Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-10-22
EIGHTEENTH INsTALLMENT
CHAPTER LxIv.
saehIo and MIehaeI.

Inc TWO rival CapltalS OF tncse
mooted lands stili faced one ano,heT
in conflict as yet undecided Which
were deeper in duplicity it had been
diflcult to say. but as TO which sur
passed I'm active measures no doubt
at all remained. Count Sachio, rest
less and energetic. already was taking
further steps to enforce his own will
and that OF his sovereign upon the
weaker mind which purported TO gov
ern at Gretzhoffen.
II was as Sachio had prophesied--
the sloth OF Michael left him open to
any proposition which came couched
in fair words and which offered nc
disturbing changes m his own per
sonal plans. He acceded readily
enough TO the proposals OF the Gra
hoffen courtier to lengthen the armis
tice between the two warning coun-
tries with a view TO a formal and fina'
peace. Readily enough also he admit
ted into his own household the arch
plotter of the forces of his hereditary
enemy.
Unopposed, indeed invited. Sachio
made his way much as he liked
throughout the Gretzhoffen palace
with whose interior he already was
more or less familiar. It was HIS plan
IN case of any challenge 10 refer &C
the royal ruler who was his host.
He paid special attention TO that
apartment where he had found the
partially destroyed original script
whose missing half he sought. Here
minutely. patiently. like a hound run
ming a difficult trail. he went over the
place inch by inch. seeking to find
some trace which would lead him tt
his quarry.
But success did not attend his ef
forts, though these he prosecuted ever
in those portions OF the palace whore
so recently he and his troops had
faced death when TIE levels were flood
ed by waters turned in from the castle
moats. He was willing 10 despair. ane
in fact had turned away with the in
tention OF giving up the search. when
he met n suboficer OF the guard who
proved difficult to handle in his usua'
easy fashion.
Halt Who goes there?" chal'
lenged this guard as he saw Sachic
emerge from one OF the lower cham
bers.
"A .riendl" rejoined sachio prompt
ly, in military formula.
Advance, friend, and give the coun
tersign," came the gruff command.
THE countersign?" said Sachio
"Ah. well. my friend. now that think
OF IT, / have not had II given 10 me
Twas my own neglect But / am a
friend OF the king-'twas he who gave
me permission TO explore these por-
tions of the palace. l was curious 70
see the operations OF this system OF
defense by water-it was something
new 10 me-"
= THAT is all very WELL" reioined the
soldier. but explanations of that sort
are scarcely good enough"
Take NE, then. to the king him
SELF" said Sachio.
why should ~" rejoined the other.
What business is ii OF yours to know
about the lower levels OF our palace?
These are tickllsh times, and there
have beea such things as spies
"Spies!" exclaimed Sachio. virtuous-
.ly. Il, spy-is that what you mean,
fellow? II so, command you to car
~ me forthwith to the presence OF the
king himself He knows me well, and
you should have a care not to offend
one who is under the kings protec
tion"
The sheer audacity OF this INTRUDER
had it's effect, even upon the blunt sol
dier who had accosted hin. SachiS
was indeed taken TO the presence o.
Michael, and there his bold prediction
proved true-Michael reprimandet
publicly the officer who had done hii
duty, and showed his public favor Il
the man who was indeed a spy, al
though not suspected of being one.
What. fellow" exclaimed the kinl
TO the soldier. when Sachio had made
his xplanations-"what do you NEAR
by offering indignity to our friend and
future ally in this fashion? Ava,
with you. and do you report at th'
guardhouse under arrest. Your tria
shall come later"
MY dear .Sachio," resumed Michael
you see how prompt we are with ou
prOtectlOu ot Oui ificuuss Do hoe enn
II iii OF us that one OF our underling
has done what his superior officer
or his sovereign would never think o
countenancing. We trust you will &C
cept this disclaimer"
1T was nothing. your majesty" re
piled the willy statesman, "and ! as
sure your majesty the incident shal
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