The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-01-28
SECOND INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER vi.
Count Frederick.

man seated beside h6r IN the mOLOT,
bending upon him steady gaze.
'FWho are you?" asked she. "Why
did you follow me?"
The swathed figure suddenly
Strengthened. "Whatever I am-what-
ever you may think me, do not believe
me incapable of gratitude to yourself"
What is your name?"
"They call me Roleau, made
moisel1e''
Kitty Gray turned yet more closely
to him, gazed straight into his eyes.
Then why not enlist with me-?
Surely we have common cause. We
have a common enemy. Would 1t be
wrong did you and league against
him?"
you ask me, then"
"To be my friend, my ally"
Surely I owe him no allegiance
further!" exclaimed Roleau bitterly.
"He struck me like dog"
"Yet you and must see him again
and soon"
What! Would you trust yourself
once more in his presence? You are
an American girl-you are innocent
you are ignorant I warn you"
"None the less, if am to go forward
with the business which brought me
here to Gretzhoffen, surely I must
once more meet the Count Frederick
The man at her side hesitated no
more than an instant. Every WELL"
said he calmly. Gas for me, my life
has been forfeit many time before
now. What matter? / will go with
you as you say. Indeed, I fancy
know why you ask me to go-they
know me at the palace-they will ad-
NIT us BOTH
It was as Roleau had said. When
finally the two drew up to the court
driveway in front of the counts pal
ace, they were admitted without ques-
ton Roleau closed the door behind
him and put a finger to his lips for
silence.
"They will listen," he whispered.
"Be careful. This is the room where
Count Frederick receives his
friends"
Curiously, silently, Kitty sat or at
times walked about the room, taking
stock of the surroundings. Count
Frederick entered.
'Mademoiselle! am charmed! So
you remember me?"
''You may say as much indeed" re-
Joined Kitty Gray calmly II saw you
in the carriage this morning"
He turned now to ROleau, with no
change in his countenance to indicate
any recollection Of the nature of their
last meeting. 'You may retire to the
next room,'' said he, dismissing him
with a wave Of the hand.
'Do not in the least misunderstood
me, Monsieur le Comte," said she
lightly. "My business is very simple.
have proposition to make to YOU
a business proposition" (
But | en- not a business man."
Knocked the smiling antagonist who
closer.
"Are you SO sure?" exclaimed she
suddenly. "Is there no business in
which also l am definitely concerned?
Then why did you send messenger
to follow me in my own country, to
ransack my apartments there, to vio-
late my privacy even on the steamer"
my man served me but ill-if
may admit part of what you say
mademoiselle."
THAT is why | am here-and in his
company! Yes. know your messen-
ger as l know you. Come, let US rea-
son together over this, Monsieur lie
Comte Shall it be business or war
between us?"
The sheer audacity Of this speech
for one moment daunted Count Fred
erick. The next he broke into roar
of laughter and flung himself into a
chair. "Admirable!" said he.
She started away from him, moving
toward the door. 81 came, Monsieur
lie Comte," said she boldly, ito ask
you what price for the half coin which
you seek to hold Suppose, for in
stance, that Gretzhoffen loan were
executed for you finally in New York
would that influence you at all?
Come now, let us reason"
81 am beyond reason; care little
for the sordid side. / value not so
much money as what money brings.
1t could bring me no more than what
fortune has brought me at no cost,
this morning-this very hour"
"Roleau!" cried Kitty suddenly. "a
moi! Au secours! Vite!"
s'You waste BREATH laughed Count
Frederick HE cannot come"
Kitty made one swift dart toward
the door. She was too late. The
relentless face Of her opponent smiled