The Washington times., 1915-07-12
CHAPTER XIV.
A Prisnner

Having dispatched her messages,
Kitty Gray sat alone once more in her
room. There came to her mind onco
more the reflection that now she had
not even one portion of the broken ooin.
AS to that which had gone to the king.
she felt fairly sure she might regain 1t.
-As to that which had been taken from
her by force by Count Frederick. she
was far as ever from it's possession.
The simplest way Is the best" said
she once more. "I'll go back there
again"
Il was not so fortunate as to find
monsieur tho count at home BEFORE"
she explained to the attendants who
met her at the door. This very simple
explanation served to give her entrance
A second attendant met her politely as
she passed uncertainty down the great
hall followed by the knowing smiles OF
the lackeys who lined 1t. They had
seen her before, and her like. as they
fancied II.
Which way would mademoiselle GOT"
asked the chamberlain. Monsieur the
count has gone out but now
A sudden resolution came to Kitty's
mind even as a sudden flush came to
so? Then will wait his coming.
II you please. the apartments OF mon
sieur the count"
That Is to say-which?"
His private apartments-where mon
sieur the count sleeps" raped out
Kitty. her face now fairly crimson.
1t was a last desperate chance she wac
taking now. She took It because some
thing told her that II Count Freder OK
left the coin from his person at all he
would leave It in his private apartments.
He being absent, she trusted to her gooo
fortune now to make some search for
1t before he would return.
The black-silk stookinged house offi-
cial smiled superciliously. but led tho
way through passage after passage,
until at length he had come into a
remote portion OF distant wing OF the
Count Frederick. 1t soer,ed. slept
privately that he might sleep safely
or safely that he might be private
His bed chamber was but a small room
opening on very narrow court. It was
furnished simply. but even as Kitty
entered something about the place lea
her to believe that this was his sanctun
that here at last she would find what
she sought.
The man left her. and she cloaAd the
door. An instant later she was at work
turning over the articles on the dresser.
peering here and there. looking this
way and thnt-and unsuccessfully.
But meantime the attendant who had
left her. anxious to be Of service TO
his ,s,11a1 master; s:rs. sent out post haste to
He met the count himself, and yet an
terng the palace. Tho newcomer was
talking 20 the count excitedly.
"Excellency. I tell you the woman IA
outwitting you. She sent her half tho
coin this very morninF--sont It TO the
king by special messenger. saw it
felt 1t In the envelope. I am suro.
There is some plot afoot. And brought
| the news as soon as possible, but hnv.
searched for you long"
Come" said FREDERICK. and ho hast.
ened the more when he mot tho mossen.
ger advising him OF Kitty's presence in
the palace.
Her search still uneonpleted. Kist,
heard footsteps approaching. and turned
desperately like soma trapped animal
| There was no escape-tha narrow win,
dow. as she knew. was two Htor ca ahov,
the paved court below. And oven as Aho
stepped to the door nhe met thora thu
smiling, sardonio face OF Count Fred
erick himBelf.
The honor Ia m'no. madomoiAeiio T.
said he with Icy poiitness, True,
had not expected you"
| Bhamefaced. confused. for onos un'
| able to mako any explanation. Kitty
could but stand and stare at him. Al
instant later sho heard tho click Of tho
lock and tho passing of footsteps In
the hall once more, She was alone
She was a prisonerI
| Obviously. then. Count Frederick hat
| not left tho coin in the room. or n,
would not leave her there also. Che
had been placed In all this risk-ha6
thus compounded hsrssit-aii to ns