The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-02-25

I paloCe once more. Al ne FAD DO0Ot0d.
he knew this place as we'll as his own
bedchamber. He rushed on through
the wide hall, down the stairs to the
floor below, and back to the point
whence led down the galleries OF the
caverns floor under the castle itself,
He smiled now grimly as he has
tened. AS yet he was unhurt, and a.
yet he was unsupported. Once more
his sanguine soul lusted for success
and counted on 1t.
He met no opposition, heard no
where In these portions OF the palace
any football or any voice. Thus for
a moment or two he strobe on-and
then paused, frozen in his stride by
that which confronted him.
Gachio was sure that he had seen
the last OF the young American. He
reasoned that In all likelihood Count
Frederick-of whose absence he knew
quite well through his own secret
agents-had joined her somewhere.
He knew of the wreck Of the Prinx
Adler. Sachio was clear In his own
mind that these two enemies of his
were gone, never again to confront
him.
And yet now, as though spirits sum.
moned by his own thoughts, they
stood before him-both of them-the
tall nobleman and the slender, shrink.
Ing girl leaning on his arm. Yes, II
was they! His enemies had arisen
from the very grave to confront him.
he paused irresolute, unnerved, not
believing what he saw, and for the
time himself made no speech.
What do you here, Sachio?" broke
In the deep voice of his enemy once
his friend-a friend once too often
betrayed.
Il came by virtue Of my sword"
said Sachio, boldly now, seeing that
he might not evade this issue.
BY virtue of your sword only shall
you escape from here, Sachio," said
Count Frederick, calmly Stand bacv
OF me, mademoiselle, and give me
reach"
In flash the swords of the two
went out and joined in the encounter.
Each was an excellent swordsman. and
for moment neither had advantage.
The young girl screamed in terror at
the sight, for she knew the redoubt.
able reputation of Sachio as a swords
man, and long ere this she had Sc.
lected the one whom she desired to
see victor in this or any encounter
But Count Frederick did not glance
her way His eye was still fixed on
that of his opponent Only, softly,
gently, he repeated to her, Stand
back. mademoiselle. Give us room"
Sachio was full of tricks. He had
no wish to waste time here, and vet
knew not how to pass the blade now
opposing him. Suddenly he flung up
his hand to his chest as though struck,
hoping to find his foe off his guard
for Just an instant. 1t did not result
So The steady point Of Count Fred
erick lay cleaning before his breast
ready to thrust. And for another rea-
son was this subterfuge worse than a
useless one for Sachio. AS he caught
MS hand against his bosom there
came from its concealment in his
pocket something metallic, which fell
upon the floor. It rolled but briefly.
for 1t was not round-this piece of
metal. 1t was half coin.
Upon this Kitty fell with a sudden
cry. She knew in flash what was
this Dit or metal She knew how
Sachio must have priced it, and now
how Sachio, in the luck of the game.
had lost, and lost by his own hand.
Agile as cat, the girl stopped, ran
In, and emerged with the bit of metal
IN her hand. And still the eyes of
the two fighting men dared not turn
ner way. Sachio laughed, and tossed
over his shoulder haunting word.
1T is worthless, mademolselle," said
he-"co CONFERENCE.-THE nothing"
Count Frederick said nothing. but
ne heard her words coming to him
now from behind his shoulder.
Il have got them!" she exclaimed.
Doth halves OF the coin-they are
are ours-I am going now
come quick-as soon as you can"
But the cold eye of Count Frederick
never turned from the face Of his ad-
'ersary. He made no answer to these
words, although he heard the sound
II her footballs back Of him as she fed
Town the hall toward the interior of
he caverns.
We'll, Sachio," said Count Fred.
rick, your trickery failed Your at
ack has failed at every point. Fate
lights against you. Sachio. You have
ost the toss OF the die. You have lost
he coin"
The strong wrist Of the swarthy
lobleman covered his breast with his
extended steel. His eyes, bold even
this extremity, met that of his Cd.
'onent But Sachio knew the die in.
eed was cast. He knew now that he
lad failed.
For one moment he edged on inch
y inch, endeavoring to reach a point
rom which he might spring past
frederick, and SO follow the fleeing
III down the passageway. But always
ne other edged inch by inch in front
L him. Always the cold eye looked
nto his. Always the steady stee,
lenaced him.