The Spectator., 1916-01-04

sion possible. Certainly his mistress had not come out by the front hall, therefore she must have passed out by wonder window, which had offered exit to the intruders. The next mo- ment Roleau himself was through the same window and hurrying down the fire escape which he saw now gave ac- cess to the street. By the time the captain of the guard and his hurrying men were close on his track at the hotel desk, Roleau once more was free.
 The scene of action of all this was now but transferred from the rear to the front of the hotel, where, not experimenting the presence of others, the parties of this drama met with out plan. Count Frederick had halt ed, reluctant to leave the young girl in such a time of distress. Count Sachio, looking about him for some sign of the man who he knew had the coin he coveted. also stood ir- resolute at the curb. Kitty. pursuing the flying thief-and after her now Roleau-paused as they saw others ahead. It seemed to Roleau when he first caught sight of the excellency whom he served that she was wait ing for someone, holding back for some purpose of her own.
 The flying apache passed close to Count Sachio He halted at some quick word, some sudden sign which the nobleman gave to him. Roleau saw them converse for just moment saw Sachio pass money to the fly ing thief, and then motion him to speed on his way. Roleau saw Sachio look at his hand, hurriedly clasp it shut. and thrust 1t into hisspocket- saw him in turn beckon to his own man, Bartel, his late agent in certain of these affairs.
 This could indicate but one thing. Sachio had obtained possession of the coin. had transferred it to his mes senger And now they saw that mes senger hasten to the nearest motor car standing at the curb.
 Another car stood, as yet unoccu- pied. and toward this now started three persons-Count Frederick, Kitty Gray and Roleau, the idea of pursuit being foremost in the mind of each of these three. But Kitty Gray, re- joiced at finding her servant once more at her side-for now Roleau had hastened forward-was of no mind to take any other ally into her own plans. Even as the agent of Count Sachio sprang into the car, they rushed swiftly to that approached by Count Frederick, and with more force than politeness pushed that gentle man aside, sprang In, and made such argument to the driver of the car that he was off at speed within the next moment.
 Quick. Roleau!" called Kitty Gray. Make him drive-that man Is Bartel, the partner of Count Sachio. He is bound for the train-he has the coin, l am sure. and he means to take it to the kingdom of Grahoffen. Once there, 1t is lost to us. Quick, he must not beat us to the train,"
 So rapidly had these events oc- cured that she scarcely had time for thought.
 Tn two hours. or three at most if that man catches the train-the coin will be in Cortislaw's hands, and out of our reach forever. Drive. Ro- leau-make him drive!"
 Therefore. what Count Frederick, left alone in the street, was forced to see was the spectacle of those two hurrying vehicles leaving him to his own devices. He looked about him hurriedly for some means of locomo- tion of his own, and his gaze fell upon a horse standing at the curb. In default of better means. he sprang to the saddle, and himself was on in such pursuit as he could compass
 Bartel. the Gretzhoffen agent, was in no mood to delay. He urged his own car hard. and hastened toward the station of the little railway which, as Kitty and Roleau both knew, led to Grahoffen around the northern ex- tremity of the neutral strip. close in under the shoulders of the little | mountains.
 There stood in the station now, at- | tached to the fuming engine. a mixed 1 train. partly mode of coaches, partly | of flats, apparently ready to depart. | Bartel approached the guard rapidly. | What he said no one heard. but an instant later the guard had received from Bartel . telegram. had trans ferred it to the station agent. and himself was blowing the signal for the starting of the train-perhaps some minutes bsforo the regular |