The Elbert County tribune., 1916-01-07
eleventh INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER xxx.
The Virtue of Nee.salt,


she stood. still uncertain as to the re-
suit of Count Frederick's desperate
leap toward the moving train. Il can
not looki"
But presently she did look-both she
and Roleau passing not forward on the
train but to the rear of the car which
they occupied. Amazed. they saw
Count Frederick struggling to his feet.
Now, Roleau," she cried. I'VE must
be quick! If the count has taken this
desperate chance it was for some des-
perate purpose back of it. He knows
about the coin-we must get it before
he does, and that means at once"
How shall that be done, excel
lency?" said Roleau, puzzled for just a
moment.
81 have it!" said Kitty, as they hur-
ried deeper into the car that they
might not be seen by Count Frederick.
wait. l will send message to him
we will ask him to walk into our
parlor"
She seated herself for a moment
and hastily wrote few lines on page
of her note book, smiling as she did
SO.
'Tiens!" she laughed. 81 am now
leader in Grahoffen diplomacy. Does
not my writing seem formal?"
1--WE send it forward by the guard?"
Yes, Roleau, get him quick-give
him this money-we will wait here in
the drawing room near to the front
door of our car. The guard must not
tell him who we are"
Tl1f avap fbav vuofFad Infant on
the success of this somewhat trans
parent ruse, Kitty heard the step of
the guard behind her, and turned. Yes,
Bartel of Grahoifen was with him, a
puzzled expression on his face, the
note still in his hand.
1T was this lady sent me, monsieur, -
explained the guard, and, witnessing
the stiff surprise of all concerned, was
willing enough to step aside and leave
explanation TO others.
Indeed" said Bartel-and himself
would have been equally glad to es-
cape, for there was no one in the world
whom he less expected or less desired
to see than this young American who
now faced him smiling.
"You here?-How can it be possible.
from the SKYE"
AS he spoke any shrewd pickpocket
would have known in which pocket he
had concealed the coin; for uncon-
sciously his hand dropped over it.
Others also!" smiled Kitty Gray
and pointed through the rear window
of the car to the fiat on which Count
Frederick stood. He even now was
turning to pass forward into the
train.
An exclamation passed from Barteps
lips. Heaven protect us" said he,
the thing is bewitched!"
He turned and disappeared once
more in the forward part of the train.
For a moment Kitty thought of follow
ing him, but concluded that he would
make no attempt to conceal the coin.
Since he was so nearly at his destina-
tion he would continue to keep it on
his person. Therefore she turned to
the rear of the car.
Monsieur lie Comte Frederick" she
exclaimed now, greeting the tall figure
which approached her. You come un-
announced"
Count Frederick gazed at her for
moment in somewhat open admiration.
Listen" said he at length. why
should we make any three-cornered
fight of this at moment such as this,
when so much is at stake? Why should
we not unite against ycnder man,
common enemy, who has what we both
desire? Beyond belief we are lucky
that we are both here alive. Yonder
man has the coin-I know that as
well as you do. In half an hour he
will be free Once in Grahoffen with
the coin, he may wave farewell to us
and all our hopes. Come, mademoi-
selle, shall we be enemies or allies?
You are wise enough to see what l
mean"
Yes, And 1 suppose you to be
sportsman enough to play fair with
us at least. You have not always
done So"
That" said Count Frederick slow
ly. the red blood mantling his dark
skin, "is the bitterest cut have known
In all my life. / have asked your for
Iiveness before 1ow-have told you it
was my man alone who offered you
violence-not l. On the contrary,
have admired your own courage and
resnurcefulness all the way through.
1t seems to me you well have evened
any offense l ever gave to you"
AT least" said she. ''one good turn
deserves another. and We have little