Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-01-14
CHAPTER XII.
King MichaeI to the Rescue.

King Mchae to the Rescue.
In Gret2hoffen capital matters had
gone Ill enough this day The popu.
lace was on edge with excitement
over the mysterious murder
The project OF police was furious
over the results Of the days work He
knew that for some time he had been
under the kings suspicion for laxness
in the administration of his Office and
felt that it was time to make some
example, to produce some proof OF his
own vigilance.
You. Anselm, you Du Brock, he
ordered two of his most trusted men
go out-llnd these people-we must
have them In our own hands Turn
night into day and day into night un.
I'll You have them once more The
girl is with them-be sure OF that
find her and you will find Roeau the
answer to all these riddles
These members OF his staff, thus ad
iured made their way out, none too
happy at the task assigned them for
they knew well enough that now they
were to cope with active brains and
active bodies. Learning that the es.
cape of the accused had been made by
the railway train, for time they hung
about the station In search OF further
news They spent some hours there
but departed Just too soon to welcome
the return Of one OF the fugitIyes they
sought-none less than Kitty Gray
herself!
Safe from immediate pursuit. Kitty
paused for little rest and little 1
food What should she do? For a
time she was undecided, but presently
her resolution was made
81 will try 1t, said she to herself
4 Will 20 10 the palace direct will /
see II can get access to the king!
And thither, forsooth, she did turn
her why
Rank by rank OF the guard she
passed by this way or that, wheedling
them, threatening them, bribing them,
until she found herself within the
doors OF the palace.
"Mademoiselle, again exclaimed
King Michael Welcome, them His
notified face did indeed express graft
ficaton at seeing her once more.
Kitty first made apology for her
disordered apparel. Il ask your ma.
jesty's pardon said she, for my
plight. am sure OF my welcome only
because of the news | brlng--I am
from the front-the war;
1.-THE front-the war mademoiselle,
what do YOU mean? What war? We
are not at war; But even as he spoke
the blood shrank back from his face.
There is war your majesty, II
may say it, rejoned the young girl.
"Yonder at the edge OF the neutral
lands, this side of GrahotFen, men are
lighting. Their army Is out-they have
besie5ed our people"
Our people?-Who are our PEG.
ple?"
Two only-one friend Of your
majesty another OF my own"
Meaning
None less than Count Frederick OF
Gretzhoffen is there besieged at lit,
tie pass in the mountains. With him
is Roleau, my servant, whom you do
not know. Horsemen were all about
them when left They were holding
the little pass as best they could"
But what caused all thls-why
were they besieged?"
Your majesty, it IS because they
want what belongs here in Gretzhofen
they covet the Gretzhofeu coin.
The coin? What coin? lmpossi-
bio! | have it myself-at least a
half OF it, mademoiselle.
'You-your majesty-how can that
be? For see, | myself have It'll fed
with it to get safety for 1t"
King Michael's wits were not quick
enough to meet this sudden demand
upon them.
1t travels, that coin-I would not
believe that you could have it. So now
they think he has 1t and have COW
eted 1t? Shall yonder ruflan Cortis.
law take from US that which is ours7
No, mademoiselle, you are right! You
are q faithful messenger to bring US
this news. Listen, myself will 90 to
the rescued" (,
Your majesty speaks as a king"
said Kitty Gray. !,
Pompously, the less rapid for his
avoirdupois, King Michael turned now :
to the halls.
Call out the guard" he command. t
ed. Sound the bugles now and bring
me my officers here. Quick, equip me, !,
you men-we must ride-the troops
must form" Il
The word passed quickly. Within 4
the half hour iron hoofs rang on the
pavements of Gretzhoffen avenue as
the guard, their sovereign at their
head, rode out at speed.
Left in the care of one OF the house
hold women, Kitty was shown to
room Of her own, where she might