The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-01-07

no Sent TWO OF MS OWN mOU--One OF
them Bartel, the spy. who had been
established here 80 long-by way Of
a rear stairway to find Kitty's room
and report to him what they learned.
He stood for some time making 20
lite speeches with the desk men and
the porters, asking fer certain infor.
nation as to routes and distances, but
all the time burning with Impotence
that he heard no report from his mes
sengers. AS he stood, there came
news OF DEMONSTRATING news enough
There came shrieking down the stairs,
incoherent, babbllng, q maid who
called out to the clerk, or to any who
would hear her!
"A man." she cried-"A man-killed
In her room-the young American }
communicable is murder, tell
you!"
The officials OF the hotel took
prompt action.
Close all the DOORS" ordered the
porter Clear the corridors at once,
in the kings name. Apprehend the
murderer whoever 1t may be. Have
the gendarmes come at once. You,
boy-run say"
1t was hue and cry once more, and
Sachio was glad enough that his own
abb was plain, for he knew not what
now might happen. One Of his men
rejoined him-the spy Bartel. The
other remained behind-his fate un.
known as yet.
AS for Kitty. she was at this mo.
ment once more away from her hotel
and once more in the stately palace
OF Count Frederick.
She entered softly, leaving Roleau
as usual somewhat remote, to guard
against any sudden intrusion. Once
more she cast about a searching gaze
upon the details of the place. All its
disorder had been removed. Spick
and span in military neatness the
apartment lay before her.
Upon the dresser, In full view,
openly displayed. was a picture in a
little frame-a frame of silver set in
brilliant gems. She looked at It sud,
denly-it was the portrait Of herself
which once had stood on her own
dressing table in her hotel Now it
was here. Why? Kitty felt strange
flush come to her face.
Something now arrested her-she
paused, reluctant to resume a search
which ever had been distasteful to
her. No, she would not touch a thing
had he not done as much for her
had he not been more respectful than
herself of anothers privacy? II he
had taken anything from her apart
ments ittwas but-this. And appa-
rently he had cherished 1t.
But there lay, just at the foot OF the
little portrait. an object which caught
her eye. 1t was the half coin Of
Gretzhoffen
Yes, here 1t was in full view. open
ly displayed, that any might see it
who liked, who CHANGED to be there.
Apparently Count Frederick felt that
all pursuit Of the coin had ended-that
no longer could any intruder gain &C.
cess to his palace,
Kitty hesitated for moment The
appeal OF the coin came to her once
more. She took 1t up, held 1t in her
hand, gazed at it-and once more. as
so often had been the case-she found
herself surprised at the very moment
of her success.
She heard Count Frederick's quiet
footsteps, his calm voice behind her.
"Mademoiselle, again!"
The count stood there regarding
her.
Evidently, mademoiselle, you did
not realize that these repeated visits
rendered necessary the installation Of
an electric system of my own devils
ing-you see, knew of your presence,
and as you see, have come. You
rang. or what service can be,
mademoiselle?"
Leave me alone" painted Kitty, her
face hot, tears almost in her eyes. Il
hate you! hate you!"
81 grieve at that, mademoiselle,"
said Count Frederick evenly. 81 wish
could say the same of you-but
cannot With every reason to distrust
you'll cannot. Continually we cross
swords, do we not? And you were
easy to deceive this time. See-you
are trapped as simply as bird which
steps into its cage without hesitation
"Will you not give me back my coin,
mademoiselle? Will you not add 1t to
the other? Will you not assist me in
reading the message Of the coin, so
that we may make an end Of all this
so that we may not continually croES
swords with one another?"
In answer Kitty darted past him.
found her way into the hall, ran abe
knew not where. Before her lay
little narrow stairway, and she sprang
up 1t. hoping to find egress some
where. Alas the door that closed the
head of the stair was locked She
heard his low laugh as an iron grille
snapped across the opening. cutting
of escape.
won't you give 1t me now-my