The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-17

their den for stolen goods-yvs, ~. !
know. But dare you 90 with msr
II must dare H." said Kitty frzpay.
Perhaps my friends viii follow me-
l do not know-but sven u mot, yoa
and must get back what hs has sto-
len from ma"
"And what vas II sxcellsnsyf
NO more han . broken bit Of coin,
captain. Of value to none - q = nov,
Of great value to me provided I sAA
attain It and the other half. ~
You need say not more. Ths et
rand Il enough TO interest me-be
cause now I shall have that fellow
Blake where have ionged to nnd him.
He shall not ride with NJ again. But
come" he added.
They found their way through the
darkening streets In the purlisus of
Gretzhoffen town. Under the leader
ship Of the chieftain they threaded
street after street, alley after allsy.
until at length their party descended
into . steep gully In less important
portion Of the city. A faint light
showed through the chinks Of q wall
which seemed to be the facing Of Q
bank. but which really concealed some
sort of den within.
"Yonder. excellency." whispered
Landozi. is the place where they hols
up-like rats In q sewer-and they
have no more principlet-they are
worthy Of no more. Come. my man,
close In"
He pushed against the door round
which shone the CLEANS of light, and
FASTENED into sort Of passageway.
Their entry attracted no attention for
the time.
Only two Of the gang remained, the
others having departed on one errand
or other Of their own. When Kitty
and her companion looked through the
little window. which gave in upon the
recess under the bluff. they saw sit
ting close to the table two men
Blake, the renegade, and another Of
his band. The keen eye of Kitty de-
tected Blake's hand lying upon the
table-and near 1t the object which
she sought-the missing coinl
Quick" whispered Landoxi, and a.
he spoke he broke into the room.
Without hesitation he flung himself
upon Blake. and Kitty. wishing to b
Of service, and finding NO better
means. caught up an empty bottle
which stood near and dealt 10 inter
estirg blow upon the head Of the
remaining rufflan as to put him out of
the combat for the time. An instant
later she had caught from the tabla
the coveted coin.
Let him 60, LandoA quicki
Come! have got I'll" she exclaimed
And an instant later she was In the
passageway once more.
She had almost made her way out
into the open, when in the aemidark.
ness she felt strong hand clutch at
her wrist-heard low laugh at her
ear.
"Roleau!" she cried aloud.
mo. not Roleau," said q voice she
knew well enough-the voice of ths
Count Frederick.
so. you have It! Very well, cling
to it, then-but don't drop 1t. To pre-
vent that will even hold your hand
In mine"
you brute!" exclaimed Kitty, sob
bing now in the intensity Of her emo
tions-"after all have done to get
it-and 1t is minel"
Why argue 1t, my dear young
lady?" exclaimed Count Frederick. Il
have told you must have 1t. l regret
as much as you that l must disturb
you"
Release me-let ms go!"
Painting, she looked up at him In the
half light. What she saw was a face
grim and full of purpose-a face which
1t seemed to her she would always
hate-but in which at least there was
no trace of any fear.
Come" he said, and flung an arm
about her waist as he stepped toward
the open. Let Roleau fend for him.
self-I am satisfied with what l hawo
now."
An instant later he halted. From
what sounds he heard at the rear, he
knew escape was cut on there. And
now crowding in at the entrance Of
the main gallery in which they stood.
there came yet others of the thieves'y
band. barring exit there as well.
Count Frederick. shielding Kitty.
stood at bay.