The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-03-24
CHAPTER LxXvu.
The RECKONING.

The Reckoning.
Now" said Count Frederick to Kit
ty when at length they had reached
the upper portion Of the palace, we
must advance to what remains yet
to be done. The ministers must be
summoned. The writs must issue for
the attendance of the parliament. 'Tis
long since one has been convened
Michael the king-he alone has been
our government-and what q govern
ment!"
They we're now passing toward the
central portion Of the palace, having
ascended from the vaults below. Alb.
sorbed-intent-Count Frederick. at
least. was inattentive to aught else
save the presence Of the woman at
his side. But now she plucked his
sleeve.
Listen" said she, and laid a finger
ON her lips.
At her signal, Count Frederick soft
ened his footsteps and walked with
her stealthily. The sound of the
voices engaged in whispered CONVEX
sation came now to his ears. Sud.
denly he stepped forward, convinced,
flung open a door of the main hall,
and passed within unannounced. 1t
was no time for formalities in Gretz-
hoffen palace now.
So said he, you are here again.
What, Sachio, you honor us yet by an
other visit? That is most kind of
you! You, Grahame, you. my former
bodyguard-here with this arch trail
tor, this liar. this treacherous snake!"
They stood, surprised as yet with
out plan for their defense.
"Ho, there!-the guard-the guard
cried Count Frederick, stepping back
to the door.
But to his call there came no
footsteps OF the guard. Instead.
one man came-Roleau, who for the
past few moments had been in search
of the two men. He fastened past
Kitty as she stood, thrust himself into
the room, and with Count Frederick,
faced the trapped men who stood be.
fore them.
Count Sachio, with Z snarl OF rage
sprang forward at his foe. and Roleau,
with a quick motion flung himself be.
tween. He felt. the iron hand Of his
master on his shoulder.
Leave him to me, Roleau! Take
care of the other man."
The two noblemen faced an
other calmly now. Not SO with Ro.
leau. On the instant, he flung him.
self upon the man accosted as Ora.
hame. The struggle was unequal and
under Roleau's powerful grasp the
intruder soon was helpless.
Well" said Count Frederick; "Sa-
chic, how shall it be? Shall I choke
you with my hands,"
The man whom he accosted was
one not easily dismayed. He greeted
these words with . smile which
showed his white teeth. His own
fighting blood was up. and fear was
a thing he did not know.
Suddenly his eye, rapidly glancing
about the room, caught sight of a
trophy of arms hung r the room.
From it he caught down two swords.
Bowling, he handed both, hilt forward,
to Count Frederick. AT your service.
monsieur" he said.
"On guard" said Count Fred
erick.
Lightly, gracefully, gently, the tips
Of the two blades met, shivered a
trifle, each feeling of the other. scarce
than . hairs breadth from its
The icy eye Of Count Frederick.
cold, merciless, looked into the dark
and smiling face Of Sachio.
Il am going to kill you now" said
Count Frederick. "Shall it be soon?'
The answer of Sachio was more
than . smile. Ffercely he whipped
free his blade. His knuckles up. his
blade shot forward In = long and dead
" lunge.
Suddenly the jaw OF Count Fred
erick shut the tighter. None could
have said that he had . what en-
sued. In some fashion, the blade Of
the nobleman Of Gretxhofen went out,
vibrating. catching in its grip the
blade opposed to It. There was .
wrench. . twist. The weapon OF
Count Sachio was torn from his hands.
he stood unarmed. He stood one half
moment before he felt, Kissing hot
through al his body. the point Of his
antagonist.
Count Ffe6erfck turned, not wait
Ing to see HIS to sink down. for hs
knew the work was done. He ad-
vanced half . pace to the man Ora
hame. covering IN tho corner before
nolean. Rlm - smote across the
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