The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-01-28

ago. an extra bottle Of Beloc, and my
majesty sent a man. Count SachiO,
yonder to bring II. My majesty de
sires--"
"Sachio here!"
Yes. here. You have said that
twice. He was here, twice or once
know not how many times. But now
you are here, mademoiselle. and that
Is enough. My majesty desires
He advanced toward her. The leer
upon his puffed face gave her swift
disgust as well as terror. With no
purpose whatever. as he stumbled for.
ward she fled from the room, fed she
knew not where.
Without much plan. Kitty turned
toward the interior OF the palace, ard
down the long hall which before that
time she had explored. Something told
her that Frederick, II he we're here in
the palace now, had passed that way.
The torture chamber-that dread
spot! Must she go there to look Tor
him? She sped on rapidly along these
~passageways which she had learned
before. Through the last deep sunken
tunnel Which led to the door OF ilri
torture chamber itself she passed.
alone, trembling with fear. and yet re-
solved.
The door was locked. She turned to
see the key upon the wall. AS abe
turned there came to her a faint
sound. Someone was knocking AT the
door. The blood stopped at her heart.
She felt her face 20 cold. Had the
lead indeed come to life? Was d IN.
Iced true that some hand from beyond
the grave alone could point out the
hiding place OF this treasure? What
could II mean?
But the knocking at the door grew
Oolder. She heard a voice-a ain
voice through the steel facing OF the
inner cavern. Trembling. she fitted
ne key. gave one great push to open
he door. which yielded the more
quickly to a power cXcrted within She
Jaw the faint CLEAN OF a light added
o those OF hei own candle; IA the
ace OF the man she had sought!
YOU she cried. 1T Is yoU?"
She heard him answer calmly slow
v. without agitation as though all tho
ime he had been convinced she would
m
1t is ended" said Count Frederick
1t last. slowly. Never again viii :
iCubt! prayed for you. prayed hat
5Ou should understand before | died
But It was meant tor you to come Tor
ne, that | might k~now--kuow as much
- they who are here, who ave G
ny fellows and my friends. Mademoi
,elle--l had said good.by to every
hing excepting one. There was that
eft which no man should die without
~ynowing-that experience which only
makes life worth living. ! have dread
ID all things. but now | hope must
II shall hopel"
, lie stopped toward her now. and for
he moment each was careless OF the
itrange surroundings in which they
, ttoud. For a half moment the heart
I. II Kitty Gray was on the point OF sur
, 'ender.
/, Monsieur lie comte. for that we
=, ave 10 time now" said she gently 1T
!, vas but chance which brought me
= lere.'
, "Chauce2 Yes, II fate, II the hand
II heaven mean chance, l shall call Il
] ,hance. not otherwise. ] say that Il
4 a the plan of fate long ago that you
ihould come TO me, now and here
+, I'VE have come close TO the secret
q laid Kitty Gray slowly. But we have
!. ONE closer to perils,"
- True, more than you know"
q What do you mean?"
"Sachio was here-it was he and his
nan who thrust mo in hcre. where
II lad planned 10 place him. They know
[ all-all that VIC do now. made
IS n~olselle sachlo himself has gone Il
.e . AIRY his news TO his king. W. are
ipdone. mademoiseile! There viii b'
war.
II war. then why do we wait here?'
NJ me demanded OF him. War is VIVA
fe va have sought to avoid for this kinr
~ icm by our own knowledge OF IA.
.oin. II II be too late-why, then
Ne must fight. All. how ] wish
N we're a man. that ! might fight a
we'll"
You have fought well for all of as
msdemoiselle." said Frederick. w
ur have repulsed our enemies. Woul
you repuise-your riendY"
,r She made no answer, but was awe
IFS before him In the dark passageway
CHAPTER /,
Tha battle.