Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-07-27

eyes opened, lOokCd into MS. Wnat
she saw bending over her was the face
of her enemy.
"Who is III" she cried. Loose me
leave me! Where am I"
She caught her hands to her face
now as there came to her once more
the terror Of what she had cen She
dared not look about her. Take me
away!" she moaned. take me
away!"
He made NO answer for q time.
"Why have you followed me here?"
she demanded at last, half hysteri'
cally.
He spoke now, slowly, almost SOL
EMMY.
WHY" said he. II do not know
why. ! think 1t must have been be-
cause you were in trouble. Perhaps
you called me-perhaps that is why
came"
What do you mean! Would you
taunt me now, at such a time? l
have been frightened almost to the
point of death-it was terrible"
Come said Count Frederick, and
placed about her an arm on whose
strength, in spite of herself. she was
glad to lean.
He was guiding her toward the door.
She turned and saw again that which
but now had smitten her with terror.
Her nerves. weakened by tho long
strain upon them. gave way once
more. -
The flare Of the candle lighted up
the ~cavernous interior at whose en-.
trance they stood. Count Frederick
saw what she had see
On the walls stood out hooks, steel
arms which supported eyeless. grin
ming skulls-old-how old no n
could tell. Beyond arose rods and
gratings, barbed, pointed. curved. An
iron chair was in q corner, and In 1t
sat q grinning skeleton.
It was the torture chamber. the
room of terrors. born of other years
more savage than these, and brought
down unchanged through all the cen.
turtles! j..
Come" said Count Frederick, his
own voice agitated. 1T is no time
to think of any treasure now, but you
YOURSELF"
He caught her away swiftly into the
other passage, and flung the door shut
behind them. In silence he led her
along the su~bterranean passage and
up the stairs.
He left her ono more alone in her
own room, to compose herself as best
she might, while he went on to rejoin
the king.
so, then, you found her, faithful
messenger" demanded Michael.
Eyes. your majesty, at length. She
was but strolling about to pass the
time during your absence. While l
know little of such matters, it seems
to me that the trials Of the day have
been extreme for her"
King Michael ended by asking the
attendance of the young woman her
self; but it was just at this juncture
that there arrived at the palace none
less than the project Of police, who
made suppliance through several court
official for admittance to audience
with royalty.
HE says" ventured the last cham
berlain, that he comes regarding the
murder at the Ritz .hotel, in which
your majesty was graciously pleased
to be interested"
Eyes, yes-my dear Count Fred
erick, it vas absurd that you should
be mixed in that-or the young Amer
ican-I have not had time to think OF
it since then. What is all this now?
Bring the man in"
And so presently the project,
abashed and much p%erturbed, was ad-
mitted.
We'll, WE'LL" demanded the mon
arch. what is it-why do you come
here?"
For only n reason, your mai
esty." began the project humbly.
1--WE are convinced that there is more
than chance medley in this murder.
The thing goes deeper than we
thought at first"
Have you no suspect"
Zone, your majesty, a person of no
importance, by name Roleau."
How now, count?" Michael turned
to the nobleman who still stood near
What think you of this matter?"
Count Frederick considered for a
moment before he replied.
| 1894 Ito, Proo,p aolJ ho-o& 1o~0kh
"Watch him. He will lead US to some
thing perhaps. Be sure that once he
Is loose he will not be at rest for
long"
An excellent idea," said Michael.
Michael turned now to the matters
| closer to his heart-the welfare Of the
| young American, whom he had not
seen since his return to the palace.
| Even now she waited for admission to
his presence, and he had her sum-
moned at once.
what! mademoiselle," cried MI
chael, you are pale. You have not yet
fully recovered-you have been ill.,"
Eyes, your majesty" replied Kitty.
smiling somewhat wanly. He o no
ticed that the serving woman at her
side carried her wraps, and that she
herself appeared ready for the street.
What! you lea to leave us?' ex-
claimed he. What does this mean"
"Your majesty" said Kitty, gracious
ly allow me my absence for the time.
I must return to my hotel"
It was with deep relief that finally
Kitty found herself once more freed
Of the royal presence and the royal
palace. She sped, fast as might be,
back to her hotel.
Count Frederick excused himself but
q moment later. To the king he an
nounced his intention Of returning to