The Washington times., 1915-08-01

for the young woman, whose |
adventures now had carried |
her Into such det perate case. Behind -!
her still rose the sounds of combat, |
where Roleau and L6ndozi fought with
the occupants who remained in the
thieves den. On ahead. in the pas
sageway. others OF the gang swarmed
In. cutting off exit by the main gallery
And here, holding her as his prisoner,
was the man she feared most Of them
all. as the most apt to win in this
contest for the possession Of the COIN
Frederick. the nobleman Of Gretzhof-
fen, whose resolution matched her own.
She beat at him with her hands as he
swung her lightly from the ground,
but he only smiled at her protests
only smiled when he saw himself out
numbered by these newcomers who
confronted them in the main exit At
bay. he stood beside his captive and
waited those who sought to make them
both caDtives.
From mansion to cottage, from the
royal palace to the dens Of outlaws and
th1eves-such had been the travels Of
this fateful coin! Hope. despair, ad-
venture. risk-these We're close about 1t
all the time. 1t seemed The very touch
stone Of hazard, invoking even the risk
Of life on the part Of tnose who ven-
tured Its pursuit, These men were des-
perate, would kill for less excuse than
offered now. They saw their own lit
tie underworld kingdom invaded. and
sne hrst motto for them at, all times
was that dead men tell no tales.
Roleau and LandoZi, seeing that Kit
ty had escaped. glared at one another
Tor a moment before they understood
what they heard they knew that sne
still was besieged in the man entry
way. moment later Roleau forced
M, ms way o.e out Of the rear entry Of the
agile as himself. They armed them
selves at the car which had brought
them hither. and sprang forward to the
entrance OF the main gallery. eager to
assist the woman wnom they both
sought to serve.
This fanking attack upon the enemy
was more than offset by the march in
the rear Of the main enemy himself
Ing himself freed of his assailants,
sprang into the passageway after X tty.
She. as he knew very we'll. was in
possession OF the COIN. He found her
tall man whom he never before had
seen, and who now showed small fear
Of himself or Of the others confronting
him. There was no time for Blake to
figure upon what relation these two
might have-the coin was all he cared
for.
Give 1t to me" he demanded as he
sprang at Kitty with a raised weapon.
Count Frederick stepped toward him.
"Felow: what is it that you want?
Leave this young lady alone"
He has it! Search him. exclaimed
K!tty quickly. pointing to Frederick
himself. That individual experienced a
swift surprise at this sudden turning
OF the tables upon him. But the russo
laid hands upon Count Frederick and
hailed him back to the rear of the sub
terranean passageway. Believing that
he had taken the con from Kitty. they
set her advice into vigorous effect at
once.
A pair of thieves still guarded the
exit. but these now were to meet the
escaped Roleau and his confederate, as
pared for 1t. Kitty heard rapid shots.
the acrid smell OF powder filled the
place Then. before she had further
time for thought, she felt herself hurried
forward. the strong hand Of Roleau
Quick. excellency." he called, there
10 yet time
As she felt the cool air Of the outer
trace of her despair. The coin still
was In her hand-she might yet es-
cape
Roleau turned and hurried KITTY to the
two horses which had brought I.andozi
and herself thither. An instant later
they were mounted and fleeing, leav ns
Landozi to fend for himself. as they
we'll knew he could. What interested
them more was the cries OF the two
ruffians who themselves had sprung to
the car and now were Cranking II furi-
ously with the intent of pursuing them
in their own motor.
Within the den where these things
had occurred Frederick. count of Gretz-
hofren, now was prisoner to the rat
faced leader Of the apaches. the rene
gade Blake. The latter stood menacing
him.
why he agitoted my fr,end?" de-
manded the nobleman. cody enough.
"You see I have not the coin. The girl
has outwitted you-myself as well I
swear. her wit is n'mble enough! She
has left me-and you-in the lurch. and
has escaped once more. She has flung
me to you. as Russian travellers some
times fling something to stop the wolves
which pursue them. While YOU are rend-
ine me she gains time. But why rend
me? If had the coin would give 1t
TO you now for fancy a whole throat
more than do a divided coin. But you
see I haven't IT."
"Nor have l." assented Blake. ruefully
enough.
"Ah? Perhaps you have something
else, my friend-a cigarette. let us say7"
Blake tossed him a box Of cigarettes.
and Count Frederick ~ one calmly:
Gade leader. ~ am forced to believe
what you say-the coin II gone. no one
knows where by now. But you yourself
shall remain here until my men bring
back those two-the girl and tho ruffian
who used US go hard In her defense.
Iandozi-he is safe enough. We DO not
ooAr him. for in a way he 10 our broth