The Raymer enterprise., 1916-06-15
CHAPTER LxxvIl.
The RECKONING.

The Reckoning.
Now" said Count Frederick to Kit.
ty when at length they had reached
the upper portion Of the palace, we
must advance to what remains yet
to be done. The ministers must be
summoned. The writs must issue for
the attendance Of the parliament. 'Tis
long. since one has been convened.
Michael the king-he alone has been
our government-andw what a govern.
ment!"
They were now passing toward the
central portion of the palace, having
ascended from the vaults below. Alb
sorbed-intent-Count Frederick, at
least, was inattentive to aught else
save the presence Of the woman at
his side. But now she plucked his
sleeve.
'Listen!" said she. and laid a finger
on her lips.
At her signal. Count Frederick soft
ened his footsteps and walked with
her stealthily. The sound OF the
voices engaged in whispered CONVEX
sation came now to his ears. Sud-
denly he stepped forward, convinced.
flung open door of the main hall.
and passed within unannounced. II
was no time for formalities in Gretz-
hoffen palace now.
80" said he. you are here again.
What. Sachio, you honor US yet by an
other visit? That is most kind Of
you! You. Grahame. you, my former
bodyguard-here with this arch trai-
tor. this liar. this treacherous snake!"
They stood. surprised as yet with
out plan for their defense.
"Ho. there!-the guard-the guard u
cried Count Frederick, stepping back
to the door.
But to his call there came NO
footsteps Of the guard. Instead.
ODE man came -Holeau, who for the
past few moments had been In search
Of the two men. He hastened past
Kitty as she stood, thrust himself into
the room. and with Count Frederick,
faced the trapped men who stood be-
fore them.
Count Sachio, with snarl Of rage
sprang forward at his foe, and Roleau,
with a quick motion flung himself be.
tweSn. He felt the iron hand Of his
master on his shoulder.
Leave him to me, Roleau! Take
care Of the other man."
The two noblsmen faced one an
other calmly now. Not so with Ro-
leau. On the instant, he flung him.
self upon the man accosted as Ora.
hame. The struggle was unequal and
under Roleau's powerful grasp the
intruder soon was helpless.
WE'LL" said Count Frederick; "Sa-
chic. how shall 1t be? Shall l choke
you with my hands?"
The man whom he accosted was
one not easily dismayed. He greeted
these words with a smile which
showed his white teeth. His own
fighting blood was up. and fear was
thing he did not know.
Suddenly his eye, rapidly glancing
about the room. caught sight of a
trophy of arms hung across the room.
From 1t he caught down two swords.
Bowing. he handed both. hilt forward.
to Count Frederick. AT your service.
monsieur" he said.
On guard" said Count Fred
erick.
Lightly, gracefully, gently, the tips
Of the two blades met, shivered a
trifie. each feeling Of the other, scarce
more than q hairs breadth from its
course.
The Icy eye Of Count Frederick.
cold, merciless, looked into the dark
and smiling face Of Sachio.
Il am going to kill you now" said
Count Frederick. "Shall 1t be soon?'
The answer Of Sachio was more
than . smile. Fercely he whipped
free his blade. His knuckles up, his
blade shot forward in long and dead
y lunge.
Suddenly the Jaw Of Count Fred
erick shut the tighter. None could
have said that he had seen what en-
sued. In some fashion, the blade OF
the nobleman OF Gretzhoffen went out,
vibrating. catching in its grip the
blade opposed to 1t. There was q
wrench, a twist. The weapon OF
Count Sachio was torn from his hands,
he stood unarmed. He stood one half
moment before he felt, Kissing hot
through all his body, the point Of his
antagonist.
Count Frederick turned, not wait.
ing to see his foe sink down, for he
knew the work was done. He ad-
vanced half q pace to the man Gra-
hame, covering In the corner before
Roleau. Him he smote across the
cheek with the bloody blade. and said:
You coward and traitor. you shall 90
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