The Red Cloud chief., 1916-04-27
CHAPTER XXI.
Again In Gretzhoffen.

00o's y"
Pursuit? Kitty laughed at the
thought as she felt under her the
strong pulse Of the great machine.
She had taken the drivers seat, and
as h a was of left.hand drive, for
the time she had no opportunity to
look Into the tonneau. had she liked.
Listening to the swift purr of the
smooth motor, she did not at first
hear the sound OF a chuckling laugh
back OF her In the cara chuckle
which at length broke out into Q
hearty gust of laughter.
She turned her eyes swiftly at risk
OF capsizing the car-and found her.
self gazing directly into the face of
the man whom of all others she would
most have preferred to see.
Even now he came crawling across
the top Of the seat to join her in the
front Of the car.
"Roleau!" she exclaimed, is 1t in.
deed you? Are you always to be the
deus ex machina in all my difficulties
literally you are that now"
II do not know what you mean by
that, excellency," said Roleau, as he
took the steering wheel from her, but
l have been in this machine for some
time. l was satisfied that did you es.
cape from the palace you would need
a means OF getting away. All | need.
ed to do was to wait patiently. So you
have come. AS soon as l could make
my own escape l secured this cara
good one-and l followed. 1t was very
simple. as you see."
AT least a near squeak this time,
Roleau,' said Kitty. They never
meant for me to escape"
"They do not mean it now, excel.
lency," said Roleau, nodding behind
him. where he knew pursuit even now
was beginning. II will drive now as
/ have never driven before. 'Tis a
sweet engine, and it rides well. They
will drive fast who follow U.s."
All of which a so literally true
that before long the desert miles once
more had sped beneath them and Kit
ty found herself again in the city
she was more than ever disposed to
call her home. They found entrance
to the Ritz hotel at the rear door, in
view OF their own travel.stained con.
dition.
"Excellency," said the grieved and
panied clerk, when at length she made
her way to the desk, Il was on the
point Of removing your belongings and
making other arrangements for your
apartments"
by what right" demanded Kitty.
They are paid for in advance-why
should they not be ready for me when
l Gomez"
But we did not hear when you
would return"
There are many things one does
not hear-perhaps you may hear very
little Of my own business and my
plans. ! pay for service here. Please
care for me, therefore, and my man
we both are tired"
"You have been inquired for In your
absence, excellency. The Count Fred.
erick of Gretzhoffen-'
Indeed, and what could he want?"
"He has been here twice, exceilency.
but yesterday he came the last time.
He said he came on message OF the
king-which gave me warrant for what
he asked"
And what was that"
Access to your apartments. He
said 1t was the command Of the king"
"And you dared give him such &C
cess?"
1--WE dared not do less. excellency.
He was most courteous in one way
asked many questions regarding your.
self; but as to search Of your apart.
ments he made none, or next to none.
He seemed to care for nothing hat he
saw. save n little picture, a portrait
Kitty remained but briefly in her
own rooms. She took a swift glance
about. Everything seemed in place,
much as she had left tho search ap-
parently had been made of any Of the
cabinet, or drawers. There had been
a little picture-one of herself-left
on the dressing table. 1t was gone!
She missed nothing else.