The Spectator., 1916-01-18

one StlTreQ under ms IOucn acI eyes opened. looked into his. What she saw bending over her was the face of her enemy. "Who Is it?" she cried. Loose me leave me! Where am r." She caught her hands to her face now as there came to her once more the terror of what she had seen. She dared not look about her. Take me away!" she moaned. Take me away!"
 | He made no answer for a time. "Why have you followed me here?" she demanded at last, half hysteri- cally.
 He spoke now, slowly, almost sol l emnly.
 Why" said he. "T do not know why. think it must have been be- cause you were in trouble. Perhaps | you called me-perhaps that Is why l | came"
 What do you mean? Would you 1 taunt me now, at such a time? | have been frightened almost to the point of death-it was terrible Come" said Count Frederick, and placed about her an arm on whose strength, in spite of herself, she was glad to lean.
 He was guiding her toward the door. She turned and saw again that which but now had smitten her with terror. Her nerves, weakened by the long strain upon them, gave way once more.
 The flare of the candle lighted up the cavernous interior at whose en- trance they stood Count Frederick saw what she had seen.
 On the walls stood out hooks, steel arms which supported eyeless, grin ming skulls-old-how old no one could tell. Beyond arose rods and gratings. barbed, pointed, curved. An iron chair was in corner, and in it sat grinning skeleton.
 It was the torture chamber, the room of terrors, born of other years more savage than these, and brought down unchanged through all the cen turies
 Come" said Count Frederick, his own voice agitated. ''It Is no time to think of any treasure now, but you -yourself,"
 | He caught her away swiftly into the other passage, and flung the door shut behind them In silence he led her along the subterranean passage and up the stairs.
 He left her once more alone in her own room, to compose herself as best she might, while he went on to rejoin the king
 "So. then, you found her. faithful messenger" demanded Michael.
 'Yes, your majesty. at length. She was but strolling about to pass the time during your absence. While know little of such matters, it seems to me that the trials of the day have been extreme for her"
 King Michael ended by asking the attendance of the young woman her self; but 1t was just at this juncture that there arrived at the palace none less than the prefect of police, who made suppliance through several court official for admittance to audience with royalty.
 He says" ventured the last cham berlain, that he comes regarding the murder at the Ritz hotel. in which your majesty was graciously pleased to be interested
 Yes. yes-my dear Count Fred erick, it was absurd that you should be mixed in that-or the young Amer ican-I have not had time to think of it since then. What is all this now? Bring the man in.''
 And so presently the prefect, abashed and much perturbed, was ad- mitted.
 Well, we'll" demanded the mon arch, what is it-why do you come here?"
 For only one reason, your maj . esty." began the prefect humbly. We are convinced that there is more than chance medley in this murder. The thing goes deeper than we thought at first" Have you no suspect?' "One. your majesty. a person of no importance, by name Roleau." How now, count?" Michael turned
 to the nobleman who still stood near. What think you of this matter?"
 Count Frederick considered for a moment before he replied Set him free,' said he at length. Watch him. He will lead us to some thing perhaps. Be sure that once he is loose he will not be at rest for long,"
 An excellent idea" said Michael. Michael turned now to the matters closer to his heart-the welfare of the young American, whom he had not seen since his return to the palace. Even now she waited for admission to : his presence, and he had her sum moned at once.
 What! mademoiselle," cried Mi : chael, you are pale. You have not yet fully recovered-you have been ill?'' Yes. your majesty" replied Kitty, smiling somewhat wanly. He now no toad tbot tho copvinU vunnan ot h1r