The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-03-25

sion possible. Certainly his mistress
had not come out by the front hall,
therefore she must have passed out
by yonder window, which had offered
exit to the intruders. The next mo-
ment Roleau himself was through the
same window and hurrying down the
fire escape which he saw now gave ac-
cess to the street. By the time the
captain of the guard and his hurrying
men were close ON his track at the
hotel desk, Roleau once more was
free.
The scene of action of all this was
now but transferred from the rear
to the front Of the hotel, where. not
apprehending the presence Of others,
the parties of this drama met with
out plan. Count Frederick had halt
ed, reluctant to leave the young girl
in such a time of distress. Count
Sachio. looking about him for some
sign Of the man who he knew had
the coin he coveted, also stood IT.
resolute at the curb. Kitty, pursuing
the flying thief-and after her now
Roleau-paused as they saw others
ahead. 1t seemed to Roleau when he
first caught sight Of the excellency
whom he served that she was wait
ing for someone, holding back for
some purpose of her own.
The flying apache passed close to
Count Sachio. He halted at some
quick word, some sudden sign which
the nobleman gave to him. Roleau
saw them converse for just a moment
saw Sachio pass money to the fly
ing thief, and then motion him to
speed on his way. Roleau saw Sachio
look at his hand, hurriedly clasp it
shut, and thrust it into hisepocket-
saw him in turn beckon to his own
man, Bartel, his late agent in certain
Of these affairs.
This could indicate but one thing.
Sachio had obtained possession Of the
coin, had transferred it to his mes
senger! And now they saw that mes
senger hasten to the nearest motor
car standing at the curb.
Another car stood, as yet unoccu-
pied, and toward this now started
three persons-Count Frederick, Kitty
Gray, and Roleau, the idea Of pursuit
being foremost in the mind Of each of
these three. But Kitty Gray, re-
joiced at finding her servant once
more at her side-for now Roleau had
fastened forward-was Of no mind to
take any other ally into her own
plans. Even as the agent of Count
Sachio sprang into the car, they
rushed swiftly to that approached by
Count Frederick, and with more force
than politeness pushed that gentle
man aside, sprang in, and made such
argument to the driver of the car that
he was off at speed within the next
moment.
"Quick, Roleau!" called Kitty Gray.
make him drive-that man is Bartel,
the partner of Count Sachio. He is
bound for the train-he has the coin,
I am sure, and he means to take it to
the kingdom of Grahoffen. Once
there, it is lost to us. Quick, he must
not beat us to the train!"
So rapidly had these events oc-
Cured that she scarcely had time for
thought.
"In two hours, or three at most
if that man catches the train-the
coin will be in Cortislaw's hands, and
out of our reach forever. Drive, Ro-
leau-make him drive"
Therefore, what Count Frederick,
left alone in the street, was forced to
see was the spectacle Of those two
hurrying vehicles leaving him to his
own devices. He looked about him
hurriedly for some means of locomo-
ton of his own, and his gaze fell
uDon a horse standing at the curb.
In default Of better means, he sprang
to the saddle, and himself was off in
such pursuit as he could compass.
Bartel, the Gretzhoffen agent, was
in no mood to delay. He urged his
own car hard, and fastened toward
the station Of the little railway which.
as Kitty and 'Roleau both knew, led
to Grahoffen around the northern ex-
tremity of the neutral strip, close in
under the shoulders OF the little
mountains.
There stood in the station now, at
tached to the Tuning engine, mixed
train, partly mode Of coaches, partly
of fats, apparently ready to depart.
Bartel approached the guard rapidly.
What he said no one heard, but an
instant later the guard had received
from Bartel telegram, had trans
ferred it to the station agent, and
himself was blowing the signal for
the starting of the train-perhaps
some minutes before the regular