The Washington times., 1915-07-19
CHAPTER XVII.
Another Seeks the Coin.

Debarred by his own station in life
from participating In any such func-
tion as the state ball. the faithful Ro-
lesr had contented himself as best
might be by remaining at the hotel until
tho return Of his mistress. BY morning.
as soon as he got word Of her presence
IN her apartments. he sent word that
mands.
"Roleau." she said to him when they
There There Is still another journey across the
WHITTIER. excellenza?" inquired Ro-
leau For now he could not be per-
lady OF the highest quality. and .trav-
for reasons Of her own. "we cross the
desert ssain to Graheffen-why? :,
is only tc the hunting lodge Of the
Count sachio-the same place where you
and took the part Of two horse
called the ] eseapads se and ss' the escape. &C. s'
work enough to do here? We have not
,, yet the other half OF the coin. excel
"Koleau; listen! y! have neither half
.. ."EScellenza. you astonish me! How is
but 1t Is true,
How did 1t all happen? You have
first one and then the other half! We
both know what became of the first half
which you had. Count Frederick Sc
life did not pay the pric, as well. But
as to the other
That other half I had from the kings
own hand to my own keeping. Yester-
day / sent IT back to the king for his
safekeeping. in turn. for a time. know
that Count Frederick knew | had IT.
because he saw King Michael give It to
me; I sent it to the king. Roleau. for
last night. I feared to retain it-I want
ed to keep 1t safe for me. But when
my envelope was opened there-1 opened
It myself 1T was empty. Roleau' Be-
| was stolen. l know who was the thief"
And who. excslienza' Surely. 1t was
was not he. 10. it was Count saehio-
you would not have thought that?"
Count sachio. How could he know OF
It? Why should he wish it-who could
"Roleau. there are affairs between
| these two Kingdoms which I did not at
! first suspect Times are ripe for a war
between the two. which Will extinguisn
Grahofren. Count sachio is at the head
OF that. He knows all the plans Of this
city's defenses. He knows some Of the
secrets OF old King Michael He knows
| -DeHeNe me. 1OF nedFQ MIN say IL
the value OF the old Gretzhoffen coin.
He knows that II has value only when
the two separate halves are united. Now
listen-he has half Of that coin--has IT
was the thief OF the kings half Of the
coin! Moreover. he knows where the
other half-is. He knows It is In the
possession Of Count Frederick. And lis
Count Frederick than he does for me.
no more that Frederick does for the
weak king. Even by now he may be on
his rendezvous. And even by now some
Of Count sachio. to get possession Of
Count Fredericks half Of the missing
coin. For he will call It his. although
but now he took II from us in violence
the same fragment I brought from
America with me-"
so then" said Roleau. drawing a
deep breath. there is yet more work
for us to do. Well. 1t never ceases this
cellenza. 1t seems to me that II our duty
, leads us thither. 1t were well for us Ia
reach the lodge Of Count Sachio as early
as possible. that we may spy out the
, ground
Precisely. that is my idea"
Come then. excellenza."
,, A few moments later the two, onc'
more provided with a speedy moto
9 nues of the capital.
II think 1t might be well to driv
past the two palaces" said Kitty Gray
D we might pick up some news there
t Frederick-perhaps he Is not out thi
O early"
But early though it was. Count Fred
' erick was astir-was indeed ready TO
r guest. Count sachio Even as Kitty
= car swept by the palace front they say
t the count and Sachio step into the.
own car. which waited for them at tn
| ,rh xxn.o ol,a no
e to notice the occupants Of the approach
o "Quick!" said Kitty sinking bacl
I deeper in the seat that she might no
Don't let them see me-" She motiofe
= also to Roleau to conceal himself a
: best he might. Their own car. swingtn
: around the corner. gave way for tn
r on down the street.
Once more. still undaunted. Kilt
I directed her own car to pass aroun
hs SGsk and stop II 4b, front Of done SeuI
o the nick OF time: for now. as the
} passed at lower speed. in order to hav
r time for such examination as they care
to make * OF the exter9r they SAY
n walking from the front down the drive
8 way for the side entrance OF the grea
r building.
know that man-that is the friend {
sachio! | saw the two OF them togethe
last night 1t was to him Sachlo Shove
the coin. heard him tell this ma
!, where the missing half was. Roleal
u that man has gone to get Count Free
erick's half Of the coin! Sachio di
: not dare to try 1t himself-he has ser
. this man as messengei.'
Certainly, excellenza." said the stol
= Roleau. "Count Sachio also means
:. put this and that together. does he not
= What can we do? Is your excellenc
u game to try one more entrance int
Count Frederick's house,"
n "Yes. said Kitty. 'Come-let us sc
n we can trace where that man
: going"
e Once more these two presente
Themselves at the door OF Cour
20 Frederick's abode; and once NOR
:, such being their supposed footing
" the household. they were admitte
without question. early as was tn
hour.
"Mademoiselle is late from the ball
q, said an impertinent chamberlain. wit
" smile which Kitty found detestabl
She rewarded him only with an IL
stare. LAS II pleases me-" said sh
y But I left my glove in the little roo
Is the other day-my friend will yo
e. come with me-" She turned to Rolea
as she spoke, Rebuked. the ofnci
IN stepped aside, and the two pass,