The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-02-18


their den for stolen goods--yes, ysA,
know. But dare you go with me7''
II must dare it." said Kitty firmly.
Perhaps my friends will follow me-
do not know-but even If not, you
and I must get back what he has sto-
len from me-"
"And what was 1t, excellency?"
mo more than broken bit Of coin.
captain, Of value to none as it is now,
Of great value to me provided I can
attain 1t and the other half"
"You need say not more. The err
rand is enough to interest me-oe-
cause now I shall have that fellow
| Blake where have longed to find MIN.
He shall not ride with us again. But
come" he added.
They found their way through the
| darkening streets in the purlieus of
Gretzhoffen town. Under the leader
ship of the chieftain they threaded
street after street, alley after alley.
| until at length their party descended
! into steep gully in a less important
portion of the city. A faint light
showed through the chinks Of wall
which seemed to be the facing Of a
bank, but which really concealed some
sort Of den within.
"Yonder. excellency," whispered
Landozi, SIS the place where they hole
up-like rats in sewer-and they
have no more principles-they are
worthy Of no more. Come, my men,
close in"
He pushed against the door round
which shone the CLEANS of light, and
fastened into a sort of passageway.
Their entry attracted no attention for
| the time.
Only two Of the gang remained, the
others having departed on one errand
| or other of their own. When Kitty
| and her companion looked through the
little window, which gave in upon the
recess under the bluff, they saw sit
ting close to the table two men
Blake, the renegade, and another of
| his band. The keen eye Of Kitty de-
tected Blakes hand lying upon the
| table-and near it the object which
she sought-the missing coin!
"Quick," whispered Landozi, and as
he spoke he broke into the room.
Without hesitation he flung himself
| upon Blake, and Kitty, wishing to be
Of service, and finding no better
means, caught up an empty bottle
| which stood near and dealt so inter
| esting blow upon the head of the
remaining ruffian as to put him out Of
| the combat for the time. An instant
| later she had caught from the table
| the coveted coin.
LET him go, Landozi quick!
Come! / have got it," she exclaimed
And an instant later she was IL the
| passageway once more.
| She had almost made her way out
| into the open, when in the semidark-
ness she felt strong hand clutch at
her wrist-heard a low laugh at her
ear.
| "Roleau!" she cried aloud.
| mo, not Roleau," said a voice she
knew we'll enough--the voice of the
| Count Frederick.
$50, you have it! Very well, cling
| to it, then-~but don't drop it. To pre-
vent that will even hold your hand
| in mine"
"You brute!" exclaimed Kitty, sob
bling now in the intensity of her emo
tions-"after all I have done to get
it-and it is mine!"
why argue it, my dear young
lady?" exclaimed Count Frederick. Il
have told you must have 1t. regret
as much as you that / must disturb
YOU"
Release me-let me go!"
Painting, she looked up at him in the
half light. What she saw was face
grim and full of purpose--a face which
1t seemed to her she would always
hate-but in which at least there was
no trace of any fear.
Come" he said, and flung an arm
about her waist as he stepped toward
the open. Let Roleau fend for him
self am satisfied with what have
now"
An instant later he halted. From
what sounds he heard at the rear, he
knew escape was cut off there. And
now crowding in at the entrance Of
the main gallery in which they stood.
there came yet others OF the thieves
band, barring exit there as well. ]
Count Frederick, shielding Kitty,
stood at bay.