The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-03-16

irI.
| might be by remaining at the hotel
until the return Of his mistress. BY
| morning, as soon as he got word Of her
| presence in her apartments, he sent
! word that he was in readiness to be at
her commands.
"Rcleau," she said to him when they
met, listen. We have still more to
do. There is still another journey
across the desert"
whittier, excellenza?" inquired
Roleau.
ITO the hunting lodge Of the Count
Sachio-the same place where you and
l took the part of two horse thieves,
Roleau!"
A few moments later the two, once
more provided with a speedy motor
nues Of the capital.
Il think it might be we'll to drive
past the two palaces, said Kitty Gray
I'VE might pick up some news there.
First, let us go to the palace of Count
Frederick perhaps he is not out this
early
But, early though it was Count Fred
erick was astir-was indeed ready for
the street apparently, as was also his
guest, Count Sachio. Even as Kitty's
car swept by the palace front they saw
the count and Sachio step into their
| own car, which waited for them.
Quick" said Kitty, sinking back
deeper In the seat that she might not
be observed. Drive around the block.
Dent let them see me-" She moticned
also to Roleau to conceal himself as
best he might. Their own car, swing
ing around the corner gave way for
the vehicle CT Count Frederick, which
| sped on down the street
Once more, still uadaunted, Kitty
directed her own car to pass around
the block and stop in front Of Count
Frederick's palace. This was done in
| the nick Of time; fer now, as they
passed at lower speed, in order to have
| the for such examination as they
| cared to make of the exterior they
| saw man in some sort Of official uni
form walking from the front down the
driveway fer the side entrance of the
great building
Stop" cried Kitty to Roleau-'1
know that man-that is a friend of
Sachio! I saw the two Of them to-
| gether last night. 1t was to him Sachio
showed the cCin. l heard him tell this
man where the missing half was
Roleau, that man has gone to get
Count Frederick's half Of the coin!"
certainly, excellenza," said the
stclld Roleau. Count Sachio also
| means to put this and that together,
| does he not? What can we do? Is
your excellelcy game to try one more
| entrance into Count Frederick's
house?"
Yes" said Kitty. "Come-let us see
| II we can trace where this man is
going"
Once more these two presented
themselves at the door of Count Fred
| erick's abcde, and were admitted with
cut question.
The two passed without detention
through the main hall to the passage
way which Kitty knew SO well. They
followed down this narrow hall, sus-
pectlng that the destination Of the man
whom they had seen about to enter
was none less than Count Frederick's
little bedchamber
Their suspicion was correct. Even
AS they approached they heard some
enc IN the room who had arrived be-
fore themselves. Roleau, followed
closely by Kitty, stepped up to the
door-peered in. and gave one mighty
bound
IN the powerful hands of Roleau, the
stranger, taken by surprise, was help
less. Roleau clapped hand over his
mouth, another to his threat, and held
him until he himself made the sign
CT submission. "Silence!" Kissed Ro-
leau. Don't move-one word of
alarm and l will end ycu!"
What are you doing here?" de-
manded Kitty virtuously- what do
you seek-tell mel"
The man, gone sullen now, looked
from one to the other, and knowing
well enough what failure would mean
Tor him, refused to speak well,
whatever it was" said he at length,
L have not found it. At least, you
came too soon."
L will tell you, excellenza," said Ro-
leau at length. cit will do US nc spe-
cial good to have him join yonder
party of which we know. will tie
him up, if your excellency will allow
me-"