The Elbert County tribune., 1916-01-14

eyes. ana reached out his hand.
She stirred under his touch. Her
eyes opened, looked into his. What
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 a time.
why have you followed me here?
she demanded at last. half hysteri-
cally.
He spoke now. slowly. almost sol
emnly.
'Why?" said he. II do not know
why. l think 1t must have been be-
cause you were in trouble. Perhaps
you called me-perhaps that is why l
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 10 one
could tell. Beyond arose rods and
gratings. barbed. pointed, curved. An
iron chair was in a corner, and in it
sat grinning skeleton.
1t was the torture chamber, the
room of terrors, born of other years
more savage than these, and brought
down unchanged through all the cen
turtles,
Come" said Count Frederick. his
own voice agitated. "It 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.
so, 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
know little of such matters. it 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 it 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
it 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. WELL" 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 no
Importance. by name Roleau"
How now, count?" Michael turned
to the nobleman who still stood near.
what think you of this matter?"
Count Frederick considered for a
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 he
is loose he will not be at rest for
long"
An excellent idea." said Michael.
Michael turned now to the matters
closer to his heart-the welfare of the
young American, whom he had not
seen since his return to the palace.
Even now she waited for admission to
his presence. and he had her sum-
moned at once.
"Whatt mad danoioaIIaD oriod AT;