The Red Cloud chief., 1916-05-25


of her enemy.
who is it?" she cried. Loose me
leave me! Where am II"
She caught her hands to her face
now as there came to her once more
the terror of what she had seen. She
dared not look about her. Take me
away!" she moaned. Take me
away"
He made no answer for q time.
"Why have you followed me here"
she demanded at last, half hysteri.
cally.
He spoke now, slowly. almost sol.
EMMY.
WHY" said he. 81 do not know
why. think It must have been be-
cause you were in trouble. Perhaps
you called me-perhaps that Is why
came"
What do you mean? Would you
taunt me now, at such a time?
have been frightened almost to the
point OF death--it was terrible
Come" said Count Frederick, and
placed about her an arm on whose
strength in spite Of herself, she was
glad to lean.
He was guiding her toward the door
She turned and saw again that which
but now had smitten her with terror.
Her nerves. weakened by the long
strain upon them. gave way once
more.
The flare OF the candle lighted up
the cavernous interior at whose en-
trance they stood. Count Frederick
saw what she had seen.
On the walls stood out hooks. steel
arms which supported eyeless. grin.
ming skulls-old-how old no one
could tell. Beyond arose rods and
gratings. barbed. pointed, curved. An
iron chair was in a corner and In 1t
sat grinning skeleton.
It was the torture chamber. the
room OF terrors, born OF other years
more savage than these, and brought
down unchanged through all the cen.
turies!
Come" said Count Frederick. his
own voice agitated. 1T is no time
to think OF any treasure now. but you
| yourself"
He caught her away swiftly into the
other passage, and flung the door shut
behind them. In silence he led her
along the subterranean passage and
up the stairs.
He left her once more alone in her
own room, to compose herself as best
she might. while he went on to rejoin
the king.
80. then. you found her. faithful
messenger" demanded Michael.
"Yes. your majesty, at length. She
was but strolling about to pass the
time during your absence. While I
know little OF such matters, 1t seems
to me that the trials OF the day have
been extreme for her"
King Michael ended by asking the
attendance Of the young woman her
self; but 1t was just at this juncture
that there arrived at the palace none
less than the prefect of police. who
made suppliance through several court
official for admittance to audience
with royalty.
He says" ventured the last cham.
berlain, that he comes regarding the
murder at the Ritz hotel. in which
your majesty was graciously pleased
to be interested"
Yes, yes--my dear Count Fred
erick. 1t was absurd that you should
be mixed in that-or the young Amer
ican-I have not had time to think OF
1t since then. What Is all this now?
Bring the man In"
And SO presently the prefect
abashed and much perturbed, was ad
mitted.
We'll, WE'LL" demanded the mon
arch. what Is it-why do you come
here?"
For only one reason. your mai
esty." began the prefect humbly
1--WE are convinced that there Is more
than chance medley in this murder
The thing goes deeper than We
thought at first"
Have you no suspect?"
"One. your majesty. a person of nc
importance. by name Roleau."
How now, count?" Michael turned
to the nobleman who still stood near
What think you of this natter"
Count Frederick considered for 9
moment before he replied.
Set him free" said he at length
Watch him. He will lead US to some
thing perhaps. Be sure that once hi
Is loose he will not be at rest fol
long"
An excellent idea." said Michael
Michael turned now to the matters
closer to his heart-the welfare of the
i, young American, whom he had moi
seen since his return to the palace
Even now she waited for admission t
his presence. and he had her sum
: moned at once.
What! mademoiselle," cried MI
chael, you are pale. You have not ye
fully recovered-you have been ill?'
Yes. your majesty" replied Kitty
smiling somewhat wanly. He now no
: ticed that the serving woman at he
| side carried her wrana and that oh,