The Spectator., 1916-04-07
CHAPTER lxxVH.
The Reckoning.

me heckonih9. Now" said Count Frederick to Kit | ty when at length they had reached the upper portion of the palace, we must advance to what remains yet l to be done. The ministers must be summoned. The writs must issue for | long since one has been convened. Michael the king-he alone has been our government-and what govern | ment!"
 They were now passing toward the central portion of the palace, having ascended from the vaults below. Alb | sorbed-intent-Cou Frederick, at least, was inattentive to aught else save the presence of the woman at his side. But now she plucked his | sleeve.
 "Listen!" said she, and laid 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 conver- | sation came now to his ears. Sud denly he stepped forward, convinced, | flung open a door off the main hail. | and passed within unannounced. It was no time for formalities in Gretz- | hoffen 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 trai tor, this liar, this treacherous snake!"
 They stood, surprised as yet with out plan for their defense.
 "Ho, there.-the guard-the guard" cried Count Frederick, stepping back to the door.
 But to his call there came no footsteps of the guard. Instead, one man came-Roleau, who for the past few moments had been in search of the two men. He hastened past Kitty as she stood, thrust himself into the room, and with Count Frederick, faced the trapped men who stood be- fore them.
 Count Sacbio, with snarl of rage sprang forward at his foe, and Roleau. with quick motion flung himself be. tween. He felt the iron hand of his master on his shoulder.
 Leave him to me, Roleau! Take care of the other man."
 The two noblemen faced one an other calmly now. Not so with Ro. leau. On the instant, he flung him. self upon the man accosted as Ora hame. The struggle was unequal and under Roleau's powerful grasp the intruder soon was helpless.
 Well" said Count Frederick; "Sa- chic, how shall 1t be? Shall l choke you with my hands?"
 The man whom he accosted was one not easily dismayed. He greeted these words with a smile which showed his white teeth. His own fighting blood was up. and fear was thing he did not know. Suddenly his eye, rapidly glancing about the room, caught sight of trophy of arms hung across the room. From 1t he caught down two swords. Rowing, 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 met, shivered a trifie, each feeling of the other, scarce more than a hairs breadth from it's | course.
 The icy eye of Count Frederick | cold, mero Hess, looked into the dark | and smiling face of Sachio. | T am going to kill you now" said | Count Frederick. Shall it be soon?' | Tho answer of Sachio was more than a smile. F'iercely he whipped | free his blade. His knuckles up, his blade shot forward in long and dead ly lunge.
 Suddenly the jaw of Count Fred erick shut the tighter. None could have said that ho had seen what en- sued. In some fashion, the blade of the noblelan of Gretzhoffen went out,
 vibrating, catching in it's grip the b2de opposed to it. There was a wrench, & twist. The weapon oI Count Saohio was torn from his hands. he stood Mlarmed. He stood one half moment before he felt, hissing hot through all his body, the point of his antagonist.
 Count Frederick turned, not wait ing to sec his foe sink down, for he | knew the work was done. He ad- vanced half paco to the man Gra- hame. lowering in the corner bcfoi @ | Roleau. Him he sInote across tt 3 check with tho bloody blade, and said ]
 You coward and traitor, you shall go | to tho iaW."