The Raymer enterprise., 1916-04-27

he knew. there rested the secret Of
Gretzhoffen. But since he was un
guided. how could he know when al
length he was close to the door which
barred him from that secret?
| He did find a closed door, In a par,
OF the subterranean chambers not yeI
flooded BY the waters Of the moat
He could not find entrance-the dool
was locked-he had no time to seek
for any key. Looking about him hast
lily. he saw only upon the floor q scrar
Of paper. an old. stained, charred, dis
membered piece Of parchment, left
there by whose hand he could no,
guess. Curiously regarding 1t, he
picked 1t up to examine 1t more closely
1t bore some ancient inscription which
he could but Ill decipher-an inscrip.
ton In Latin. Count Sachio cudgeIed
his wits to bring to his aid such store
of knowledge OF dead languages as
once was his in his college days. Hur.
ried as he was. and disjointed as the
inscription was. he could make but
little OF 1t.
by the rood" exclaimed he, here
Is something strange enough-a parch.
ment from God knows where, by God
knows whom. 1t says something
about king or an heir to a kingdom
1t says something about an abduc-
ton. Why. here we come upon a pret.
ty story. I'll warrant half my chance
OF reward in this war this paper has
something to do with the secret Of
Gretzhoffen. At least / will take 1t
with me-"
He thrust 1t into his pocket and hur.
ried on into the open to Join his fee.
ing comrades. Even as those left be-
hind in the palace began to take coun.
sci OF restoring some order after the
ruin which had been wrought, Count
Sachio. in possession of one more un.
finished secret, was outside the walls.
As he passed from the front OF the
palace. he came directly in the line
OF vision of Kitty. who was watching
the retreat of the Grahoffen forces.
Something In Sachio's haste, his air
OF uncertainty witha:, attracted her at.
tcntion.
I'm sure" said she to herself,
there is some mischief in his mind.
As rule 1t has been safe to follow
yonder rascal will do so now" And
that she did.
Sachio hastened out through the pal.
ace grounds. bound for some path
which without question was familiar
to him, and which now he fancied
would offer him quick egress from a
situation so lacking in attractions.
In Sachio's mind was but one
thought. He was cogitating even as
he fled upon the contents of the pa.
per in his pocket. Half he drew It
out as he fastened. "A king" said
he-"abducted; who was he? What
was his age-what king? 'Tis indeed
a cunning plot to vex my soul yet
further"
In Kitty's mind. as she followed him
with her eyes. and presently followed
him in person. there was no inkling
OF this problem which was troubling
good Count Sachio. What concerned
her was some indefinite feeling that
she must keep him In sight. Once
more her instinct proved of service.
Count Sachio passed among the
shrubbery OF the place, eager to find
such shelter as he might-concealm
which would offer him safety and an
opportunity to examine yet more thor.
oughly this curious bit Of paper which
he had safe In his pocket. He thrust
this way and that. A button CT his
coat entangled in the branch OF
shrub. He detached 1t hastily and
passed on. AS he did SO, he did not
notice that his cherished bit Of paper
left his pocket and fell upon the
ground. Trust eyes as keen as Kitty's
to note this incident OF his flight. An
instant later shs had pounced upon It
and was herself hurrying fer conceal.
ment. Once more her wits were at
swords psint with these OF the dough.
tiest of her foes.
Kitty herself, glancing hastily at that
paper, could mako no more CT 1t than
had Sachio. What can 1t mean?"
thought she. But whatever 1t meant,
Of ole thing she was sure-Count
Sachio would return fsr 1t.
She had rot long t. wait to find this
suspicion confirmed. Soon she heard
him hurrying back-saw him bending
over the place where he last ha! been
sure CT tho possession of tie paper
saw him look about here and there
hastily. turriedly. eagerly. Now in.
deed she was confirmed In her own
suspicious.
AHA, Count Sachio," said she to her.
self. "onee more l have something
which you covet."
She had occasion to find once raore
that the possession Of something Count
Sachio coveted carried with 1t Ger.
tain danger to the possessor.
Looking this way and that for some
place Of safety. Kitty saw a thickly.