Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-03-03
EIGHTEENTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIV,
Sachlo and Michael.

In conflict as yet undecided Which
were deeper in duplicity 1t had been
difficult to say, but as to which sur.
passed In active measures no doubt
at all remained. Count Sachio, rest.
less and energetic, already was taking
further steps to enforce his own will
and that of his sovereign upon the
weaker mind which purported to gov.
ern at Gretzhoffen.
1t was as Sachio had prophesiol--.
the sloth Of Michael left him open to
any proposition which cane couched
In fair words and which offered no
disturbing changes in his own per.
soral plans. He acceded readily
enough to the proposals Of the Ora.
hoffen courtier to lengthen the arms.
tice 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 Gretzhofien 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.
infinitely. patiently, like hound run,
ming 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
meats. He was willing to despair, and
in fact had turned away with the in.
tention of giving up the search, when
he met subofiicer Of the guard who
proved difficult to handle Ill his usual
easy fashion.
Halt! Who goes there?" chal.
lenged this guard 9s he saw Sachic
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, well, my friend, now that | think
of 1t, have not had 1t given to me.
Twas my own neglect But | am
friend of the king-'twas he who gave
me permission to explore these por'
tions of the palace. | was curious to
see the operations of this system Of
defense by water-it was something
new to me-"
That is all very well" retolned the
soldier. but explanations Of that sort
are scarcely good enough"
"Take me. then, to the king him
SELF" said Sachio.
why should ?" rejoIned the other.
What business is 1t of yours to know
about tho lower levels Of our palace?
These are ticklish times, and there
have been such things as SPIES
"Spies!" exclaimed Sachio, virtuous'
ly. Il. a spy-is that what you noan,
fellow? If so, command you to car
ry me forthwith to the presence of tho
king himself. He knows me well, and
you should have a care not to offend
one who ia under the kings protec-
ton"
The sheer audaclty Of this intruder
had its effect, even upon the blunt sol
iier who had accosted him. Sachio
was indeed taken to the presence Of
Michael, and there his bold prediction
proved true-Nilchael rcpriEanGel .
publicly the officer Who had done his .
luty, and showed bis public favor to .
he man who was indeed q spy, al |
though not suspected Of being one
What, fellow" exclaimed the King
TO the soldier, when Saghio had mado
his explanations do you moan /
by offering indignity 10 our friend and
future ally in this fashion? Away
with you, and do you report at tho
suardhouse under arrest. Your t.ial
shall como later
my dear Sachlo,' resumed Michael,
you see how prompt We are with our
protection of our friends? Do not take
I Ill of US that one of our underings
I as done what his superior officers
n his sovereign would never think Of
ountenancine. We trust you will &C.
ept this disclaimer"
ut was nothing, your majesty" re-
lied the WHY statesman. and | as
nre your majesty the incident shall
not linger In my memory May we
perhaps venture to drown in bumper
to your majesty's good health all
thought of this misunderstanding?
will drink to the health OF Michael
and the prosperity Of his kingdom"
Quite agreeable" exclaimed MI,
chael; "and let US follow that with an.
other to the final and peaceful conclr.
sion of that unhappy mtsunderstand-
ing which has heretofore divided
these two kingdoms" y
They drank. The befuddled friends
Of Michael joined them in hilarity IT
not intelligent, at least vociferous.
But. my good Sachio." resumed
after Q. time. let. me ash. you