The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-08-27

quick order OF the rat-faced apache,
who was now In charge OF this situa-
ton. We must hurry. Be careful
now"
The men who had covered the pris.
oners with their weapons now sent
! 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
you have some OF US killed? This
man wants only bit OF coin. In the
name of heaven, to give that is cheap
er than to get killed."
Roleau fell back, and the work OF
the searchers went on. But it 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 or
coin at the time of the original search
to conceal it elsewhere than in her
handbag 1t was a foregone conclu-
sion that It would be found there. The
thieves gave exultant exclamations
when at length they saw the fruit OF
their efforts-the piece OF broken
coin. The man who searched Kitty's
bag held it up, g-inning.
Before any had time to form plap
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 well 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 you?" in
CURED Sachio.
"Who?" replied Count Frederick.
They are thieves of our beloved city
Of Gretzhoffen-a part OF organized So
ciety as it 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, hundred men
or more are under his orders. Appar-
emily he has laid his plans well. |
thought as much when l last saw him
and his rats"
And when was that, Monsieur lie
Comte?"
AT no long time ago | paid him
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
chagrined.
Count Frederick smiled. This"
said he, rs somewhat of Jest. 1t
seems to me thas our friends the
gendarmes submitted somewhat cas-
lily. At least they have gone-they
have taken what they liked, and they
have carried off their dead from the
field-if there have been dead here.
Have you any notion beyond this, my
dear Sachio?"
But Count Sachio, thus smilingL' ad-
jured, could add nothing to the fund
of information. He himself was left
alone If his own man had been the
victim, so much the worse for the
man himself. But these reflections
caused him no satisfaction.
I'VE must be out of this now," he
exclaimed angrily, and strode toward
the door. He flung it open. almost in
the face OF the prefect, who was hur.
rying back to his demoralized asso-
ciates in the administration Of the
law.
The face of the prefect himself was
red with chagrin as he now strobe in
at the open door.
Gentlemen" said he, facing Count
Frederick, Il have indeed received a
message from the king. 1t is entirely
in your favor"
His majesty says, Of course" be
gan Count Sachlo.
The prefect frowned. and turned
again to Count Frederick. His ma.
jesty says Count Frederick and the
young woman are to be set free at
once. They are to go where they like,
in full possession Of their liberty.
"As for this nobleman he
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