The Elbert County tribune., 1916-02-04

| ne knew, there rested the secret OF
Gretzhoffen. But since he was un-
guided, how could he know when at
length he was close to the door which
barred him from that secret?
| He did find closed door, in part
| Of the subterranean chambers not yet
| flooded by the waters of the moat.
| He could not find entrance-the door
was locked-he had no time to seek
for any key. Looking about him hast
| lily, he saw only upon the floor a scrap
of paper, an old, stained, charred, dis
membered piece of parchment. left
there by whose hand he could not
guess. Curiously regarding it, he
picked 1t up to examine it more closely.
1t bore some ancient inscription which
he could but Ill decipher-an inscrip-
ton in Latin. Count Sachio cudgeled
his wits to bring to his aid such store
of knowledge of dead languages as
once was his in his college days. Hur-
ried as he was, and disjointed as the
inscription was. he could make but
little of 1t.
by the rood" exclaimed he, here
is something strange enough-a parch.
ment from God knows where, by God
knows whom. 1t says something
about a king or an heir to kingdom
it says something about an abduc-
ton. Why, here we come upon pret-
ty story. I'll warrant half my chance
OF reward in this war this paper has
something to do with the secret of
Gretzhoffen. At least / will take 1t
with me-"
He thrust 1t into his pocket and hur.
ried on into the open to join his fee
ing comrades. Even as those left be.
hind in the palace began to take coun.
sci of restoring some order after the
ruin which had been wrought, Count
Sachio, in possession of one more I'M
finished. secret, was outside the walls.
AS he passed from the front of the
palace, he came directly in the line
of vision of Kitty, who was watching
the retreat of the Grahoffen forces
Something in Sachio's haste, his air
of uncertainty witha,, attracted her at
tention.
I'm sure said she to herself,
there is some mischief in his mind.
AS a rule it has been safe to follow
that she did.
Sachio hastened out through the pal
ace grounds, bound for some path
which without question was familiar
to him, and which now he fancied
would offer him quick egress from a
situation SO lacking in attractions.
In Sachio's mind was but one
thought. He was cogitating even as
he fled upon the contents of the pa
per in his pocket. Half he drew it
out as he fastened. "A king" said
abducted; who was he? What
was his age-what king? 'Tis indeed
cunning plot to vex my soul yet
further
In Kitty's mind, as she followed him
with her eyes, and presently followed
him in person, there was no inkling
of this problem which was troubling
good Count Sachio. What concerned
her was some indefinite feeling that
she must keep him in sight. Once
more her instinct proved of service.
Count Sachio passed among the
shrubbery of the place, eager to find
such shelter as he might-concealment
which would offer him safety and an
opportunity to examine yet more thor.
oughly this curious bit Of paper which
ne had safe in his pocket. He thrust
this way and that. A button OF his
coat entangled in the branch of a
shrub. He detached it hastily and
passed on. AS he did so, he did not
notice that his cherished bit of paper
left his pocket and fell upon the
ground. Trust eyes as keen as Kitty's
to note this incident of his flight. An
instant later she had pounced upon it
and was herself hurrying fer conceal
ment. Once more her wits were at
swords point with those of the dough
tiest of her foes.
Kitty herself, glancing hastily at that
paper, could make no more Of it than
had Sachio. What can 1t mean?"
thought she. But whatever it meant,
of one thing she was sure-Count
Sachio would return for it.
She had not long to wait to find this
suspicion confirmed. Soon she heard
hin hurrying back-saw him bending
over the place where he last had been
sure Of tho possession of the paper
saw him look about here and there
hastily, hurriedly, eagerly. Now in
deed she was confirmed il her own
suspicious.
Aha, Count Sachio," said she to her
self. once more 1 have something
which you covet."
She had occasion to find once more
that the possession of something Count
Sachio coveted carried with it GER
tain danger to the possessor.
Looking this way and that for some
place of safety, Kitty saw thickly-
branching tree which to her notion
might offer a shelter. Without hesi.
t.ltiOu aha cli;1bed ur hand over hand