The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-05-26

own. 1t is Tie evil spnt or our own
kingdom, that will be sworn
GUT" said Count Sachio, after
time, "the end never is till all is done.
True, re have failed at arms, your
majesty, but after all, that does not
affect the existence Of the Gretzhcffe-
there along the water front, giving
this order and that.
'In the kings name!" one man
cried.
It was, indeed, in the kings name,
for now, shallow though was his dis
guise, none less than Cortislaw had
joined Sachio in this last pursuit of
the evasive coins. Hurried inquiry
had convinced Sachio that Roleau had
made his escape in this direction.
AS for Cortislaw. he ragged.
"It is nothing, your majesty" re-
joined the dauntless Count Sachio.
"All is not ended till all is done. We
shall not let them evade us. Come,
we have craft of our own. Here are
some Of our fast boats. Would your
majesty dare the subnarine?'
IT dare anything that another man
dare" rejoined Cortislaw savagely.
''Quick, then-order the first boat
ready"
Now in truth the nobleman and his
sovereign were to embark in a novel
undertaking. The long, slim fish
nosed craft, with its upright peri
scope, received them. They heard the
hatch closed firm above them, heard
the singing of the air pumps and saw
the gray opaque wall of the water, not
below them, but around them, above
them, as at length the craft, obedient
to the command of it's officer, slid out
from its slip into the harbor and head
ed forward after what had been
pointed out to il as it's prey.
Part Of the time submerged, most Of
| the time just breaking the surface with
the deck, they sped on.
When at length, with matches open
and access given to the deck, they
sped on, unsubmerged, close upon
their quarry, none Of them at first
heard the curious hunming which
came on from the rear, none for the
| IuOMSAC w tHS vast shape WHICH Gp-
preached from behind them and above,
treasure. I myself have been in that
room. have been beneath the walls
Il know the very place where that
secret is concealed. Look, we have
all the coin-and even if this half is
counterfeit, their half, the true half
O hn f1or 1,o1f
They cannot read the riddle of their
own treasure, and yet we know it!
Who, then, has won this battle?
Riches are needful for any king With
out the secret which we ourselves
hold, what may they hope? No, not
all is yet lost, your majesty"
The old king turned upon him his
burning eye. Count Sachio,' saio
he, you have disappointed me time
and again regarding yonder coin; yet
after all, of all my noblemen, you
have been the most successful, fol
surely you brought to US the secret
That is true. At one time we had al
the coin. Long we have had half the
coin. Today we held it all in our pos
session, and we still hold it. Bring
me the coin. I want to examine botl
halves once more with my own eyes
1T is we'll, your majesty. l will gc
get both halves, we will compare
them
Count Sachio fastened to the room
where on his return from the battle
field he had changed his dusty apparel
His tunic and trousers lay where he
had left them. Evidently his orderl,
had fled.
Count Sachio took up the trouser.
and thrust hand into a pocket. h
knew where he had kept the coin, il
his little leather folding portemon
maize. But he withdrew his hand an(
looked at it curiously. The blank lool
on his face remained as he felt quick
~ in other pockets of the same gar
ment, as he searched nervously
through every pocket of the tuni,
which he had discarded.
When Count Sachio returned to hi
king he was in deep pallor; conster
; nation sat on his face.
WELL well, Sachio!" demanded tina
monarch, testify, you have on you
face now the same look which 1 hav,
learned to know. But surely you hay,
not failed. Come, let me see it,"
+ Il cannot, your majesty. It il
gone!"
, Gone? Yet you had it?'
Eyes, your majesty. Both halves
had them both. You yourself CAV,
, them in my keeping on the field.
, was responsible for them, that is true
, But, see here where 1 hid them-ev
erything is empty now They hav,
> been taken away by someone. AM
who could have known of it?''
silence fell upon the group.
? ''Stay!" added Sackio a little later
1 there was a man, a prisoner, VIII,
/, was brought to me just before our re
treat began-the man named Roleau.
Find that mani" said CortislaW
: coldly, returning a savage eye upol
Sachio.
The prisoners taken by the Grahot
, fen men, more by chance than pla1
In their own tempestuous retreat
, mad been grouped under loose guar,
IN the rear compound of the Grahoffe]