The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-02-11

WANNiN WiANN NNE HNHAANf III WhANhf or
re knew, there rested the secret OF
G%rotzhodon. Rut Eince he was un.
guided. how could he know when at
length he was close TO the door which
barred him from that secret?
lie did find a closed door, in a part
OF the subterranean chambers not yet
flooded by the waters OF the moat
lie could not find entrance-the door
was locked-he had no time TO seek
for any key. Looking about him hast
lily, he saw only upon the floor a scrap
OF D an old, stained. charred. dis
membercd piece Of parchment, left
there by whose hand he could not
guess. Curiously regarding Il, he
picked II up to examine II more closely
Il bore some ancient inscription which
he could but III decipher-an irscrip
ton In Latin. Count Sachio cudgCled
his wits to bring to his aid such store
of knowledge OF dead languages as
nee was his in his college days. Hur
ried as he was, and "disiointed as the
inscription was, he could make but
little of II.
by the rood exclaimed he. here
Is something strange enough-a parch
ment from God knows where, by God
knows whom. 1t says something
about a king or an heir TO a kingdom
lit s2ys something about an abdue.
ton. Why, here we come upon a pret.
~ story. III warrant half my chance
OF reward in this war this paper has
something to do with the secret OF
Gretzhoifen. At least | will take 1t
with me-"
He thrust it into his pocket and hur.
ried on into the open to join his flee
ing comrades. Even as those left be.
hind In tie palace began TO take coun.
sci OF restoring some order after the
ruin which had been wrought. Count
Sachio, In possession OF II more un-
finished secret, was outside the walls.
As lie passed from the front Of the
palace. he came directly In the lire
OF vision OF Kitty, who was watching
the retreat OF the GrahoTon forces.
Something in Sachio's haste, his air
OF uncertainty wlthal, attracted her at
toution.
I'm sure" said she to herself,
there is some mischief in his mind.
AZ a rule IL has heen safe % follow
yonder rascal will do so now" And
that she did.
Sachio FASTENED out through the pal.
ace grounds. bound for some path
which without question was familiar
TO him, and which now he fancied
would offer him quick egress from .
situation so lacking in attractions.
In Sachic's mind was but one
thought. He was cogitnting eve as
he fled upon the contents Of the pa.
per in his pocket. Half he drew it
out rs he fastened. "A kim sold
he-'abducted, who was he? What
was his aEc-whnt king? 'Tis iH'cCd
a cunning plot TO vsx my soul yet
further"
In Kitty's mind, as she followed hin
with her eyes, and presently followed
him ia person, there was 10 ink!ing
OF this problem which was troubling
good Count Sachio. What concerned
her was on Indefinite feeling that
she must keep aim I'm sight. once
more her instinct proved Of service.
Count Sachio passed among The
%shrubhery Of tho place, eager 70 find
such shelter as he night-colceaimeE
wEich would offer hiIl safety and an
opportunity TO exar:ine yet mere thor
oughly this curious bit Of paper which
he had safe In his pocket. He thrust
this way and that 4 button Cf his
coat eatangled in the branch Of q
shrub. He detached 1t hastily end
passed or AS he ia 50. he did rot
notice that his cherished bit Ct paper
loft his pocket a-d fell up-" IL,
ground. Trust eyes as keen IS Ki;ty's
to mote this incident Of his nis.t A,
instant l2ter shu had psunccl uppp Il
ard wcs herself hurryi z fer conceal
meat. Olce r,oro her wits were al
swords point with these Of the dough
tlest # her foes.
Kitty herself, ~glarciag hastily 1T tina
paper, could make 70 more 4 II thar
had Sachio. What can Il mean?
thought she. But whatever II meant
Of ole q irg she was sure-Coun
Sachio would return for It.
She tad rot loag t. wait to find Thu
suspicion con iiru.cd. Soon she hear,
hin hurryiug back-saw lin boudiaI
over the place whore he last has be
SUR Of tho possession Of tSo paper
saw him Look about nero ana thcr,
hastily. hurriedly, eagerly Now IN
deed she was confirmed IL her owl
suspicious.
Aha, Count Sachio, said she 10 her
self, once more | have something
which you coyet"
She had occasion TO find once nor,
that the possession Of something Couu
Sachio coveted carried with II a cer
tain danger 4 the possessor.
Looking this way and that for som,
place Of safety, Kitty saw n thickly
branching tree which &c her notiol
might 1nor a shelter. Without hes