Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-03-31
.IhE Dp0KEN(Q

ltacturing Company. Il
ty when at length they had reached
the upper portion OF the palace, we
must advance to what remains yeI
to be done. The ministers must bt
summoned The writs must issue fol
the attendance of the parliament Tis
long since one has been convened
Michael the king-he alone has beer
our government-an what a govern
ment
They were now passing toward the
central portion Of the palace, having
assembled from the vaults below. Alb
bed-intent-Count Frederick. al
least, was inattentive to aught else
save the presence of the woman at
his side. But now she plucked his
sleeve
Listen" said she, and laid finger
on her lips.
At her signal, Count Frederick soft
ened his footsteps and walked with
her stealthjly, The sound of the
voices engaged in whispered CONVEX
sation came now to his ears. Sud
denly he stepped forward, convinced
flung open a door off the main hall
and passed within unannounced. II
was nc time for formalities in Gretz
hoffen palace now.
So said he, you are here again
What, Sachio, you honor us yet by an
other visit? That is most kind OF
you! You, Grahame, you, my former
bodyguard- here with this arch trai
tor, this liar, this treachcrous snake!
They stood, surprised as yet with
out plan for their defense.
"Ho, there,-the guard-the guard,
cried Count Frederick, stepping back
to the door,
But TO his call there came no
footsteps of the guard Instead,
one man came Roieau, who for the
past few moments had been in search
of the two men. He FASTENED past
Kitty as she stood, thrust himself into
the room, and with Count Frederick,
faced the trapped men who stood be-
fore them.
Count Sachio, with a snarl OF rage
sprang forward at his foe, and Roleau
with quick motion flung himself be.
tween He felt the iron hand OF his
master on his shoulder.
Leave him to me, Roleau! Take
care OF the ether man,
The two noblemen faced one an
other calmly now Not SO with Ro-
leau On the instant, he flung him
self upon the man accostcd as Ora
hame. The struggle was unequal and
under Roleaus powerful grasp the
intruder soon was helpless.
Well said Count Frederick Sa-
chic, how Shall it be? Shall choke
you with my hands ~
The man whom he accosted was
one not easily dismayed. He greeted
these words with a smile which
showed his white teeth His own
lighting blood was up, and fear was
a thing he did not know.
Suddenly his eye, rapidly glancng
about the room, caught sight of a
trophy of arms hung across the room.
From it he caught down two swords
Bowling, he handed both, hilt forward,
to Count Frederick AT your service,
monsieur he said
On guard said Count Fred.
erick
Lightly, gracefully, gently, the tips
of the two blades met, shiyered
trine, each feeling Of the ether, scarce
more than a hairs breadth from its
course.
The icy eye of Count Frederick
cold, merciless, looked into the dark
and smiling face of Sachio.
Il am going to kill you now said
Count Frederick Shall it be scon?'
The answer of Sachio was more
than a smile Fiercely he whipped
free his blade His knuckles up, his
blade shot forward in a long and dead
ly lunge.
Suddenly the Jaw of Count Fred
erick shut the tighter None could
have said that he bad seen what en-
sued. In some fashion, the blade OF
the nobleEan of Gretzhoffcl went cut
vibrating, catching in its grip the
blade opposed to it. There was q
wrench, a twist. The weapon OF
Count Sachio was torn frcm his hands,
he stood unarmed. He stood one half
moment before he felt, kissing hot
through all his body the point of his
antagonist.
Count Frederick turned, not wait.
ing to see his foe sink down, for he
knew the work was done, He ad-
vanced half pace to the man Ora
hame, covering in the corner before
Roleau. Him he smote across the
cheek with the bloody blade, and said;
You coward and traitor, you shall go
to the law"
AS for you, Roleau, captain of the
guard" said he you have proved
your faithfulness once more
What? | am captain. master?"
"Roleau. captain of the guard" said
he, Il thank you
And so he turned and strobe from
the room where one was waiting.
CHAPTER LxxVIll.