The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-02-25
EIGHTEENTH lNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER Lxlv.
Sachio and Michael.

ssS ~ INV
Sachio and Michael.
The two rival capitals of these
mooted lands still faced one another
In a conflict as yet undecided. Which
were deeper in duplicity it had been
difficult to say. but as to which sur
passed in active measures no doubt
at all remained. Count Sachio. rest
less and energetic, already was taking
further steps to enforce his WI will
and that of his sovereign upon the
weaker mind which purported to gov
ern at G~retzhoffen.
It was as SachiO had prophesied-
the sloth of Michael left him open to
any proposition which came couched
In fair words and which offered no
disturbing changes in his own per-
sonal plans. He acceded readily
enough to the proposals OF the Ora
hoffen courtier to lengthen the armis-
tice between the two warning coun-
tries with a view to a formal and final
peace. Readily enough also he admit
ted into his own household the arch
plotter Of the forces of his hereditary
enemy.
Unopposed, indeed invited, Sachio
made his way much as he liked
throughout the Gretzhoffen palace,
with whose interior he already "a
mor or less familiar. 1t was his plan
IN ass of any challenge to refer to
the royal ruler who was his host.
Ia -n3l c-~cSc1 ~%&n~<;on ~ that
apartment where he had found the
partially destroyed original script
whose missing half he sought. Here.
infinitely, patiently. like a hound run
ming a difficult trail, he went over the
place inch by inch. seeking to find
some trace which would lead him to
ais quarry.
forts, though these he prosecuted even
In those portions of the palace where
90 recently he and his troops had
faced death when the levels were flood
ed by waters turned in from the castle
meats. He was willing to despair, and
IN fact had turned away with the in
tention of giving up the search, when
AO tuCt q 6uUOIlCGI VI IA 6AuAu WIZ
proved difficult to handle in his usual
easy fashion.
Halt! Who goes there?" chal-
lenged this guard as he saw Sachio
emerge from one of the lower cham
bers.
"A friend!" rejoined Sachio prompt
u. in military formula.
NAu~-->R .~.l ~~l ~;xn Tho onsyn.
t~ersign!" came the gruff command.
THE countersign?" said Sachio.
sAh, we'll, my friend, now that l think
Of It, / have not had 1t given to me.
Twas my own neglect. But | am a
friend of the king-'twas he who gave
ne permission to explore these por-
tions of the palace. ! was curious to
see the operations of this system OF
defense by water-it was something
new to me-"
THAT 10 all very we'll" rejoined the
soldier. but explanations Of that sort
IRE scarcely good enough"
take me. then. to the king him.
oelf." said Sachi0.
why should To- rejoined the other.
ssWhat business 10 1t Of yours to know
about the lower levels of our palace?
These are ticklish times. and there
have been such things 40 spies"
~6pies!s exclaimed Sachio. virtuous-
-. II. . spy-is that what you mean.
6allow? II %. / command you to car
~ ne forthwith to the presence Of the
kine himself. He knows me well, and
yCu should have : care not to offend
- who = under the kings protec-
t1on."
The sheer audacity Of this intruder
~ IT. e6ect, even upon the blunt SOL
H. Who had accosted him. SachiO
- lndeoa taken 70 the presence Of
h1I6noel. ana there his bold prediction
DDso6 truo-Michael reprimanded
11ely the oflcer Who had done his
- showed his public favor to
Who was indeed . spy. a.
~ eueDoetsd Of being one.
41yn& fo1low1" exclaimed the king
49, no1dleg. WHEN Sachio had made
6SnSnntlona-what DO you mean
61ignlty to nj friend and
nv NJ fashionf Away
v 90 y .you report 1t the
ArTsst- Your srial
nsknss resumed Michael.
F1N ~ SeompE ~ = with our
- 09sads? % not take
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