The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-04-14

pressed toward tbe Interior OF the
ualace once more rs he had boosted,
ne knew this place AZ well as his Own
hedchamber. He rushed on through
the vide hall, down the stairs to the
floor below, and back "a the point
whence led down the galleries OF the
caverns floor unuer the castle itself.
lie smiled now grimly as he has
tened. As yet he was unhurt. and as
yet he was unsupported. Once more
his ~sangulne soul iusted for success
and counted on Il.
He met no opposition, heard no
where In these portions OF the palace
any football or any voice. Thus for
a moment OF two he strobe on--und
then paused, frozen In his stride by
that which confronted him.
Sachio was sure that he had seer
the last OF the young Nperlcan. lie
reasoned that In all livelihood Count
Frederick-of whose absence he knew
quite well through his own secret
agents-had Joined her somewhere
lie knew OF the wreck OF the Prinz
Adler. Sachio was clear in his W
mind that these two enemies OF his
were gone, never again to confront
him.
And yet now, as though spirits sum
moned by his own thoughts. they
stood before him-both OF them-the
tall nobleman and the slender. shrink.
ing girl leaning on his arm. Yes, Il
was they! His enemies hat arisen
from the very grave to confront him
He paused i%rresolute, unnerved, not
believing what he saw, and for the
time himself made no speech.
What do you here. Sachio?" broke
in the deep voice Of his enemy, once
his friend-a friend once too often
betrayed.
81 came by virtue OF my sword, "
said Sachio. boldly now, seeing that
he might not evade this issue.
by virtue Of your sword only shall
YOU escape from here, Sachio,' said
Count Frederick, calmly. Stand back
Of me. mademoiselle. and give me
reach"
In a fash the swords Of the two
went out and Joined in the encounter.
Each was an excellent swordsman. and
for a moment neither had advantage
The young girl screamed in terror q
the sight, for, she knew the redolht
able reputation OF Sachio as a sword,
man, and long ere this she had 81.
lected the one whom she desired to
see victor in this or any encounter.
But Count Frederick did o glance
her way. His eye was still fixed on
that of his opponent. Only, softly,
gently, he repeated to her, "StanG
back. mademoiselle. Give us room
Sachio was full OF tricks. He had
no wish to waste time here, and yet
knew not how to pass the blade now
opposing him. Suddenly he flung ur
his nand to his chest as though struck.
hoping TO find his foe OF his guard
for just an instant. 1t did not result
so. The steady point Of Count Fred
, erick lay cleaning before mis- breast
, ready to thrust. And for another rea
son was this subterfuge worse than q
useless one for Sachio. As he caught
his hand against his bosom there
came from its concoalmCnt In his
pocket something metallic, which fel
upon the floor. II rolled but briefly
for II was not round-this piece o
metal. It was a half coin,
Upon this Kitty fell with a sudder
, cry. She knew in a flash what wal
, this bit OF metal. She knew how
, Sachio must have priced it, and nov
, how Sachio. in the luck of the game
had lost, and lost by his W hand.
Agile as a cat, the girl stopped, raj
in, and emerged with the bit OF meta
, in her hand. And still the eyes o
/, the two fighting men dared not turn
her way. Sachio laughed, and tosse,
, over his shoulder a haunting word.
, 1T is worthless, mademoiselle, sal
y. he-"counterfeit-'tis nothing,
. Count Frederick said nothing, bu
: he heard her words coming to hin
now from behind his shoulder.
IL have got them" she exclaimed
Z both halves OF the coin-they ar
/ ours-they are ours-I am going no,
) come qUick-Rs soon as you can
. But the cold eye OF Count Frederic
. never turned from the face Of his az
=, versary. He made no answer to thes
= words, although he heard the SCUM
!, OF her footballs back OF him as h lie
% down the hall toward the interior
y the caverns.
:, well. Sachio." said Count Fret
! erick. your trickery failed. Your a
a tack has failed at every point. Fat
- fights against you, Sachio. You hay
lost the toss of the die, You have loi
the coin"
~ The strong wrist OF the swarth
nobleman covered his breast with h
- extended steel. His eyes, bold eve
~ in this extremity, met that of his o
a. ponent. But Sachio knew the die 4
"a deed was cast. He knew now that
= had failed.
For one moment he edged on inc
d. by inch, endeavoring to reach a pol
from which he might spring pa
90 Frederick. and so follow the feeiT
OF girl down the ~passagewRy. But alwa!