The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-03-10
CHAPTER XXI.
Again In Gretzhoffen.

Pursuit? Kitty laughed at the
thought as she felt under her the
strong pulse of the great machine.
She had taken the drivers seat, and
as the car was of left-hand drive, for
the time she had no opportunity to
look into the tonneau. had she liked.
Listening to the swift purr of the
smooth motor, she did not at first
hear the sound of chuckling laugh
back of her in the Cara chuckle
which at length broke out into a
hearty gust Of laughter.
She turned her eyes swiftly at risk
Of capsizing the car-and found her
sef gazing directly into the face. of
the man whom Of all others she would
most have preferred to see.
Even now he came crawling across
the top of the seat to Join her in the
front Of the car.
"Roleau!" she exclaimed, 'Ts it in
deed you? Are you always to be the
deus ex machina in all my difficulties
literally you are that now!"
II do not know what you mean by
that, excellency," said Roleau, as he
took the steering wheel from her, "but
I have been in this machine for some
time. I was satisfied that did you es
cape from the palace you would, need
means Of getting away. All need
ed to do was to wait patiently. So you
have come. AS soon as could make
my own escape secured this cara
good one-and I followed. 1t was very
simple, as you see."
cat least a near squeak this time
Roleau," said Kitty. ''They never
meant for me to escape"
"They do not mean it now, excel
lency," said Roleau, nodding behind
him, where he knew pursuit even now
was beginning. II will drive now as
] have never driven before. IT'S 6
sweet engine. and it rides we'll. They
will drive fast who follow U.s."
All of which was so literally true
that before long the desert miles once
more had sped beneath them and Kit
ty found herself again in the city
she was more than ever disposed tc
call her home. They found entrance
TO the Ritz hotel at the rear door. in
view of their own travel-stained con
dition.
"Excellency," said the grieved and
panied clerk, when at length she made
her way to the desk, II was on the
point of removing your belongings and
making other arrangements for your
apartments"
''By what right?" demanded Kitty
"They are paid for in advance-why
should they not be ready for me when
| conner"
"But we did not hear when you
would return"
There are many things one does
not hear-perhaps you may hear very
little of my own business and my
plans. I pay for service here. Please
care for me, therefore, and my man
we both are tired"
"You have been inquired for in your
absence, excellency. The Count Fred
erick of Gretzhoffen-"
Indeed, and what could he want?''
"He has been here twice, excellency.
but yesterday he came the last time
He said he came on message OF the
king-which gave me warrant for what
he asked"
"And what was that?"
/ access to your apartments. He
said it was the command of the king.
"And you dared give him such &C
cess?"
eve dared not do less, excellency'
He was most courteous in one way
asked many questions regarding your
self; but as to search Of your apart
ments he made mono, or next to none.
He seemed to care for nothing that he
saw, save one little picture, a portrait
Kitty remained but briefly in her
own rooms. She took a swift glance
about. Everything seemed in place.
much as she had left it-no search ap-
parently had been made Of any of the
cabinets or drawers. There had been
a little picture-one of herself-left
on the dressing table. It was gone!
She missed nothing else.