The Raymer enterprise., 1916-01-27
SECOND INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER vi.

bending upon him q steady gaze.
who are you" asked she. "Why
did you follow me?"
The swathed figure suddenly
Strengthened. Whatever am-what-
ever ycs may think me, do not believe
me incapable OF gratitude to yourself"
What is your nameg
They call me Roleau, made.
moIselle."
Kitty Gray turned yet more closely
to him. gazed straight into his eyes.
Then why not enlist with me?
Surely we have common cause. We
have common enemy. Would It be
wrong did you and | league against
him."
You ask me. then"
ITO be my friend. my ally"
Surely l owe him no allegiance
further!" exclaimed Roleau bitterly.
"lie struck me like dog"
Yet you and must see him again
and soon"
What! Would you trust yourself
once more In his presence? You are
an American girl-you are innocent,
you are ignorant ! warn you"
None the less. II am to go forward
with the business which brought me
here to Gretzhoffen. surely must
once more meet the Count Frederick.
The man at her side hesltated no
more than an instant Very well,"
said he calmly. "As for me. my life
has been forfeit many a time before
now. What matter? will go with
you as you say. Indeed | fancy
know why you ask me to go-they
know me at the palace-they will ad-
NIT US both"
II was as Roleau had said. When
finally the two drew up to the court
driveway In front OF the counts pal.
ace, they were admitted without ques-
tion Roleau closed the door behind
him and put finger to his lips for
silence.
"They will listen" he whispered
BE careful. This is the room where
Count Frederick receives his
friends"
Curiously. silently, Kitty sat or at
times walked about the room. taking
stock OF the surroundings. Count
Frederick entered.
"Mademoiselle, am charmed, So
you remember me?"
You may say as much indeed" re-
Joined Kitty Gray calmly II saw you
In the carriage this morning"
He turned now to Roleau, with no
change In his countenance to Indicate
any recollection of the nature OF their
last meeting. "You may retire to the
next room" said he, dlsmissing him
with wave Of the hand.
DO not In the least misunderstood
me, Monsieur le Comte." said she
lightly. My business Is very simple
have a proposition to make to you
business proposition"
But ! am not o business man."
Knocked the smiling antagonist who
faced her. He came yet half step
closer.
Are YOU so sure'" exclaimed she
suddenly. rs there no business In
which also am definitely concerned? ?
Then why did you send a messenger
to follow me In my own country, to
ransaek my apartments there, to vio-
late my privacy even on the steamer"
My man served me but ill-if I
may admit part OF what you say
mademoiselle."
That is why am here-and In his
company Yes. ] know your messen-
ger as ! know you. Come, let us rea-
son together over this Monsieur lie
Comte. Shall 1t be business or war
between u.s."
The sheer audacity OF this speech
Tor one moment daunted Count Fred.
srick. The next he broke into a roar
at laughter and flung himself into a
chair. "Admirablel" said he.
She started away from him, moving
toward the door. Il came. Monsieur
le Comte.' said she boldly, "to ask
you what price for the half coin which
you seek to hold. Suppose, for in
stance. that Gretzhofen loan were
executed for you finally in New York
would that influence you at all?
Come now, let US reason"
Il am beyond reason; I care little
for the sordid side. value not SO
much money - what money brings.
1t could bring me no more than what
fortune has brought me at no cost,
this moruing-this very hour"
"Roleau!" cried Kitty suddenly. "A
moi! Au secours! vite!"
"You waste BREATH" laughed Count
Frederick. He cannot Gomez
Kitty made one swift dart toward
iAe door. She was too late. The
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