Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-01-07
TENTH INSTALLMENT
CHARTER XxxVIi.
The MISSING Victim.

What's all this?" repeated the pre-
feet hotly, looking from one to the
other of the group about him. Would
any Of you make a mockery Of the
law"
In turn the members Of the I'm
willing and ill.assorted party gazed at
him and at one another.
Kitty Gray alone seemed to bring
to the situation a different point Of
view For just one instant she was
Of the belief that some hoax indeed
had been committed here by her serv.
ant. perhaps In the interest OF her.
: self. But the heavy frown Of the off,
Ger fixed upon her face sobered her
quickly enough
In turn she cast a glance upon Ro-
leau and raised her brows in query.
but that faithful soul only shook his
head to signify his own ignorance Of
the nature of this new mystery.
Which of you has undertaken this
sorry jest?' demanded the project
again. Come, now, there was muir.
der here. The town is afoot over 1t.
And now we come here and are told
there is no murder, or at least no vic.
tim Of one! Where Is the body? You
said you saw the man lying here"
He spoke to Roleau.
Your excelleney, SO he was" re.
piled the latter. He lay here on the
foor-directly where you see this
stain. This man here was bending
over him when caught him. He was
searching for something on the body.
1t lay directly here when | left this
room, Monsieur lie Project, That is
all can say"
The project in anger turned to
Blake, the apache leader. What do
you say" he demanded.
THAT | should be set free!" smiled
the latter, showing his ragged teeth.
You. woman" the chief turned
once more to the incoherent maid who
stood wringing her hands-"what do
you mean by coming with such an
alarm, when there is no proof of
need?"
But ! saw him lying there on the
foor-there was blood"
But blood alone does not make
crime. There must be also the body
OF the crime ITSELF We must make
further search. You will all remain
in custody until We have looked fur
Their. You will all 60 with us to the Ho-
tel de Vile for the further examina-
ton. We must find what bottom there
is to all this"
Il beg your pardon, Monsieur lie
Project" here interrupted the deep
voice Of the Count Frederick, You
will do nothing OF the kind SO far as
| am concerned, and so far as this
young woman here is concerned
The face of the project flushed in
surprise. How now, Monsieur le
Comte? You speak somewhat boldly.
It seems to me-"
There is no need for argument
over It," resumed Count Frederick. Il
was not here, as you well know, when
this crime was alleged to be commit
ted-your men found me elsewhere
almost at the moment Of the crime It.
self. My own people can tell you
where was all the day before that
moment. Moreover, this young wom-
an was not here, as | can testify
she was at my house AS to this man,
whose name Is Roleau, he was a serv.
ant at one time. cannot say where
he has been all the morning, but he
was in my house, and apparently had
been for some time when your men
arrested us there-this young woman,
myself and him"
True, true rejoined the official,
but all these things may come out
at the examination"
I'VE are not bound to join you In |
this examination rejoined Count
Frederick coldly. 80 far as this no.
bleman OF our, sister kingdom Is con.
cerned 1t Is something Of an indig.
nifty to hold him on any charge which
perhaps may not be made good. Would
you think 1t we'll for our government |
to be obliged to apologize to that Of
Grahoffen at this timer
The project hesitated for an instant.
bordering which horn OF possible
dilemma would be safest for him. AT
least may call upon his majesty him
self to declare his will" said he at
length. ~'~
Then lose no time" said Count
Frederick sternly Il fancy that his
chamberlains, if you use my name, will
carry any message to his majesty from
us at once. We are to remain here
safely-and you yourself may take up
the question OF the message to the
palace. Tall his majesty that Count
Frederic. of Gretzhoiten and Miss
Gray of America are held here, sus'
meets. under SO grave and so absurd o
charge as that of murder. Say to him
that we give our honor tnat we kno"
nothing of it.
But monsieur, that picture"
Count Frederick now flushed and
trowned in sudden anger,
"True, the picture, | admit that l
have 1t. | admit freely that came
to- this room and took that picture
without process of law make no de-
NAL OF that in the presence of its late
owner. 1t interested mel took i'll
will make such reparation as need be
for that. But that has nothing to do
with the crime of murder You have
not connected my name or hers with
that. You shall not detain US under
any trumped UP. imaginary cause