The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-02-10
Eighteenth INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIV.
Sachio and Michael


mooted lands still faced one anothe
IN conflict as yet undecided. Whic
were deeper in duplicity it had bee
difficult to say, but as to which SUI
passed in active measures no doub
at all remained. Count Sachio, rest
less and energetic, already was takin,
further steps to enforce his own will
and that Of his sovereign upon tn
weaker mind which purported to gov
ern at Gretzhoffen.
1t was as SachiO had prophesied-
the sloth of Michael left him open tt
any proposition which came couchet
In fair words and which offered NJ
disturbing changes in his own per
sonal plans. He acceded readily
enough to the proposals of the Ora
hoffen courtier to lengthen the arms
t1ce between the two warning coun
tries with view to formal and final
peace. Readily enough also he admit
ted into his own household the arch
plotter of the forces of his hereditary
enemy.
Unopposed, indeed invited, Sachio
made his way much as he liked
throughout the Gretzhoffen palace,
with whose interior he already was
more or less familiar. 1t was his plan
in case Of any challenge to refer to
the royal ruler who was his host
He paid special attention to that
apartment where he had found the
partially destroyed original script
whose missing half he sought. Here,
mInutely, patiently, like hound rum
ming a difficult trail, he went over the
place inch by inch, seeking to find
some trace which would lead him to
his quarry.
But success did not attend his eff
forts, though these he prosecuted even
in those portions of the palace where
so recently he and his troops had
faced death when the levels were food
ed by waters turned in from the castle
moats. He was willing to despair, and
in fact had turned away with the in
tention of giving up the. search, when
he met suboff1cer of the guard who
proved difficult to handle in his usual
easy fashion.
Halt! Who goes there?" chal-
lenged this guard as he saw Sachio
emerge from one of the lower cham
bers.
"a friend!" rejoined Sachio prompt
ly, in military formula.
Advance, friend, and give the coun-
tersign!" came the gruff command.
"The countersign?" said Sachio.
'Ah, we'll, my friend, now that think
of it, have not had it given to me.
Twas my own neglect. But / am a
friend of the hng-'twas he who gave |
NE permission to explore these por-
ions of the palace. I was curious to |
see the operations of this system of |
lefense by water-it was something |
lew to me-
THAT is all very WELL" rejoined the
soldier, "but explanations of that sort
ire scarcely good enough"
"Take me, then, to the king him.
elf," said Sachio.
Why should I?' rejoined the other.
What business is it of yours to know
bout the lower levels of our palace?
These are ticklish times, and there
lave been such things as SPIES
"Spies!" exclaimed Sachio, virtuous-
y. Il, a spy-is that what you mean,
elbow? If so, command you to car
Y me forthwith to the presence of the
ing himself. He knows me we'll, and
on should have a care not to offend
ne who is under the kings protec-
iOn''
The sheer audacity of this intruder
ad it's effect, even upon the blunt sol
Ter who had accosted him. Sachio |
as indeed taken to the presence of
Iichael, and there his bold prediction ]
roved true-Michael reprfmanded
ublicly the officer who had done his {
uty, and showed his public favor to s
lie man who was indeed a spy, al
lOugh not suspected of being one.
What, fellow" exclaimed the king
} the soldier, when Sachio had made t
is OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES do you mean
Y offering indignity to our friend and t
lture ally in this fashion? Away b
18th you, and do you report at the n
lardhOuse under arrest. Your trial p
lall come later 6
My dear Sachio," resumed Michael,
7ou see how prompt we are with our f;
of our friends? Do not take fl
i'll of us that one of our underlings tt
Is done what his superior officers r
his sovereign would never, think OF b
We trust you will &C o.
pit this disclaimer tt
1t was nothing, your majesty" re- b.
led the willy statesman, "and l as W
re your majesty the incident shall p'