Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-07-13

Search them all. men," came the
quick order Of the rat-faced apache.
who was now In charge Of this situa'
don. I'VE must hurry. Be careful
now"
The men who had covered the pris-
oners with their weapons 10 sent
forward some Of their number to car
~ out these orders. As they advanced
Roleau sprans toward them. but was
held back by the hand Of the captain
Of gendarmes. +,
"Quiet!" said the latter. Would
you have some of us killed: This
mar wants only = bit Of coin. In the
name Of heaven. to give that is cheap
er than to get killed."
Roleau fell back. and tho work OF
the searchers went On. But It was
not money that the apaches sought.
They took little count Of the contents
Of the pockets which they ransacked.
They turned at last to Kitty, and the
swift flush on her face kiudled their
eyes with . suspicion Of some guilty
knowledge on her part. She had not
had time since palming the piece OF
coin at the time Of the original search
to conceal It elsewhere than In her
handbag. It was q foregone conclu-
sion that It would be found there. The
thieves gave exultant EXPLANATIONS
when at length they saw the fruit OF
their efforts-the piece Of broken
coin. Tho man who searched Kitty's
bag held It up. grinning.
Before any had time to form . plan
there came q sudden cry from n or
more of the apaches. An instant later
and all Of them we're gone-passing
out the open window to the fire es.
cape which led to the street below.
by the Lord!" exclaimed Sachio.
the FIRST to speak. THAT was sudden
work" He turned to Count Fred
erick. a certain anxiety in his own
gaze, for he might well fancy that
the latter held him in NO too safe q
position of friendship. since his own
late ransacking of the counts palace
here in Gretzhofen town.
Who were they. think you?" in.
quired Sach.o.
"Who!" replied Count Frederick.
"They are thieves Of u beloved city
Of Gretxhoffen-a part Of organized So
ciety rs 1t exists here, my friend. and
well organized. as is easy to DO SEEN
Blake, yonder, is their leader. His
homo 10 in the edge Of this city. and
his hand 10 ready enough, me thinks
for any crime. Fifty. q hundred men
or more are under his orders. Appar'
emily he has laid his plans we'll
thought as much when I last saw him
and his rats"
And when was that. Monsieur lie
Comte?"
AT no long time ago l paid him q
VISIT" said Count Frederick. shrug'
ging. Il learned enough to be ready
to suspect that man yonder or any Of
his tribe. They have broken and en-
tered these apartments. Within our
view they have committed robbery
from the person Of this young woman
here. They have obviously taken what
they sought-whatever that may be
trust it was Of no consequence. ma
demoiselle?"
Kitty took her cue from the calm
speech Of the count, her late rival
| but now rather her friend than thtl
| other nobleman of G%rahofen.
She only in turn shrugged her OWL
shoulders and turned a somewhat re
proachful gaze upon the officers Of
the law. who stood about, helpless ant
chagrined.
Count Frederick smiled. This
said he, lis somewhat Of q jest. i
seems to me that u friends thu
gendarmes submitted somewhat cas-
lily. At least they have gone-the.
have taken what they liked, and the!
have carried off their dead from tn
field-if there have been dead here
Have you any notion beyond this. m!
dear Sachio?"
But Count Sachio, thus smilingly ad
jured, could add nothing to the fun
of information. He himself was LEI
alone. II his own man had been tn
victim, 80 much the worse for tn
man himself. But these reflection
caused him no satisfaction.
I'VE must be out Of this now" b
exclaimed angrily, and strobe towar
the door. He flung it open. almost 1
the face of the project, who was hui
rying back to his demoralized asst
ciates in the administration OF tn
law.
The face Of the project himself wa
red with chagrin as he now strobe
at the open door.
Gentlemen" said he, facing Cour
Frederick, II have indeed received
message from the king. 1t is entirel
In your favor"
His majesty says, Of COURSE b.
gan Count Sachio.
The project frowned, and turne
again to Count Frederick. His mi
1esty says Count Frederick and th
young woman are to be set free 9
once. They are to 60 where they ik'
in full possession Of their liberty.
"As for this nobleman"-and b
turned to Count Sachio at last. Il al
instructed to set him free also. an
to ask him not to add further compl
eating circumstances by too long
tarrying on this scene"