The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-02-04

hour.
He pushed open the door-pushed it
until 1t met some obstruction-some-
thing which lay vaguely white upon
the floor. He turned downward the
Hare of his light-started back from
what he saw.
She lay at his feet, unconscious.
helpless-deaL for all he could tell
He bent over her, doubt, terror in his
eyes, and reached out his hand.
She stirred under his touch. Her
eyes opened, looked into his. What
she saw bending over her was the face
of her enemy.
Who is it?" she cried Loose me
leave me! Where am T.
She caught her hands to her face
now as there came to her once more
the terror of what she had seen. She
dared not look about her. Take me
away" she moaned. Take me
away"
lie made no answer for a time.
why have you followed me here?"
she demanded at last.
He spoke now, slowly. almost sol.
EMMY.
'Why?" said he. 81 do not know
why. think It must have been be.
cause you were in trouble. Perhaps
you called me-perhaps that is why
came"
What do you mean? Would you
taunt me now, at such a time? I
have been frightened almost to the
point of death-it was terrible"
Come" said Count Frederick, and
placed about her an arm on whose
strength. in spite of herself, she was
glad to lean.
He was guiding her toward the door
She turned and saw again that which
but now had smitten her with terror.
Her nerves, weakened by the long
strain upon them. gave way once
more.
The fare of the candle lighted up
the cavernous interior at whose en-
trance they stood. Count Frederick
saw what she had seen
On the walls stood out hooks, steel
arms which supported eyeless. grin
ming skulls-old-h old no one
could tell. Beyond arose rods and
gratings, barbed, pointed, curved An
iron chair was in corner, and in 1t
sat grinning skeleton.
| II tho tnrtura oh a har hp
room of terrors, born of other years
more savage than these, and brought
down unchanged through all the cen
turtles.
Come" said Count Frederick. his
own voice agitated. 1T is no time
to think of any treasure now, but you
YOURSELF"
He caught her away swiftly into the
other passage, and the door shut
behind them. In silence he led her
along the subterl - .ean passage and
up the stairs.
He left her once more alone in heI
own room, to compose herself as best
she might, while he went on to rejoir
the kim.
so, then, you found her. faithful
messenger" demanded Michael.
Yes, your majesty, at length. She
was but strolling about to pass the
time during your absence. While
know little of such matters, 1t seems
to me that the trials of the day have
been extreme for her"
King Michael ended by asking the
attendance OF the young woman her
self; but il was just at this iuncture
that there arrived at the palace none
less than the project of police, who
made suppliance through several court
official for admittance to audience
with royalty.
He says ventured the last cham
berlain. that he comes regarding the
murder at the Ritz hotel in which
your majesty was graciously pleased
to be interested"
Yes, yes-my dear Count fred
erick, II was absurd that you should
be mixed in that-Or the young Amer.
ican-l have not had time to think OF
it since then What is all this now?
Bring the man in
And so presently the prefect.
abashed and much perturbed. was ad.
mitted.
Well. WE'LL demanded the mon.
arch. what is it-why do you come
here?"
For only one reason. your mai
esty began the project humoiy.,
I'VE are convinced that there is more
than chance medley in this murder
The thing goes deeper than we
thought at first
Have you no suspect
One your majesty, person of no
importance. by name ROleau
How now, count Michael turned
to the nObIeman who still stood near.
Nv hat think YOU OF this natter" =
Count Frederick considered for
moment before lie replied.
Set MIN free, sad ne at length.
Watch MIN. He will lead lis to some.
thing perhaps. BE sure that once ne
ie loOSp lie will not he al rpst tIr