The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-02-11

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.
"Roleau," she said to him when they
met. "listen. We have still more to
do. There is still another journey
across the desert"
"Whither. excellenza?" inquired
Roleau.
"To the hunting lodge Of the Count
Sachio-the same place where you and
I took the part of two horse thieves,
Roleau!"
A few moments later the two, once
more provided with a speedy motor
car, were On their way down the ave-
nues of the capital.
81 think it might be well to drive
past the two palaces" said Kitty Gray.
eve 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.
Don't let them see me-" She motioned
also to Roleau to conceal himself as
best he might. Their own car, swing
ing around the corner, gave way for
the vehicle Of Count Frederick, which
sped On down the street
Once more, still undaunted, 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; for now, as they
passed at lower speed, in order to have
time for such examination as they
cared to make Of the exterior, they
saw a man in some sort of official uni
form walking from the front down the
driveway for the side entrance Of the
great building.
"Stop!" cried Kitty to Roleau-'I
know that man-that is friend OF
Sachio! I saw the two Of them to-
gether last night. 1t was to him Sachio
showed the coin. I 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
stolid Roleau. Count Sachio also
means TO put this and that together,
does he not? What can we do? Is
your excellency game to try one more
entrance into Count Frederick's
house?"
eyes," said Kitty. "Come-let us see
if we can trace where this man Is
going"
Once more these two presented
themselves at the door Of Count Fred
erick's abode, and were admitted with
out 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-
pecting 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
one in the room who ha> 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 throat, and held
him until he himself made the sign
of submission. "Silence!" Kissed Ro-
leau. Don't move-one word Of
alarm and I will end you'll"
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
for him, refused to speak. well,
whatever it was" said he at length,
'T have not found it. At least, you
came too SOON"
81 will tell you, excellenza," said Ro-
Ieau at length. at will do US no spe-
cial good to have him join yonder
party Of which we know. I will tie
Elm up, II your excellency will allow
ma" /.