The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-03-09
SECOND INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER vi.
Count Frederick.

Count Frederick.
Kitty Gray turned suddenly to the
man seated beside her in the motor,
bending upon him steady gaze.
who are you?" asked she. "Why
did you follow me?'
The swathed figure suddenly
Strengthened. Whatever l am-what-
ever you may think me, do not believe
me incapable of gratitude to yourself"
What is your name?'
"They call me Roleau, made
moiselle.'
Kitty Gray turned yet more closely
Then why not enlist with me-?
Surely we have a common cause. We
have a common enemy. Would it be
wrong did you and l league against
him?"
you ask me, then"
ITO be my friend, my ally"
surely l owe him no allegiance
further" exclaimed Roleau bitterly.
"He struck me like dog"
"Yet you and 1 must see him again
and SOON"
What! Would you trust yourself
once more in his presence? You are
an American girl-you are innocent,
you are ignorant warn you"
"None the less, If I am to go forward
with the business which brought me
here to Gretzhoffen, surely l must
once more meet the Count Frederick.
The man at her side hesitated no
more than an instant Every we'll,
said he calmly. CAS- for me, my life
has been forfeit many time before
now. What matter? l will go with
you as you say. Indeed, I fancy
know why you ask me to go-they
know me at the palace-they will ad
NIT us BOTH
It was as Roleau had said. When
finally the two drew up to the court
driveway in front of the counts pal
ace, they were admitted without ques
ton. Roleau closed the door behind
him and put a finger to his lips fol
silence.
''They will listen" he whispered
Count Frederick receives his
friends
Curiously, silently, Kitty sat or al
times walked about the room, taking
stock of the surroundings. Coun'
Frederick entered.
"Mademoiselle! am charmed! ST
you remember me?"
You may say as much indeed" re
Joined Kitty Gray calmly. II saw 20,
in the carriage this morning."
He turned now to Roleau, with NJ
change in his countenance to indicate
any recollection Of the nature of thei1
last meeting. "You may retire to tn.
next room,'' said he dismissing hin
with a wave of the hand.
do not in the least misunderstan,
me, Monsieur lie Comte," said sh,
lightly. my business is very simple
have proposition to make to you
business proposition"
But I am not business man,
Knocked the smiling antagonist VIII
faced her. He came yet a half ste
closer.
"Are you so sure?" exclaimed sh
suddenly. "Is there no business i
Then why did you send a messenge
to follow me in my own country,
ransack my apartments there, to vic
late my privacy even on the steamer?
My man served me but ill-if
may admit part of what you sa
mademoiselle."
'"That is why I am here-and in hi
company! Yes, know your messe1
ger as l know you. Come, let us re;
son together over this, Monsieur
Comte. Shall it be business or wa
between us?"
The sheer audacity of this speec
for one moment daunted Count Ere,
erick. The next he broke into a roe
of laughter and flung himself into
chair. "Admirable!" said he.
She started away from him, movir
toward the door. II came, Monsie,
lie Comte." said she boldly, Ito as
you what price for the half coin whic
you seek to hold. Suppose, for i
stance, that Gretzhoffen loan we
executed for you finally in New Yo1
would that influence you at al
Come now, let us reason"
II am beyond reason; I care lit
for the sordid side. l value not
much money as what money bring
1t could bring me no more than VIII
fortune has brought me at no CO..
this morning very hour"
'Roleau!" cried Kitty suddenly.
moi! Au secours! Vite!"
''You waste BREATH laughed Cou
Frederick. "He cannot come"
Kitty made one swift dart iowa
the door. She was too late. T.
relentless face of her opponent smil