The Red Cloud chief., 1916-07-06
Eighteenth INSTAlLMENT
CHAPTER Lxiv.
Sachlo and Michael.


The two rival capitals of these
mooted lands still faced one another
In a conflict as yet undecided. Which
were deeper I'm duplicity IL 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 Gretzhoffen.
II was as Sachio had prophcsied--
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 tho Gra-
hoffen courtier to lengthen the armis.
tice between the two warning coun.
tries with a view to 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 was
more or less familiar. II was his plan
in 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.
minutely. patiently, like 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 Of.
forts, though these he prosecuted even
In those portions of the palace where
so recently he and his troops had
faced death when the levels were food.
cd by waters turned in from the castle
moats. lie was willing to despair, and
I'm fact had turned away with the in.
tention OF giving up the search. when
he met n suboilicer OF the guard who
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 tho lower cham
bers.
"a friend!" rejoined Sachio prompt
ly. in military formula.
Advance, friend, and give the coun
tersign!" came the gruff command.
THE countersign?" said Sachio
"Ah, we'll my friend, now that think
OF 1t, have not had 1t given to mo
Twas my own neglect. But am q
friend of the king-'twas he who gave
me permission to explore these por
tions of the palace. l was curious tc
see the operations Of this system OF
defense by water-it was something
new to me-"
THAT is all very well,' rejoined tn,
soldier. but explanations Of that sor,
are scarcely good enough"
"Take me, then. to the king him
self" said Sachio.
why should II" rejoined the other
What business is 1t OF yours to know
about the lower levels Of our palace
These are ticklish times. and there
have been such things as SPIES
"Spies!" exclaimed Sachio, virtuous
ly. II. spy--is that what you mean
fellow? II so. command you to car
ry me forthwith to the presence OF the
king himself. He knows me we'll, ant
you should have a care not to offend
one who Is under the kings protec
tion."
The sheer audacity OF this intruder
had Its effect, even upon the blunt "ol
der who had accosted him. Sacni,
was indeed taken to the presence o
Michael, and there his bold prediction
proved true-Michael reprimandet
publicly the officer who had done hi'
duty, and showed his public favor t.
the man who was indeed a spy, al
though not suspected Of being one.
What, fellow?" exclaimed the kini
to the soldier, when Sachio had made
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 thu
guardhouse under arrest. Your tria
shall come later"
MY dear Sachio," resumed Michael
you see how prompt we are with ou'
protection Of our friends? DO not tak'
It III of us that one OF cur underling'
has done what his superior officers
or his sovereign would never think o
countenancing. We trust you will &C
cept this disclaimer"
1T was nothing, your majesty" re
piled the willy statesman, "and l as
sure your majesty the incident shall