The Elbert County tribune., 1916-02-04
FIFTEENTH INsTALLMENT
CHAPTER Nv.

ne Wlue wings OF the air craft rose
gracefully and steadily from the peril
GUS dip which 1t had made almost to
the surface of the sea. Under the
steady hand OF the pilot It swung up
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 at
one another happily. Roleau, wet
and weary, but smiling, had curled
himself down as best he could. and ac-
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. spiralec 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.
iieve it? l am weary with 1t ALL
scarce know whether am not in some
harassing dream. Are we then safe
again?"
Let us hope it, mademo!selle." /"
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 go then" said Count Fred
erick, "and see. After what we have
endured why trouble overmuch re-
garding what fate may have in addi.
ton? 1t all seems to me to have been
in the hand of fate itself. Even l am
OF the mind that our little fears do not
in the least alter the plans of the gods
regarding u.s.
THAT is the fatalism of a brave
man." said Kitty, smiling.
What! Then you call me at least
brave, mademoiselle? Would that
might find some other merit in your
own sense of unworthiness in the con.
duct I have shown towards you.
Mademoiselle-"
This is no time for such matters,
monsieur. Let us hasten" She
spoke composedly and even then was
turning toward the palace.
Roleau, apart at respectful dis
tance. for the time made no attempt to
intrude. Count Frederick and Kitty
hurried OF toward the plaza in front
OF the palace, whose grounds SO re-.
Gently had been the sceno of the des-
perate encounter between the two ar
mics. A certain peace had reigned
there but now, yet it had been but
the peace of exhaustion. The army of
Grahoffen had withdrawn, that was
true, but led by dauntiess minds its
retreat had been checked. With them
defeat was but relative term, tenn
pcrary condition. Even now they had
summoned up their courage, and those
but recently vanquished had set on
foot counter-attack against the capi-
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 unguarded
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 front Of the
palace which still 80 grimly held its
ancient secrets.
Come quick!" exclaimed Freder-
ick as this scene broke upon their
gaze. I'VE are 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 now"
Carefully as might be. and as quick
ly. they gained access once more to
the beleaguered palace of Gretzhoffen.
In tho anteroom they met none less
than Michael, the puppet king himself.
He was the image of terror now, and
willing to babble to any of his woes.
What shall we do? Where shall
We go?" he exclaimed almost in de-
spair. They are at us again-they
have no mercy on us-they do not
stay defeated, my dear count. Yon-
have our hearts blood. 1t is terrible.
Where shall We fly from him?"
Much Of these broken utterances had
truth in them The Grahoffen troops
we're indeed in possession of the CEN
trail defenses OF the town. By virtue
of tho magic of persistence and speed
OF action Count Sachio himself once
more had won to the head of his
trcops- From some place unknown