The Spectator., 1916-02-08
FIFTEENTH lNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER W.


 fully ant steadily from the peril .us dip which it had made almost to .he surface of the sea. Under the steady hand of the pilot it swung up and around and headed back toward the shore.
 Below them now lay the towers of Gretzhoffen. The roar of the motor made conversation impossible, but the three occupants of the car looked at one another happily. Roleau, wet and weary, but smiling, had curled himself down as best he could, and ac- cepted this last phase of his adventure with his usual philosophy.
 To the relief of all three, at length they saw the green shores of Gretz- hoffen waterfront rising up to meet them. The aeroplane, skillfully han. dled, spiraled gracefully down. Safe at length, they stepped from the car. Frederick and Kitty faced each other
 Are we then at the end of our perils?" asked Kitty. Dare we be. lieve it? I ana weary with it all scarce know whether am not in some harassing dream. Are we then safe again?"
 Let us hope it, mademoiselle." said Count Frederick.
 But stay,' said he. How can we know what may have transpired at the palace in our absence? Only one thing is to be depended upon, and that is that Sachio will not relent He will have some plot on foot-he will not admit his defeat"
 Let us go then" said Count Fred erick, lard see. After what we have endured w4y trouble overmuch re- garding what fate may have in addi- tion? It all seems to me to have been in the hand of fate itself. Even I am of the mind that our little fears do not in the least alter the plans of the gods regarding us"
 That is the fatalism of a brave man." said Kitty, smiling.
 What! Then you call me at least brave, mademoiselle? Would that I might find some other merit in your seyes-and would I might blot out my own sense of Unworthiness in the con. duct I have shown towards you. Mademoiselle-"
 This is no time for such matters, monsieur. Let US hasten" She spoke composedly, and even then was turning toward the palace.
 Roleau, apart at a respectful dis. tance, for the time made no attempt to intrude. Count Frederick and Kitty hurried off toward the plaza in front of the palace, whose grounds so re- gently had been the scene of the des- perate encounter between the two ar mics. A certain peace had reigned there but now, yet it had been but the peace of exhaustion. The army of oGrahoffen had withdrawn, that was true, but led by dauntless minds it's retreat had been checked. With them defeat was but relative term, tenn yporary condition. Even now they had summoned up their courage, and those but recently yanquished had set on foot a counter-attack against the capi- tai of their recently victorious foe.
 As they advanced they found the plaza once more filled with armed men, the forces of Grahoffen again upon the aggressive. By stealth now, rapidly and without the sound of martial mu- sic, they had stolen into the unguarded portion of the city. The courage of despair perhaps animated them in this undertaking. Yet now confidence and not despair seemed to rule among them as they gathered in front of the palace which still so grimly held it's ancient secrets.
 Come quick" exclaimed Freder- ick as this scene broke upon their gaze. We are alone-our forces are sscattered-they are upon us again in thousands. We must take refuge in she palace-only in it's hidden recesses oaa we find any help now.'
 Carefully as might be, and as quick. ly, they gained access once more to the beleaguered palace of Gretzhoffen. In tho anteroom they met none less than Michael, the puppet king himself. He was the image of terror now, and willing to babbie to any of his woes.
 What shall we do? Where shall we go?' he exclaimed almost in de- spair. "They are at us again--they have no mercy on us-they do not stay defeated, my dear count Ton. der Sachio does not relent-he will have our hearts blood. It is terrible. Where shall we fly from him?"
 Much of these broken utteTances had truth in .hem. The Grahoffen troops were indeed in possession of the cen .tral aefenses of the town. By virtue of the magic of persistence and speed of acticn Count Sachio himself once more lad won to the head of his strOapr. sFrom some place unknown