The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-10-01

quick order OF the rat-faced apache
who was now in charge OF this situa
ton. I'VE must hurry. Be careful
now"
The men who had covered the pris
oners with their weapons now SEM
forward some OF their number to car
ry out these orders. AS they advanced
Roleau sprang toward them, but was
held back by the hand of the captain
of gendarmes.
"Quiet!" said the latter. would
man wants only q bit OF coin. In the
name Of heaven, to give that is cheap
er than to get killed."
Roleau fell back, and the work oil
the searchers went on. But 1t was
not money that the apaches sought
They took little count of the contents
of the pockets which they ransacked
They turned at last to Kitty, and the
swift flush on her face kindled their
eyes with suspicion Of some guilty
knowledge on her part. She had not
had time since palming the piece OF
4 VIVA ~ tAlO sALhC VI tAO Ol16iAdl bOd1 III
to conceal it elsewhere than in her
handbag. 1t was foregone conclu-
sion that 1t would be found there. The
thieves gave exultant ordinations
when at length they saw the fruit OF
their efforts-the piece of broken
coin. The man who searched Kitty's
bag held 1t up, grinning.
Before any had time to form a plan
there came a sudden cry from one or
more of the apaches. An instant later
and all of them were gone-passing
out the open window to the fire es-
cape which led to the street below.
"By the Lord!" exclaimed Sachio,
the first to speak. THAT was sudden
work" He turned to Count Fred
erick, certain anxiety in his own
gaze, for he might we'll fancy that
the latter held him In no too safe a
position of friendship, since his own
late ransacking of the counts palace
here in Gretzhoffen town.
who were they. think your" in
quired Sachio.
"Who?" replied Count Frederick.
They are thieves of our beloved city
Of Gretzhoffen-a part OF organized So
ciety as 1t exists here, my friend, and
well organized, as is easy to be seen.
Blake, yonder, is their leader. His
home is in the edge of this city, and
his hand is ready enough, me thinks,
for any crime. Fifty, a hundred men
or more are under his orders. Appar-
emily he has laid his plans well. I i
thought as much when last saw him
and his rats"
"And when was that, Monsieur lie
Comte?"
"At no long time ago paid him a
visit" said Count Frederick, shrug-
ging. Il learned enough to be ready |
to suspect that man yonder or any of
his tribe. They have broken and en-
tered these apartments. Within our
view they have committed robbery
from the person of this young woman
here. They have obviously taken what |
they sought-whatever that may be. |
trust it was of no consequence, ma
demoiselle?"
Kitty took her cue from the calm
speech of the count, her late rival,
but now rather her friend than this
other nobleman of Grahoffen.
She only in turn shrugged her own
shoulders and turned a somewhat re.
proachful gaze upon the officers of
the law, who stood about, helpless and
Count Frederick smiled. "This,"
said he, sis somewhat of Jest. 1t
seems to me that our friends the
submitted somewhat cas-
lily. At least they have gone-they
have taken what they liked, and they
nave carried off their dead from the
1eld-if there have been dead here.
Have you any notion beyond this, my
lear Sachio?"
But Count Sachio, thus smilingly ad-
ured, could add nothing to the fund
" information. He himself was left ,
lone. If his own man had been the
'ictim, SO much the worse for the
nan himself. But these reflections
aused him no satisfaction.
1--WE must be out Of this now" he
reclaimed angrily, and strobe toward
he door. He flung it open, almost in s
he face of the project, who was hur- i,
ying back to his demoralized asso- {
iates in the administration of the l
NV. t
The face of the project himself was t
ed with chagrin as he now strobe in &
the open door. 8
Gentlemen" said he, facing Count b
reeerick, II have indeed received a t
lessage from the king. 1t is entirely Il
| your favor"
"His majesty says, of course" be- h
an Count Sachio Il
The project frowned. and turned h
gain to Count Frederick. His ma o.
'sty says Count Frederick and the
,ung woman are to be set free at cl
ice They are to go where they like, d,
full possession of their liberty. o.
AS for this nobleman"-and he tt
rned to Count Sachio at last. II am &c
to set him free also, and sc
ask him not to add further compli- to
ting circumstances by too long q &c
rrying on this scene" ",
% Pint toll v1o-mhu - v0,, | ~