The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1915-07-22


their den for stolen goods-yes, yes. I
know. But dare you go with met"
Il must dare IT," said Kitty firmly.
Perhaps my friends will follow me
do not know-but even II not, you
and must get back what he has sto-
len from me"
"And what was II, excellency?"
'No more than a broken bit OF coin,
captain. OF value 10 none as It is now,
Of great value to me provided / can
attain it and the other halt"
"You need say not more. The er-
rand is enough to interest me-be-
cause now / 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
dsrkening streets in the purlleus OF
GretzhOffen town. Under the leader
ship OF the chieftain they threaded
street after street alley after alley,
until a: length their party descended
into a steep gully in a less important
portion Of the city. A faint light
showed through the chinks of wall
which seemed 20 be the facing OF
bank, but which really concealed some
sort OF den within.
"Yonder. excellency." whispered
Landozi, 'is 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 a 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 II 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 blow upon the head of the
remaining ruffian as to put him out of
the combat for the time. An instant
later she had caught from the table
the coveted coin.
Let him go, Landozi - quick!
Come! 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 a strong hand clutch at
her wrist-heard low laugh at her
ear.
| iNOiSdus Sut tIltu
mo, not Roleau," said a voice she
knew we'll enough-the voice OF the
Count Frederick.
80, you have It! Very we'll, cling
to 1t, then-but don't drop 1t. To pre-
vent that will even hold your hand
in mine"
you brute!" exclaimed Kitty, sob.
blng now in the intensity OF her emo.
tions--"after all | have done to get
it-and 1t is mine!"
"Why argue it, my dear young
lady?" exclaimed Count Frederick. Il
have told you must have It, | regret
as much as you that l must disturb
you"
Release me-let me go!"
Painting, she looked up at him In the
half light. What she saw was face
grim and full of purpose-a 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-I am satisfied with what I have
now"
An instant later he halted. From
what sounds he heard at the rear, he
knew escape was cut off there. And
now crowding in at the entrance of
the main gallery in which they stood.
there came yet others OF the thieves
band, barring exie there as we'll.
Count Frederick, shielding Kitty,
stood at bay.