The Spectator., 1916-03-24

palace once ihore. As he had boasted,
 he knew this place as we'll as his own
 bedchamber. He rushed on through
 the wide hall, down the stairs to tho
 floor below, and back to the point
 whence led down the galleries of the
 cavern's floor under the castle itself.
 He smiled now grimly as he has
 tened. AS yet he was unhurt, and as
 yet he was unsuspected. Once more
 his sanguine soul lusted for success
 and counted on it.
 He met no opposition, heard mo-
 where in these portions of the palace
 any footfall or any voice. Thus for
 a moment or two he strode on-and
 then paused. frozen in his stride by
 that which confronted him. Sachio was sure that he had seen
 the last of the young American. He
 reasoned that in all likelihood Count | Frederick-of whose absence he knew quite well through his own secret
 agents-had joined her somewhere He knew of the wreck of the Prinx
 Adler. SachiO was clear in his own
 mind that these two enemies of his l VOaS oohSs hSVCA 06dIA u COulTOUB 1 him.
 l And yet now. as though spirits sum-
 moned by his own thoughts, they stood before him-both of them-the | tall nobleman and the slender, shrink ing girl leaning on his arm. Yes, fH was they! His enemies had arisen from the very grave to confront him.
 He paused irresolute, unnerved, not believing what he saw, and for tho time himself made no speech. What do you here. Sachio?" broke in the deep voice of his enemy, once his friend-a friend once too often | betrayed
 T came by virtue of my sword" said Sachio; boldly now, seeing that he might not evade this issue. By virtue of your sword only shall you escape from here, Sachio," said Count Frederick. calmly. Stand back of me, mademoiselle, and give me reach"
 In a flash the swords of the two went out and joined in the encounter. Each was an excellent swordsman, and for a moment neither had advantage, The young girl screamed in terror at the sight. for she knew the redoubt. able reputation of Sachio as a swords man, and long ere this she had se- lected the one whom she desired to see victor in this or any encounter. But Count Frederick did not glance her way. His eye was still fixed on that of his opponent Only. softly. gently, he repeated to her, Stand back. mademoiselle. Give us room."
 Sachio was full of tricks. He had no wish to waste time here, and yet knew not how to pass the blade now opposing him. Suddenly he flung up his hand to his chest as though struck. hoping to find his foe of his guard for just an instant. It did not result so. The steady point of Count Fred erick lay gleaming before his breast ready to thrust. And for another req son was this subterfuge worse than a useless one for Sachio. As he caught his hand against his bosom there came from it's concealment in his pocket something metallic, which fell upon the floor. It rolled but briefly, TUT IL WAS uOl DltC6 metal. It was half coin.
 Upon this Kitty fell with sudden cry. She knew in a flash what was this bit of metal. She knew how Sachio must have prized it, and now how Sachio, in the luck of the game, had lost, and lost by his own hand. Agile as cat. the girl stopped. ran s, l. in her hand. And still the eyes of the two fighting men dared not turn her way. Sachio laughed, and tossed over his shoulder taunting word.
 Tt is worthless. mademoiselle." said -"counterfeit-'tis nothing
 Count Frederick said nothing. but he heard her words coming to him now from behind his shoulder. T have got them!" she exclaimed. both halves of the coin-they are ours-they are ours-I am going now come quick-as soon as you can" But the cold eye of Count Frederick never turned from the face of his ad- versary. He made no answer to these words. although he heard the sound of her footballs back of him as she fled down the hall toward the interior ot the caverns.
 Well. Sachio." said Count Fred erick, your trickery failed. Your at- tack has failed at every point. Fate fights against you. Sachio. You have lost the toss of the die. You have lost the coin."
 The strong wrist of the swarthy nobleman covered his breast with his extended steel. His eyes. bold even in this extremity. met that of his op- ponent. But Sachio knew the die in- deed was cast. He knew now that he had failed
 For one moment he edged on inch by inch. endeavoring to reach a point from which he might spring past Frederick. and so follow the fleeing girl down the passageway. But always the other edged inch by inch in front