
before had seen, and who now showed
small fear of himself or of the others
confronting him. There was no time
for Blake to figure upon what relation
these two might have-the coin was
all he cared for.
Give it to mel" he demanded as
he sprang at Kitty with a raised
weapon.
Count Frederick stepped toward
him. Fellow, what is 1t that you
want? Leave this young lady alone"
"He has it! Search him!" exclaimed
Kitty quickly, pointing to Frederick
himself. That individual experienced
a swift surprise at this sudden turn
ing of the tables upon him. But the
ruse worked-unceremoniously the
apaches laid hands upon Count Fred
erick and hailed him back to the rear
of the subterranean passageway. Be-
lieving that he had taken the coin
from Kitty they set her advice into
vigorous effect at once.
A pair of thieves still guarded the
exit, but these now were to meet the
escaped Roleau and his confederate,
as keen for conflict as they, and bet
ter prepared for it. Kitty heard rapid
shots, the acrid smell of powder filled
the place. Then, before she had fur
ther time for thought, she felt herself
hurried forward, the strong hand Of
Roleau upon her arm.
Quick, excellency," he called, there
is yet time"
AS she felt the cool air of the outer
world upon her cheek Kitty shook off
a trace Of her despair. The coin still
was in her hand-she might yet es-
cape.
Cut off by some of the apaches from
the car toward which they sprang, Ro-
lean turned and hurried Kitty to the
two horses which had brought Lam
dozi and herself thither. An instant
later they were mounted and fleeing,
leaving Landozi to fend for himself,
as they well knew he could. What
interested them more was the cries
of the two ruffians who themselves
had sprung to the car and now were
cranking it furiously with the intent
of pursuing them in their own motor.
Within the den where these things
had occurred Frederick, count of
Gretzhoffen, now was prisoner to the
rat-faced leader Of the apaches, the
renegade Blake. The latter stood
menacing him.
why be agitated, my friend?" de-
manded the nobleman, coolly enough.
You see | have not the coin. The
girl has outwitted you-myself as
well. l swear, her wit is nimble
enough! She has left me-and you
in the lurch, and has escaped once
more. She has flung me to you. as
Russian travellers sometimes fling