The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-01-07

The men who had covered the prs-
Oners with their weapons o sent
forward some Of their number to car
~ out these orders. As they advanced
Rnleau sprang toward them, but was
held back by the hand OF the captain
Of gendarmcs.
Quiet" said the latter. Would
YOU have some Of us killed? This
man wants only a bit OF coin. In the
name Of heaven. to give that Is cheap
er than to get killed."
Roleau fell back. and the work OF
the searchers went ON. But ID was
not money that the apaches sought
They took little count OF the contents
OF the pockets which they ra%nsacked.
They turned at last to Kitty. and the
swift flush on her face kindled their
eyes with n suspicion OF ONE guilty
knowledge on her part. She had not
had time since palming the piece Of
coin at the time OF the original search
10 conceal Il elsewhere than in her
handbag. Il was a %foregone conclu-
sion that II would be found there. The
thieves gave cxultant EXPLANATIONS
when at length they saw the fruit OF
their efforts-the piece OF broken
coin. The man who searched Kitty's
bag held It up, grinning.
Before any had time to form a plan
there came n sudden cry from one or
more OF the apaches. An instant later
and all OF them were gone-passing
out the open window to the fire es.
a p which led to the street below.
by tho Lord exclaimed SachiO,
the first to speak. THAT vas sudden
work" He turned to Count Fred.
erick, a certain anxiety In his wi
gaze, for he might we'll fancy that
The latter held him ia no 100 safe a
position Of friendship, since dis W
lats r%ansacking s5f the countR palace
here In Gret1hOaen town.
Who were they. think your in
lulred sachio.
"who?" replied Count Frederick,
They are thieves OF our beloved city
Of Gretzhofen-a part Of organized So
ciety as II exists here, my friend, and
well organized, as Is easy to be seen.
Blake. yonder. is their leader. His
home is in the edge OF this city, and
his hand is ready enough, me thinks,
for any crime. Fifty, a hundred men
rr more are under his orders. Appar.
entity he has laid his plans well. !
thought as much when | last saw him
and his rats
And when was that, Monsieur lie
Comtc?"
AT no long time ago | paid him a
VISIT said Count Frederick, shrug-
ging. Il learned enough to he ready
t. suspect a. NJ mn Wonder or any Of
rs Doe Iil,s ray" hrs..r1 aud en-.
tered these apartments. Within our
view th.y h.yt e ~ Hl't' "a r hbery
from the person OF this young woman
here. They have obviously taken what
they sousht-whatever that may be.
trust It was Of no consequence ma
demoiselle?"
Kitty took her cue from the calm
speech Of the count. her late rival,
but now rather her friend than this
oIAer Eobleman OF Grahofien.
She only In turn shrugged her own
shoulders and turned a somewhat re-
iroachiul gaze upon the officers OF
the law. who stood about, helpless and
cha lacd.
Count Frederick smiled. This,
saii he, is somewhat Of a jest. II
seems to me that our friends the
gendarmes submitted somewhat cas-
lily. Al least they haze g~one-they
have taken what they liked, and they
have carried on their dead from the
ield-if there have been dead here
Haye you any notion beyond this. my
dear Sachio?'
But Count Sachlo, thus smilingly ad
jurcd, could add nothing to the funt
OF information. He himself was lief
alone. II his oNn man mad been thu
victim. so much the worse for thu
man himself. But these reflection.
caused him no satisfaction.
I'VE must be out OF this now" h
exclaimed angrily. and strobe towar'
the door. He flung II open, almost II
thu face OF the project. who was hui
rying back to his demurahied assC
cirtes in the administration OF tn
law.
The face OF the project himself wa
red with chaerin as he now strobe Il
at the open door.
"~Gentlemen.' said he, facing Ccun
Frederick. Il have indeed received
message from the king. Il is en.irel
IN your favor"
His majesty says, OF course" b.
gan Count Sachio.
The project frowned. aud turne
again to Count Frederick. His ms
lesty says Count Frederick and IN
young woman are 20 be set free q
once. They are TO SO where they lik'
In fun posse ion OF their liberty.
AS fer this Dohloman'-and h
turned 20 Count Sachlo at last, Il al
instructed TO set him free also, an
to ask .im not TO ada further compl
eating circumstances by too long
tarrying on this scene,