The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-03-03
EIGHTEENTH lNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIV.
saehIo and h

@AWANHN AHHN
The two rival capitals Of these
mooted lands still faced n another
in a conflict as yet undecided. Which
we're 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 own will
and that OF his sovereign upon the
weaker mind which purported to gov
ern at G~retzhoten.
Il 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 wi per
sonal plans. He acceded readily
enough to the proposals OF the Ora.
hoffen courtier to lengthen the armis-
tice between the two warning cou
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 Gretzhofen palace,
with whose interior he already was
more or less familiar. II was his plan
m case OF any challenge to refer to
the royal ruler who was his host.
He paid special attention to 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
his quarry.
But success did not attend his ef.
forts, though these he prosecuted ever
in those portions of the palace where
so recently he and his troops mad
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 giSng up the search, when
he met a subohicer OF the guard who
proved difficult to handle in his usual
easy fashion.
Halt, Who goes there" chal.
ienged this guard as he saw Sachio
emerge from one Of the lower cham.
bers.
"a friend" rejoined Sachio prompt.
ly, In military formula,
Advance, friend. and give the coun.
tersign!' came the gruf command.
The countersign?" said Sachio.
"Ah, well, my friend, now that / think
OF II, | have not had II given to ne.
Twas my own neglect. But ! am a
friend OF the king twas he who gave
me permission TO explore these por.
tons Of the palace / was curious TO
see the operations OF this system OF
defense by water-it was something
new to ne"
That is all very we'll reioined the
soldier, but explanations Of that sort
are scarcely good enough"
Take me, then, to the king him
self, said Sachio.
Why should ~" rejoined the other.
What business is II OF yours TO know
about the lower levels Of palace
These are ticklish times. and there
rave been such things as spies"
"Spies," exclaimed Sachio. v%irtuous
ly. Il, a spy-is that what you mean
fellow? II so. l command you TO car
ry me forthwith 10 the presence Of the
king himself. He knows NE well. and
you should have a care not to offend
one who is under the kings protec
ton
The sheer audacity Of this intruder
had It's effect. Won upon the blunt sol
der who had accosted him. Sachi,
was indeed taken 20 the presence O
Michael, and there his bold prediction
proved true Michael reprlmander
publicly the officer who had done hii
duty. and showed his public favor Il
? the man who was indeed a spy. al
though not suspected OF being one.
, What. fellow" exclaimed the KIM
to the soldier. when Sachio had mad,
q his eXplanatiOns-'what do you NEAR
by Offering ~indignity to our friend ant
future ally IN this fashion? Ava,
with you, and do you report at tn,
guardhouse under arrest. Your tria
shall come later
MY dear Saohio. resumed Michael
you see how prOmpt we are with Oul
, protection OF our friends? DO not SAX,
b. Il ~ Of as that one OF our underlingl
has done what niS superior officers
p or his sovereign would never think q
rountenancing. We trust you will a.
cent this disclaimer"
III was nothing. your majesty" ro
' piled the willy statesman. and 1 "a
! sure your majesty the incident snai