The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1915-12-04

ueuchdmpGf. lie rQSneQ on through
the wide hall, down the stairs to :he
floor below, and back TO the point
whence led down the galleries of the
cavern 8 floor under the castle itself
He smiled now grimly as he has
tened AS yet he was unhurt and as
yet he was unsuspeoted. Once more
his sanguine soul lusted for success
and counted on IT,
lie met no opposition, heard no
where in these portions OF the palace
any football or any voice. Thus fer
a moment or two he strobe on-and
then paused, frozen in his stride by
that which confronted him.
Sachio was sure that he had seen
the last Of the young American. He
reasoned that in all likelihood Count
Frederick-of whose absence he knew
quite well through his own secret
agents-had Joined her somewhere
He knew OF the wreck of the Prinz
Adler. Sachio was clear In his own
mind that these two enemies of his
were gone, never again to confront
him
And yet now, as though spirits sum
moned by his own thoughts, they
stood before him-both of them-the
tall nobleman and the slender, shrink
Ing girl leaning on his arm. Yes, It
was they His enemies had arisen
from the very grave to confront him.
lie paused irresolute, unnerved, not
believing what he saw, and for the
time himself made no speech.
What do you here, Sachio?" broke
in the deep voice of his enemy, once
his friend-a friend once too often
betrayed,
Il came by virtue OF my sword"
said Sachio, boldly now. seeing that
he might not evade this issue.
BY virtue of your sword only shall
you escape from here, Sachio," said
Count Frederick, calmly. Stand back
of me, mademoiselle, and give me
reach"
In a flash the swords of the two
went out and joined in the encounter.
Each was an excellent swordsman, and
for a moment neither had advantage.
The young girl screamed in terror at
the sight, for she knew the redoubt-
able reputation of Sachio as a swords
man, and long ere this she had Sc
lected the one whom she desired to
see victor in this or any encounter.
But Count Frederick did not glance
her way. His eye was still fixed on
that of his opponent. Only, softly,
gently, he repeated to her, Stand
back, mademoiselle Give us room"
Sachio was full of tricks. He had
no wish to waste time here, and yet
knew not how to pass the blade now
opposing him. Suddenly he flung up
his hand to his chest as though struck,
hoping to find his foe off his guard
for just an instant. 1t did not result
so. The steady point of Count FRED
erick lay cleaning before his breast
ready to thrust. And for another rea-
son was this subterfuge worse than
useless one for Sachio. AS he caught
his hand against his bosom there
came from its concealment in his
pocket something metallic, which fell
upon the floor 1t rolled but briefly,
for it was not round-this piece of
metal. 1t was a half coin.
Upon this Kitty fell with a sudden
Try. She knew in a fash what was
his bit of metal She knew how {
5achio must have priced it, and now
low Sachio, in the luck of the game,
lad lost, and lost by his own hand.
Agile as cat, the girl stopped, ran
H. and emerged with the bit of metal
n her hand And still the eyes OF
he two fighting men dared not turn
Ter way. Sachio laughed, and tossed
ver his shoulder taunting word.
1T is worthless, mademoiselle," said /
e-" "counterfeit-'tis nothing
Count Frederick said nothing, but :.
e heard her words coming to him
ow from behind his shoulder.
Il have got them" she exclaimed, I
both halves Of the coin-they are t
are ours-I am going now h
come quick-as soon as you can"
But the cold eye of Count Frederick
ever turned from the face OF his ad-
ersary. He made no answer to these d
-ords, although he heard the sound q
her footballs back OF him as she fled s.
own the hall toward the interior of :,
le caverns.
well, Sachio," said Count Fred
lick, your trickery failed Your at o
Ick has failed at every point. Fate =
shts against you, Sachio. You have p
st the toss of the die You have lost
lie coin"
The strong wrist Of the swarthy A-
obleman covered his breast with his
'tended steel His eyes, bold even
this extremity, met that Of his op-
'nent. But Sachio knew the die in
'ed was cast. He knew now that he
ID failed. II,
For one moment he edged on inch
inch, endeavoring to reach a point
om which he might spring past
'ederick, and so follow the fleeing
RI down the passageway But always
e other edged inch by inch in front du
him. Always the cold eye looked OF
to his. Always the steady steel ca
enaced him. kl'
Yes, Sachio," said Frederick, once o.. 81.
)re, cOldlV 81 shall kill Won Cbou N''