The Spectator., 1916-02-15
CHAPTER lxX.
4 Broken Voyage.

Alone in his palace, Count Frederick paced up and down, engrossed in futile plans. After many hours, an attendant announced the arrival of one of the emissaries he had sent to follow Count Sachio.
 "Excellency," began his servant agi- tatedly-"quick, or we shall be too late"
 What now-why too late-what has happened? Tell me, men!" Count Frederick was none too gentle in his moods of anger.
 They have taken her prisoner they plot to ship her away today toinght-now, for all I know!"
 What are you saying, man? But you found her, them"
 Found where she is. or was. As you suspected, she was taken pris- oner by Count Sachio and carried to Grahoffen. I followed him. He went to the docks and bargained there with some fellows of an ocean steamer due to sail within an hour or so. l heard them agree to take over a prisoner, a woman-another prisoner, a man. Count Sachio said he would deliver them just before the vessel sailed, They were to be hid in the hold and discovered later as stowaways too late for return"
 Quick. men," He turned now to his assistants. Hasten to the ship ping offices on our own dock. Have them make ready boat to carry my message to the captain of the royal yacht. Tell him to make ready to sail at once on my arrival-and to expect a race with an ocean liner"
 A few moments later he was at the dock and. hurrying into the small boat which lay awaiting. was carried swiftly to the side of the royal yacht, on whose decks already there was evi- dence of the orderly confusion of a boat about to get under way. Evi- dently his message to the captain of the yacht had been received.
 Come on board, sir" said Count Frederick. as the captain met him at the ladder. You understand?'
 Your servant. Count Frederick said the commander. Il know you we'll Command us
 Under way at once then, captain. said Count Frederick. Lay course to the foot of the bay. The vessel we must search has perhaps even now sailed from Grahoffen port. It is our duty in the name of the king to in tercept her. They have on board pris- oners of our own people-there has been treachery done by Sachio, leader of Grahoffen."
 An instant, and the jangle of the en- gine-room bells made sweet music to Count Frederick's ears. At least now there would be action. at least hns- pense would be at on end.
 The speedy yacht ripped through the water as though conscious itselr of it's imperative duty. Ere long they had passed the lower headlands of the Gretzhoffen harbor. Eagerly Fred erick scanned the levels of the sea as they opened before him. At last an exclamation escaped his lips. long and heavy cloud of smoke lay on the horizon. the trail of great ship mak- ing for open sea.
 Captain, there she goes. A thou sand napoleons if you lay us along side-dishonor if you fail to do so." And the captain nodded.
 Meantime what was the secret that the distant liner was carrying with her? None save those aboard could tell that, and of these but two or three rude deck men. The bought agents of Sachio had done their work well. None on the ship save those interested had noticed when two bun dies, trussed up and concealed in heavy coverings. had been hoisted aboard by the ships donkey engine and dropped into the hold. Yet in this way two human beings were loaded as cattle, without tho knowledge of the ships officers.
 When Kitty Gray recovered her senses she found herself in a dark and noisome hole, she knew not where. Terror smote her. Her pulses refused to work, her mind rebelled.
 Above she heard tramplings, shout ings, the creaking of tackle. the sound of machinery mutlled by intervening walls of the ships structure. At last she thought she heard the swash of water alongside. What did this mean was this tho sea? Was she pris- oner to be handled in some new and mystifying way? What did 1t all mean?