The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-01-14

| walk. Excuse me, then|
Those who fingered for an instant
saw Roleau walk leisurely toward the
corner, raise his hand as though in a
signal, and then break into a run.
Wait" exclaimed Count Frederick,
as he saw the plan of the quick-witted
servant IF you leave us we also
might run away. We will pick him
up, no doubt. Do you tarry here with
u.s."
In fact the captain OF gendarmes,
seeing his own party reduced by di.
visions to no more than a couple of
men beside himself, hesitated, and
turned to secure the safety OF his
more important captives, While they
paused they heard the quick wheels
Of a taxicab which drew up before
them. After all, II was an open ques-
tion what had teen Roleau's intent,
for certainly he had ordered this vehi-
Gle to come hither Making the best
of the matter the captain Of gend-
armes motioned for his prisoners to
enter the car
Kitty turned to the silent man who
sat at her side. Count Frederick laid
finger to his lips. counseling silence,
and gazed straight on ahead.
Thus, silent and aloof, they arrived
as prisoners at the grand entrance OF
the Hotel Ritz.
Kitty found herself face to face with
a large man In full uniform, a man
with heavy beard and merciless eye,
who now addressed himself to his
subordinate:
"As to this man." he demanded,
why have you taken Count Freder-
lex OF Gretzhoffen?"
Merely as ultimate suspicion"
stammered the captain. eve found
him in company with this young won.
an, in whose room the crime was COM
mitted. This other" he pointed to
Count Sachio, also seems to have
known this young woman"
Who are you, them" demanded the
project of Count Sachio.
81 am Count Sachio Of Grahaffen,"
replied the latter.
Might | suggest to monsieur lie
project that we hasten" interrupted
Count Frederick gently enough
The project had seen many women,
not all OF them innocent. He smiled
grimly enough now as he noticed the
beauty OF the young girl, who stood
pale and not wholly collected in all
this turmoil. The girl now turned to
him. and for the first time spoke.
Monsieur lie project" said she, you
cannot make guilt out of innocence.
can prove to you by this clerk and
all these others that | was absent
from the hotel for several days. When
came back il was but for a short
time. ! was absent when this crime
was discovered. How can you con
meet me with It? Rather connect with
it those who have had access to my
room during my absence"
The official turned toward her
thoughfully, then to the captain Of
gendarmes. Have you searched all
these persons?" he inquired. The lat
ter shook his head.
so you do not know what evidence
has been destroyed. Come, then, per
form that duty now, see what you
find upon the persons OF these individ
uals The woman first"
Without hesitation Kitty presented
her handbag, drew out from it her lit
tie portemonnaie, even turned inside
out the pocket Of her frock. Count
Frederick watched her closely as she
did so. He saw that none of the Off
GERS discovered the piece of coin. He
suspected, although he did not know,
that Kitty had palmed It under her
thumb as she spread out her hands,
asking them to certify themselves.
The gendarmes, their captain, the
project OF police, turned away non
plusse" The project hesitated as he
faced the calm dignity of the noble
man.
Your excellency," said he at length,
81 dislike to ask of you the right of
search comply only with formal.
tiles, II your excellency-"
Certainly" said Count Frederick,
and threw open his coat.
The project of police turned to his
men. We have not yet found all of
those parties who may be concerned
with this crime We have not yet
held our questions on the scene of the
crime itself
They turned, all of them, now, and
approached the stairway which led to
the floor upon which were located
Kitty's apartments. Their numbers
quite filled the hall as they advanced,
preceded and followed by gendaImes.
But suddenly, as they approached the
spot they sought, the captain of gend
armes touched the arm of his superior
and pointed ahead.
THAT is the man who escaped.
exclaimed he "Roleau, here he is,
and coming from the room itself! But
who is that with him."
CHAPTER xxxVl.
The Body Of the Crime.