The Elbert County tribune., 1916-03-24
CHAPTER LxxvII.
The Reckoning.

ty when at length they had reached
the upper portion of the palace, we
must advance to what remains yet
to be done. The ministers must be
summoned The writs must issue for
the attendance of the parliament 'Tis
long since one has been convened.
Michael the king-he alone has been
our goyernment-and what govern
ment!"
They were now passing toward the
central portion of the palace, having
ascended from the vaults below. Abb
bed--intent-Count Frederick, at
| least, was inattentive to aught else
save the presence of the woman at
his side. But now she plucked his
| sleeve.
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 door off the main hall.
and passed within unannounced. 1t
was nc 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 trail
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.
| ono 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 Sachio, with snarl of rage
| sprang forward at his foe, and Roleau.
| with a quick motion flung himself be-
tween. He felt the iron hand of his
master on his shoulder.
Leave him to me. Roleaul Take
care of the other man"
The two nob.smen 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 it be? Shall choke
you with my hands?"
The man whom he accosted was
one not easily dismayed. He greeted
these words with q smile which
showed his white teeth. His own
lighting blood was up. and fear was
a thing he did not know.
Suddenly his eye. rapidly glancing
about the room, caught sight of a
trophy of arms hung across the room
From 1t he caught down two swords
Bowing, 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
trife, each feeling OF the other, scarce
more than a hairs breadth from Its
course.
The icy eye of Count Frederick
cold, merciless, looked into the DARK
and smiling face of Sachio.
Il am going to kill you now" said
Count Frederick. "Shall 1t be soon 2
The answer of Sachio was more
than a smile. Fiercely he whipped
free his blade. His knuckles up, hi.
blade shot forward in long and dead
ly lunge.
Suddenly the jaw Of Count Fred
erick shut the tighter. None coult
have said that he had seen what en-
sued. In some fashion, the blade o.
the nobleman of Gretzhoffen went out
vibrating, catching in its grip the
blade opposed to it. There was {
wrench, a twist. The weapon o.
Count Sachio was torn from his hands
he stood unarmed. He stood one hal
moment before he felt. kissing ho
through all his body, the point of his
antagonist.
Count Frederick turned. NOT wait
ing to sec his foe sink down, for ht
knew the work was done. He ad
vanced half pace to the man Ora
hame. covering in the corner befor,
Roleau. Him he smote across thu
cheek with the bloody blade. and said