The Spectator., 1916-01-04

quick order of the rat-faced apache, who was now in charge of this situa- tion. We must hurry. Be careful now"
 The men who had covered the pris- oners with their weapons now sent forward some of their number to car " out these orders. As they advanced Roleau sprang toward them, but was held back by the hand of the captain of gendarmes.
 "Quiet!" said the latter Would you have some of us killed? This man wants only bit of coin. In the name of heaven, to give that iS cheap CT than to get killedl"
 Roleau fell back, and the work of not money that the apaches sought. They took little count of the contents of the pockets which they ransacked.
 They turned at last to Kitty, and the swift flush on her face kindled their eyes with a suspicion of some guilty knowledge on her part. She had not had time since palming the piece of coin at the time of the original search to conceal it elsewhere than in her handbag. It was a foregone conclu- sion that it would be found there The thieves gave exultant exclamations when at length they saw the fruit of their efforts-the piece of broken coin. The man who searched Kitty's bag held it up, grinning.
 Before any had time to form a plan there came a sudden cry from one or more of the apaches. An instant later and all of them were gone-passing out the open window to the fire es- cape which led to the street below.
 By the Lord!" exclaimed Sachio, the first to speak. That was sudden work He turned to Count Fred erick, certain anxiety in his own gaze, for he might we'll fancy that the latter held him in no too safe position of friendship, since his own late ransacking of the counts palace here in Gretzhoffen town.
 "Who were they, think you?" in- quired Sachio.
 'Who?" replied Count Frederick. They are thieves of our beloved city of Gretzhoffen-a part of organized so- ciety as it exists here, my friend, and well organized, as is easy to be seen. Blake. wonder, is their leader. His home is in the edge of this city, and his hand is ready enough, me thinks, for any crime. Fifty, a hundred men or more are under his orders. Appar- ently he has laid his plans we'll. thought as much when l last saw him and his rats"
 And when was that, Monsieur le Comte?"
 At no long time ago I paid him visit" said Count Frederick, shrug- ging. 'I learned enough to be ready to suspect that man wonder or any of his tribe. They have broken and en- tered these apartments. Within our view they have committed robbery from the person of this young woman here. They have obviously taken what they sought-whatever chat may be- l trust it was of no consequence, ma demoiselle?"
 Kitty took her cue from the calm speech of the count. her late rival, but now rather her friend than this other nobleman of Grahoffen.
 She only in turn shrugged her own shoulders and turned a somewhat re. proachful gaze upon the officers of the law, who stood about, helpless and chagrined.
 Count Frederick smiled. This, said he. lis somewhat of a jest It seems to me that our friends the gendarmes submitted somewhat cas- fly. At least they have gone-they have taken what they liked, and they have carried off their dead from the field-if there have been dead here Have you any notion beyond this, my dear Sachio?'
 But Count Sachio. thus smilingly ad- 1ured, could add nothing to the fund of information. He himself was left alone. If his own man had been the victim, so much the worse for the man himself. But these reflections caused him no satisfaction.
 We must be out of this now" he exclaimed angrily. and strode toward the door. He flung it open. almost in the face of the prefeet, who was hur- rying back to his demoralized asso- ciates in the administration of the law.
 The face of the prefect himself was red with chagrin as he now strode in at the open door.
 Gentlemen said he, facing Count Frederick, ''I have indeed received a message from the king. It is entirely in your favor"
 His majesty says, of course" be. 1 gan Count Sachio.
 The prefect frowned. and turned again to Count Frederick. His ma jesty says Count Frederick and the | young woman are to be set free at | once. They are to go where they like, in full possession of their liberty.
 "As for this nobleman"-and he !. turned to Count Sachio at last. "I am | in ct Fl, cf ad n cot b{p, fraa ol.n o,a |