Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-07-13

sion possible. Certainly his mistress
had not come out by the front hall.
therefore she must have passed out
by yonder window. which had offered
exit to the i%ntruders. The next mo-
ment Roleau himself was through the
same window and hurrying down the
fire escape which he saw now gave &C.
Tess to the street. BY the time the
captain of the guard and his hurrying
men were close on his track at the
hotel desk, Roleau once more was
free.
The scene Of action Of all this was
now but transferred from the rear
to the front of the hotel. where. not
apprehending the presence Of others,
the parties Of this drama met with
out plan. Count Frederick had halt
ed. reluctant to leave the young girl
in such a time Of distress. Count
Sachio, looking about him for some
sign Of the man who he knew had
the coin he coveted, also stood ir.
resolute at the curb. Kitty, pursuing
the flying thief-and after her now
Roleau-paused as they saw others
ahead. 1t seemed to Roleau when he
first caught sight Of the e%xcellency
whom he served that she was wait
ing for someone. holding back for
some purpose of her own.
The flying apache passed close to
Count Sachio. He halted at some
quick word. some sudden sign which
the nobleman gave to him. Roleau
saw them converse for just . moment
saw Sachio pass money to the fly
ing thief, and then motion him to
speed on his way. Roleau saw Sachio
look at his hand, hurriedly clasp 1t
shut, and thrust 1t into hisspocket-
saw him in turn beckon to his own
man, Rartel. his late agent in certain
of these affairs.
This could indicate but one thing.
sachio had obtained possession OF the
coin, had transferred it to his mes
senger! And now they saw that mes
senger hasten to the nearest motor
| car standing at the curb.
Another car stood, as yet unoccu'
pied, and toward this now started
three persons-Count Frederick, Kitty
Gray, and Roleau. the idea Of pursuit
being foremost in the mind Of each Of
these three. But Kitty Gray, re
joiced at finding her servant once
more at her side-for now Roleau had
fastened forward-was Of no mind tc
take any other ally into her OWL
plans. Even as the agent Of Count
Sachio sprang into the car, they
rushed swiftly to that approached BY
Count Frederick. and with nor force
than politeness pushed that gentle
man aside, sprang in, and made sucf
argument to the driver Of the a thai
he was of at speed within the mex
moment.
"Quick, Roleau!" called Kitty Gray
Make him drive-that man Is Bartel
the partner OF Count Sachio. He II
bound for the train-he has the coin
/ am sure, and he means to take 1t K
the kingdom of Grahoffen. Onc'
there, 1t is lost to US. Quick, he MUS
not beat US to the train!"
So rapidly had these events &C
Cured that she scarcely had time TO,
thought.
I'm two hours, or three at most
IL that man catches the train-th'
coin will be in Cortislaw's hands, ant
out Of u reach forever. Drive, Re
leau-make him drive!"
Therefore, what Count Frederick
left alone In the street, wat forced II
see was the spectacle Of those tw'
hurrying vehicles leaving him to hi
own devices. He looked about hin
hurriedly for some means of locomc
ton of his own, and his gaze fel
upon a horse standing at the curb
In default of better means, he spranI
to the saddle, and himself was on II
such pursuit as he could compass.
Bartel, the Gretzhofen agent, wa
in no mood to delay. He urged hi
own car hard, and fastened towar'
the station of the little railway which
as Kitty and Roleau both knew, le
to Grahoffen around the northern q
tremity Of the neutral strip, close !
under the shoulders Of the It'll
. mountains.
There stood in the station now, a
tached to the tuning engine, a mike
train, partly mode Of coaches. partl
, Of flats, apparently ready to depar
Bartel approached the guard rapid!
What he said no one heard, but a
instant later the guard had receive
from Bartel a telegram, had tram
ferred 1t to the station agent, an
) himself was blowing the signal fo
the starting Of the tra%in-perhar
. some minutes before the reRT,ls