Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-07-13
TENTH l%nsTALLMENT
CHAPTER xxxvii.
The Missing Victim.

The Missing Victim.
whats all this!" repeated the pro
feet holly, looking from one to the
other Of the group about him would
any Of you make . mockery OF the
lAw?~
In turn the members Of the I'M
willing and ill-assorted party gazed at
him and at n another.
Kitty Gray alone seemed to bring
to the situation = different point Of
view For Just one instant she was
Of the belief that some hoax indeed
had been committed here by her serv.
ant, perhaps in the interest Of her
sell. But the heavy frown Of the off,
Ger fixed upon her face sobered her
quickly enough.
In tura she cast a glance upon Ro-
leau and raised her brows in query.
but that faithful soul only shook his
head to signify his own ignorance OF
the nature Of this new mystery.
Which OF you has undertaken this
sorry JEST" demanded the project
again. Come, now. there was muir
der here. The town is afoot over 1t.
And now We come here and are told
there is NO murder, or at least no VIC
tim Of one! Where is the body? You
said you saw the man lying here"
He spoke to Roleau.
Your excellency. so he was" re-
plied the latter. He lay here on the
fioor-directly where you see this
stain. This man here was bending
over him when l caught him He was
searching for something on the body.
1t lay directly here when I left this
room, Mousieur le Project That II
al i can say"
Tho project in anger turned to
Blake. the apachs leader. What do
you sayf" he demanded.
That l should be set free!" smiled
the latter, showing his ragged teeth.
you, woman" the chief turned
once more to the incoherent maid who
stood vrfnging her hands-"what do
you mean BY coming with such an
alarm, when there Is NO proof OF
needT"
But / saw him lying there on the
6oor-there was blood"
But blood alone does not make .
crime. There must be also the body
of the crime itself. We must make
further search. You will all remain
In custody until We have looked fur
ther. You will all 60 with US to the Ho-
tel de VILE for the further examina.
ton. We must find what bottom there
is to all this"
II beg your pardon, Monsieur lie
Prefect," here interrupted the deep
voice Of the Count Frederick. You
will do nothing Of the kind SO far az
am concerned, and SO far as this
young woman here is concerned"
The face of the project flushed In
surprise. How now. Monsieur lie
Comte? You speak somewhat boldly
it seems to me-"
There is no need for argumen,
over it." resumed Count Frederick. u
was not here. as you we'll know. when
this crime was alleged TO be commit
ted-your men found me elsewhere
almost at the moment of the crime 1t
self. Ny own people can tell you
where I Was all the day before thai
momant. Moreover, this young WON
an Wa not here. As l q testify
she was ut my house. Al to this man
whose name 10 Roleau, he was . serv
ant at one time. ! cannot say where
he has been all the morning. but ne
was In my house. and apparently hat
been for some time when your mer
arrested us there-this young woman
myself and him"
True, true rejoined the ofhcial
but all these things may come ou'
at the examination"
I'VE are not bound to Join you II
this examination" rejoined Count
Frederick coldly. $50 Tar as this no
bleman OF our sister kingdom Is con
cerned It is something Of an fndig
nifty to hold him ON any charge which
perhaps mar not be made good. "ouie
you think It veil for our government
70 be Obliged - apologize to that o
Grahoffen at this timer"
The project hesitated for an tnstan,
pondering which horn Of q possible
dilemma would be safest for him. "A
least ! may call upon his majesty him
self to declare his will" said he q
length.
Then lose no time" said Coun
Frederick sternly. " fancy that hi
chamberiains, II you use my name, VII
carry any message to his majesty tron
us at onces We are to remain ner
safsly-and you yourself may take u
the question Of the message 70 tn
palsce. Tell his majesty that Coun
Frederick Of Gretzhonen and aiis
Gray Of America are held here' sus
pscts. under 30 grave and 10 ABSURD