The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-01-21

Ih'uIlHB NoHpaHy
the hall. somewhat apart from the
others.
considerable time had elapsed,
how long none OF these might have
said, when the air was split by sud.
den shrill whistle which came from
the hall beyond the door.
Blake. hiding his time. appraising
the proper instant, had given the sig
nal OF his tribe.
The result was confusion TO all but
him. II was as though the call OF
Rhoderick Dhu had been repeated,
summoning armed men from every
rock and bush about. For now, in.
stantly. swiftly. 1t seemed as though
every hiding place in these small
apartments produced an armed man:
Without doubt the apache band had
laid siege to Kitty Gray's apartments,
and with no intent OF failure.
The high voice of one of the apaches
was first. you, all of you, quick
have no time to triiie with YOU.
want the coin-which of you has it,"
The apache's gaze turned from
Count Sachio's face to that of Count
Frederick, and then again from Kitty
to Roleau. But none OF these made
answer Not one made him sure as to
any specific guess
Kitty's eyes despairingly sought
those of Roleau, but the fighting face
of that belligerent showed no sign of
war. Count Frederick looked at her.
anxiety upon his face, but made no
sign which could catch her attention.
He was not indeed entirely sure that
she had the coin in her possession.
Search them all, men" came the
quick order Of the rat-faced apache.
who was now in charge OF this situa.
ton. We must hurry. BE careful
now"
The men who had covered the nris-
oners with their weapons now sent
| forward some of their number TO car.
ry out these orders AS they advanced
! Roleau sprang 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
man wants only bit of coinl In the
name of heaven, to give that is cheap
er than to get killed."
Roleau fell back, and the work of
the searchers went on. But II 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 kindled their
eyes with a 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 il elsewhere than in her
handbag. 1t was a foregone conclu.
sion that 1t would be found there. The
thieves gave eXultant EXPLANATIONS
when at length they saw the fruit Of
their enorts-the piece of broken
coin. The man who searched Kitty's
bag held It up, grinning.
Before any had time to form a plan
there came sudden cry from one or
more OF the apaches an instant later
and ell of them were 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"
who we're they think you?" in
CURED Sachio
"Who?" replied Count Frederick.
They are thieves Of our beloved city
Of Gretzhct fen--a part of organized So
cicty as 1t exists here, my friend and
well organized. as is easy to be seen.
Blake, yonder, is their leader His
home Is in the edge of this city. and
his hand is ready enough, me thinks,
for any crime. Fifty, a hundred men
or more are under his orders. Appar.
emily he has laid his plans well. |
thought as much when last saw him
and his rats"
And when was that, Monsieur lie
Comte?"
AT no long time ago | paid him a
visit said Count Frederick. shrug.
ging. 81 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-whateve 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 this
other nobleman Of Grahoffep.
Count Frederick smiled. This.