Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-10-05
CHAPTER Lxxvll.
The Reckoning.

NOW. Sdlu SOuut cTeueIICk 10 All
ty when at length they had reached
the upper portion OF the palace, W,
must advance to what remains We
to be done. The ministers must b,
summoned. The writs must issue To-
the attendance Of the parliament. Til
long since one has been convened
Michael the king-he alone has beer
our governuent-and what q govern
ment."
They were nov passing toward thu
central portion Of the palace. having
assembled from the vaults below. Alb
sorbed-intent-Count Frederick, al
least, was inattentive to aught else
save tho presence Of the woman al
his side. But now she plucked his
sleeve.
Listen" said she, and laid a finger
on her lips.
At her signal, Count Frederick soft
ened his footsteps and walked with
her stealthily. The sound Of the
voices engaged in whispered CONVEX
sation came now to his ears. Sud
denly he stepped forward, convinced,
flung open a door of the main hall,
and passed within unannounced. II
was nc time for formalities. in Gretz'
honen palace now.
so" said he, you are here again.
What. Sachio, you honor us yet by an
other visit? That is most kind OF
you. You. Grahame, you, my former
bodyguard-here with this arch trail
tor, this liar, this treacherous saake!'
They stood, surprised as yet with.
out plan for their defense.
"Ho, there!-the guard-the guard"
cried Count Frederick, stepping back
to tho door.
But to his call there came no
footsteps Of the guard. Instead.
one man came-Roleau, who for the
past few moments lad been in search
Of the two men. He fastened past
Kitty as she stood, thrust himself into
the room. and with Count Frederick,
faced the trapped ne who stood be-
fore then.
Count Sachic, with a snarl Of rage
sprarg forward at his foe. and Roleau.
with a quick Eotion flung himself be.
tween. He felt the iron hand CT his
master On his shoulder.
Leave him to me. Roleau! Take
care Of the other man"
The two roblemen faced enc an
other calmly now. Not sc with Ro-
leau. On the instant. he flung him.
self upon tie Ean accosted as Ora
hare. TIE struggle was unequal and
under Roleau's powerful grasp the
intruder soon was helpless.
Well" said Count Frederick; "Sa-
chic, how shall it DO? Shall l choke
you with my hands,"
The nan whom hs acccsted was
one net easily dismayed. He greeted
these words with a smile which
showed his white teeth. His own
fighting blood was up, and fear was
a thing he did not know.
Suddenly his eye, rapidly glancing
about the room, caught sight CT a
trophy Of arms hung across the
From it he caught down two swords.
Bowling, he handed both, hilt forward,
to Count Frederick. AT your service,
monsieur" he said.
On guard" said Count Fred
erick.
Lightly, gracefully. gently, the tips
Of the two blades yet, shiyered a
trife, each feeling Of the other. scarce
more than a hairs breadth from its
course.
The icy eye Of Count Frederick
cold, Derciless, locked into the dark
and smiling face of Sachio.
Il arr going to kill you now" said
Count Frederick. Shall it be soon?'
The answ-r CT Sachio was more
than a smile. Fiercely he whipped
free his tlac-. His knuckles up, his
blade shot forward liz a long ana dead
ly lurge.
Suddenly the Jaw Of Count Fred
erick shut the tighter. Meme could
have said that be had seen what en-
sued. In scne fashion, the hlaIe CT
the noblec1an of (iretzho1en went cut,
vibrating, catching in its grip the
blade opposed to it. There was a
wrench, a twist. The weapon OF
Count Sachio was torn from his hands,
he stood unarEed. He stood m half
moment before he felt, Kissing hot
through all his BODY, the point Of his
Count Frederick turned. not wait
ing to ses his foe SILK down, for he
knew the work was done. He al
vanced half a pace &c the man Ora
hame, covering in the corner before
Roleau. Hir1 he smote across the
cheek with the tloody BLADE, and said:
You coward and traitor. you shall go
to the law"