The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-02-18

glitter OF q bit OF metal which eemed
o a portion of discarded a%ccouter.
ments. He stopped and picked II up.
II was a silver cigarette case, evi-
IDENTIFY OF value and evidently aban-
doned by seine Of the Grahoffen forces
who So recently had left the place.
Count Frederick examined Il curious
ly, opened It.
Within the lid there was written a
little inscription which gave him a
start. ITO Count Sachio, our well
beloved, for deeds of valor. From his
king"
so" exclaimed Frederick, so then
Sc then! he was here but now. And
look Not far away he saw the
prints OF sharp-heeled boots in the
broken soil. He caught up a little
bit Of nlmy lace-a kerchief whose
perfume was familiar TO him. He saw
against the bark of a nearby tree a
fragment OF like lace, torn perhaps
in some struggle.
Yes, she was here"
Agitated, ne hastened once more
now to the palace door. He demand
ed Of all whom he met where last they
had seen the young American. but
they could give no intelligent replies.
Let me tell you. then" said Count
Frederick I'm a flash OF anger, since
you cannot lean for me. She has
gone to Grahofen-as a prisoner. Go
there then, follow Sachio. as | have
already ordered. The young Ameri-
can without question has been taken
prisoner. We must rescue her. We
must do that for every eason In tho
world-for her own safety and u
own
And for my own peace of mind"
he added soto voce, as, haggard, he
turned away to find such relief as he
could in the countless duties which
now we're to devOlve upon him amid
the wreck Of a government and the
ruin of a city.
Although the forces OF the king OF
Grahofen had been worsted in STRAIT
egy and had given their parole In or
der to save their lives in the flooded
chambers OF the dungeon levels. the
kingdom itself. its ruler and it's lead
ing men seemed to feel little OF the
lIaIQI EOtlIlAl WIN AIAGf AAANAsAg w
feated. Upon the contrary, old Cor
tislaw and his mobiles we're victims not
so much of terror as Chagrin. Neither
were they disposed too s%crupulously
TO observe their own plighted word,
which had purchased life and liberty.
Passing from the limits OF the be.
leaguered capitol, they did not scorn
to take such loot as lay at hand, or
to carry with them such prisoners as
pleased them. Among these latter II
CHANGED that they had one more pris.
Oner whose freedom might much have
altered the course OF events in this
complex little drama.
Had Roleau, the doughty servant of
Kitty Gray, beer on hand at the time
Of the capitulation of the Grahoffen
forces. no doubt he would have kept
so close 10 his mistress as to guard
against any such sudden surprise as
had now left her at the mercy OF her
enemies. But Roleau, prisoner to
Grahoffen, had no knowledge Of any
OF the late stirring events, nor any
knowledge OF the whereabouts of his
mistress.
The windows OF the cell In which
Roleau had been confined faced upon
the corridor sometimes used by the
retainers OF the palace, less frequent
ly by those persons OF greater impor-
lance. Roieau heard footsteps now,
voices, the confusion OF a large party
arriving. He stepped close TO the
bars OF his cell. pressed his face out,
so that he might see. Upon his fea-
lures any who had observed must
have seen Joy, exultation. For, though
himself a prisoner. Roleau had seen
now. down below there. the form OF
that mistress whom he served
But Roleau was wise. He did not
cry out. He did not shout In sudden
greeting. as she passed among HIS cap
tors. Only he stood close and hoped
that she would look up.
She did look up. and saw him stand
ing there, and guessed his reason for
silence-saw his sudden finger on lip
demanding silence from herself as
well. A flash OF intelligence passed
once more between the two,
We'll. well. my pretty one" tainted
sachio. Welcome once more to our
portals: and may you bide with uB
longer this time than last"
We shall see.' was her retort.
? sachiO did not answer, but grimly
|. led her on into the presence OF King
-ortislaw himself. Cortislaw was still
/. furious in his chagrin at the defeat Of
F. ais plans.
/ $50. again, mademoisellel" said he
/ and his gray beard cuTled IN his evil
smile. eve have you once nor Be.
ieye as. Il Is the last time. You shall
} lOt escape again. Why 10 she here
sachio?" he demanded-"How did YOU
Z AXE herr"
= y found her as IN angel diadainlns
, he earth, your majesty" laughed sa'
;bio, "spurning the ~ground-in short.