The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-12-17
m sure / have seen him before.

with your own band, monsieur-hs
was one Of those who rode with YOU
the other day!"
"Ah. a slim man-sharp face
white?"
"Precisely-the same"
Il know him-Blake! He was with
US that day, yes, but promise you he
is not really of our brotherhood. He
is not worthy of association with gal.
liant gentlemen like ourselves. We
ride the trails-he creeps through the
alleys Of the city. We are borderers-
he is a common thief Blake-truly,
1t must have been he. No one OF our
own gentry would have robbed WON.
an. Now, you help me in your own
quest | know Blake's lurking place
He and his kind have sort of a den
in the low quarter of the town. The
project Of police leaves them pretty
much alone, because in these times
the officers Of the law have much else
to think about. Their opium lair
their den for stolen goods-yes, yes,
know. But dare you go with me"
81 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 1t. excellency?"
Mo more than broken bit Of coin.
captain, Of value to none as It is now,
Of great value to me provided | can
attain II and the other half
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
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 a 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. rs 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 Blakes hand lying upon the
table-and near 1t the object which
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 rufflan 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 a low laugh at heJ
ear.
"Roleau" she cried aloud.
mo, not Roleau." said voice she
knew we'll enough-the voice OF the
Count Frederick.
80. YOU have it! Very well. cling
to it, then-but don't drop 1t. To pre-
vent that will even hold your hand
in mine"
You brute!" exclaimed Kitty. sob
bling now in the intensity of her emo
all have done to get
it-and 1t is mine!"
"Why argue it, my dear young
lady?" exclaimed Count Frederick. II
have told you must have 1t. 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 face
grim and full of purpose-a face which
II 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 omen Let Roleau fend for him
self am satisfied with what | have
now"
An instant later he halted. From