Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-02-11
Fifteenth lNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER w.

Inc wide wings or the air craft rose
gracefully and steadily from the peril
GUS dip which 1t had made almost tc
the surface Of the sea. Under the
steady hand Of the pilot 1t swung uE
and around and headed back toward
the shore.
Below them now lay the towers Of
Gretzhoffen. The roar of the motor
made conversation impossible, but the
three occupants Of the car looked al
one another happily. Roleau, wet
and weary. but smiling, had curled
himself down as best he could, and &C
cepted this last phase Of his adventure
with his usual philosophy
To the relief Of all three, at length
they saw the green shores Of Gretz.
hoffen waterfront rising up to meet
them The aeroplane. skillfully han.
died, spiraled gracefully down. Safe at
length, they stepped from the car.
Frederick and Kitty faced each other.
Are we then at the end Of our
perils?" asked Kitty. Dare we be.
lieve It? ! am weary with It ALL
scarce know whether am not In some
harassing dream. Are we then safe
again."
Let US hope It. mademoiselle. "
said Count Frederick.
But stay" said he. How can we
know what may have transpired at the
palace in our absence? Only one thing
is to be depended upon, and that is
that Sachio will not relent. He will
have some plot on foot-he will not
admit his defeat"
Let US 60 then" said Count Fred.
erick. "apd see. After what we have
endured why trouble overmuch re-
garding what fate may have in add.
ton? 1t all seems to me to have been
In the hand of fate itself. Even am
of the mind that our little fears do not
in the least alter the plans Of the gods
regarding us"
That is the fatalism of brave
man." said Kitty, smiling.
What! Then you call me at least
brave, mademoisele? Would that
might find some other merit in your
eyes-and would | might blot out my
own sense of unworthiness in the con
duct ! have shown towards you.
Mademoisele-"
This is no time for such matters,
monsieur. Let US hasten" She
spoke composedly, and even then was
turning toward the palace.
Rcleau, apart at a respectful dis.
lance. for the time made no attempt to
intrude. Count Frederick and Kitty
hurried Off toward the plaza In front
Of the palace, whose grounds so re-
Gently had been the scene Of the des-
perate encounter between the two ar.
mics. A certain peace had reigned
there but now, yet 1t had been but
the peace of exhaustion. The army OF
Grahoffen had withdrawn, that was
true, but led by dauntless minds its
retreat had been checked. With them
defeat was but relative term, q tenn.
porary condition. Even row they had
summoned up their courage, and those
but recently vanquished had set on
foot counter-attack against the capt.
tai Of their recently victorious foe.
AS they advanced they found the
plaza once more filled with armed men,
the forces Of Grahoffen again upon the
aggressive. BY stealth now, rapidly
and without the sound OF martial mu.
sic. they had stolen into the urguarded
portion Of the city. The courage of
despair perhaps animated them in this
undertaking. Yet now confidence and
not despair seemed to rule among
them as they gathered In fr3nt Of the
palace which still so grimly held its
ancient secrets.
Come quick!" exclaimed Freder-
lex as this scene broke upon their
gaze. 1--WE ara alone-our forces are
scattered-they are upon us again in
thousands. We must take refuge In
the palace-only in its hidden recesses
can we find any help new"
Carefully as might re, and as quick.
ly, they gained access once more to
the beleaguered palace CT Gretzhoffen.
In the aLteroon they net none less
than Michael, the puppet king himself.
He was the image Of terror now, and
willing to babhle to any CT his wees.
What shall we DO? Where shall
We 60" he exclaimed almost In de.
spair. They are at us again-they
lave no mercy en- us-they do rot
itay defeated, my dear count. Yon.
Ter Sachic does not relent-he will
ave our hearts blood. 1t is terrible.
Where shall we fly from him." {
Much of these broken utteraLces had
truth In them. The GrahoffeE troops
we're indeed IN possession of tie cen
raj defecses Of this town. BY virtue
Il the magic Of persistence and speed
II ectioa Court Sachlo himself once
lore had won to the head OF mis-
GODS. From some plsce unknown
to them he reappeared, the man in
whom they had confidence, and the
man who had confidence in himself.
With such an adversary King Michael.
or even the stouter soul now at his
side, might well find pause.
"Socn twill be indeed too late, your
majesty" exclaimed Count Frederick.
Conceive must find some safety in
the inner chambers Of the palace,
Luckily 1t was built for precisely such
q crisis as this in its fate. Come,
mademoiselle. your hand, quick. Your
majesty. 1t is net beneath your dig.
nifty to hasten now"
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