The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-08-06
SECOND INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER vi.

COUNT FFeOcrlCk.
Kitty Gray turned suddenly to thu
man seated beside her in the motor
bending upon him steady gaze.
"Who are your" asked she. "Why
did you follow me?"
The swathed figure suddenly
Strengthened. Whatever l am-what
ever you may think me, do not believe
me incapable of gratitude to yourself. y
what is your manner"
"They call me Roleau, made.
moiselle"
Kitty Gray turned yet more closely
to him, gazed straight into his eyes.
Then why not enlist with me?
have a common enemy. Would 1t be
wrong did you and league against
him."
"You ask me, then"
ITO be my friend, my ally"
Surely I owe him no allegiance
further!" exclaimed Roleau bitterly.
"He struck me like dog"
"Yet you and must see him again
and Soon"
What! Would you trust yourself
once more in his presence? You are
an American girl-you are innocent,
you are ignorant. l warn you"
None the less, If am to go forward
with the business which brought me
here to Gretzhoffen, surely / must
once more meet the Count Frederick.
The man at her side hesitated no
more than an instant. Every WELL"
said he calmly. "As for me, my life
has been forfeit many time before
now. What matter? I will go with
you as you say. Indeed, I fancy /
know me at the palace-they will adj
NIT us BOTH"
1t was as Roleau had said. When
finally the two drew up to the court
driveway in front Of the counts pal
ace, they were admitted without ques-
ton. Roleau closed the door behind
him and put finger to his lips for
silence.
"They will listen" he whispered
"Be careful. This is the room where
Count Frederick receives his
friends"
Curiously, silently, Kitty sat or at
times walked about the room, taking
stock of the surroundings. Count |
Frederick entered.
'Mademoisellei I am charmed! So |
you remember me?" 4
''You may say as much indeed" re- /
Joined Kitty Gray calmly. Il saw you |
in the carriage this morning."
He turned now to Roleau, with no |
change in his countenance to indicate |
any recollection of the nature of their
last meeting. you may retire to the |
next ROOM" said he, Diminishing him
with wave of the hand.
do not IN the least misunderstood
me, Monsieur lie Comte," said she
lightly. "My business is very simple
have a proposition to make to you
business proposition"
''But I am not a business man."
Knocked the smiling antagonist who
faced her. He came yet half step
closer.
Are you SO sure?" exclaimed she
suddenly. SIS there no business In
which also ] am definitely concerned?
Then why did you send messenger
to follow me In my own country, to
ransack my apartments there, to vio-
late my privacy even on the steamers?
MY man served me but ill-if
may admit part of what you say
mademoiselle."
"That is why am here-and in his
company! Yes, l know your messen-
ger as know you. Come, let us rea-
son together over this, Monsieur lie
Comte. Shall 1t be business or war |
between us?"
The sheer audacity of this speech
'or one moment daunted Count Fred
Brick. The next he broke into roar t
If laughter and flung himself into
chair. "Admirable!" said he.
She started away from him, moving I
oward the door. II came, Monsieur c
3 Comte," said she boldly, ito ask t
you what price for the half coin which G
you seek to hold. Suppose, for in c
'tance, that Gretzhoffen loan were
Executed for you finally in New York n
would that influence you at all? b
,ome now, let US reason y
II am beyond reason; care little
or the sordid side. l value not 60 b
much money as what money brings u
{ could bring me no more than what S
ortune has brought me at no cost, o
his morning-this very hour" 8,
"Roleau!" cried Kitty suddenly. "A s,
noi! Au secours! Vite!" n
you waste BREATH" laughed Count o.
frederick HE cannot come" c,
Kitty made one swift dart toward IL
be door. She was too late. The W
elentless face Of her opponent smiled ia