The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-09-30

their den for stolen goods-yes, yes, I,
know. But dare you go with me?"
Il must dare it," said Kitty firmly.
Perhaps my friends will follow me;
do not know-but even If not. Won
and l must get back what he has sto-
len from me-"
And what was 1t, excellency?"
mo more than broken bit of coin.
captain, Of value to none as it is now,
of great value to me provided l can
attain it and the other half
"You need say not more. The err
rand is enough to interest me-be-
cause now l shall have that fellow
Blake where have longed to find him.
He shall not ride with us again. But
come" he added.
They found their way through the
darkening streets in the purlieus of
Gretzhoffen town. Under the leader
ship of the chieftain they threaded
street after street, alley after alley,
until at length their party descended
into steep gully in less important
portion of the city. A faint light
showed through the chinks of a wall
which seemed to be the facing OF
bank. but which really concealed some
sort of den within
"Yonder, excellency," whispered
Landozi, sis the place where they hole
up-like rats in a sewer-and they
have no more principles-they are
| worthy of no more. Come, my men,
| close in"
| He pushed against the door round
which shone the CLEANS of light, and
fastened into sort of passageway.
Their entry attracted no attention for
the time.
Only two Of the gang remained, the
others having departed on one errand
or other Of their own. When Kitty
and her companion looked through the /;
little window, which gave in upon the !;
recess under the bluff, they saw sit |
ting close to the table two men;
Blake, the renegade, and another Of |
his band. The keen eye of Kitty de- !:
tected Blake's hand lying upon the !!
table-and near 1t the object which |:
she sought-the missing coin!
Quick" whispered Landozi, and as :
he spoke he broke into the room. :
Without hesitation he flung himself:
upon Blake, and Kitty, wishing to be !;
of service. and finding no better |!
means. caught up an empty bottle
which stood near and dealt SO inter |!
esting a blow upon the head Of the
remaining ruff1an as to put him out Of
thu hot A. A.
later she had caught from the table
the coveted coin. /!
Let him go, Landozi quick! !
Come! l have got it," she exclaimed. |;
| And an instant later she was in the |;
passageway once more.
She had almost made her way out
!, into the open. when in the. semidark-
ness she felt strong hand clutch at
her wrist-heard low laugh at her
ear.
"Roleau!" she cried aloud.
mo, not Roleau," said a voice she
knew we'll enough-the voice Of the
Count Frederick.
80, you have 1t! Very well, cling
to It, then-but don't drop 1t. To pre-
vent that l will even hold your hand
in mine"
you brute!" exclaimed Kitty, sob
bling now in the intensity Of her emo
tions-"after all have done to get
| it-and it IL mine!"
"Why argue it, my dear young
LADY," exclaimed Count Frederick. Il;
have told you must have it. regret
as much as you that must disturb
you."
Release me-let me go!"
Painting. she looked up at him In the
half light. What she saw was q face
grim and full of purpose face which
1t seemed to her she would always
hate-but in which at least there was
no trace of any fear.
"Come," he said, and flung an arm
about her waist as he stepped toward
the open. Let Roleau fend for him
self am satisfied with what l have:
now"
An instant later he halted. From
what sounds he heard at the rear, hei
knew escape was cut of there. And
now crowding in at the entrance of
the main gallery in which they stood,
there came yet others of the thievea'
band, barring exit there as we'll.
Count Frederick, shielding Kitty,
stood at bay. ,.....,..