The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-01-14

which led to the rear Of the hotel.
Attaining entrance at the rear, he
sped up the back stairs, and found
himself once more at the apartments
of Kitty Gray.
What he saw caused even his stout
nerves to quail for the time. On the
floor before him, with face half turned
and arms outfiung, lay the victim Of
the last adventure connected with the
mysterious Gretzhoffen coin
Roleau did not know this man at
hrst, but he seemed not of Gretshoi.
fen. Rather his garb betokened him
to come from the kindred kingdom OF
Grahaffen.
Carefully, yet using that speed
which he knew was imperative, Ro-
leau bent over, making such search
as he could of the silent evidence OF
the crime. 1t seemed to him almost
certain that he had seen this man
somewhere, but he could not be sure
He stopped, hesitated, and then swift
ly sprang aside and sought conceal
ment behind the hangings of the room
HE was sure that he had heard some
one move In the rear room OF the
apartments.
He had no more than concealed him
self before he had full evidence Of
the justice of his suspicion. He heard
a rustling behind the curtained door,
heard the slight stunning OF a step,
and saw emerge from the conceanng
curtains face which he knew well
enough; he could not mistake that
eyes, the almost silent football which
carried him forward. Yes, Roleau
knew him, knew him we'll enough. He
had met him not so long before In
combat at the lodge OF Count Sachio.
had saved the life OF her excellency
from this very man. He had fought
him again in his own den in the slums
of Gretzhoffen here. Yes, 1t was Blake,
the renegade king of the apaches.
He stopped over the body and knelt
by its side, thrust a hand into the
pockets of the coat, and at length
drew out folded paper, which he hur.
riedly crowded into his own pocket
Then he was about to arise. but at
that instant he felt the tigerlike
weight Of the giant Roleau upon his
own back. A hand caught his arm
back OF his, crowded it up toward the
back of his neck, strained it into a
position of excruciating pain. An arm
came around his neck, choking him.
He was helpless.
Get up" said Roleau, at length.
grimly. 81 know you. So, you did
this? Come along with me-"
Now it was this strange apparition,
Of Roleau marching his prisoner be-
fore him. which gave pause to the
procession of the law as 1t advanced
toward the scene of the crime. The
project OF the city, his officers, Count
Frederick, Count Sachlo, Kitty Gray,
all these others, paused now.
What is that" demanded the pre-
feet imperatively. Who are you, and
what do you do with this MANI"
He is the guilty man, excellency,"
said Roleau stoutly. 81 took him but |
just now in our apartments. He was
bending over the dead man there
when saw him. l sprang upon him
and took him, as you see. know this
man we'll enough. He is robber and |
a chief of robbers; he is the leader OF |
the apaches of this city"
What you say may be true" said
the project, as he cast a swift glance
at the prisoner; but we can jump at
no conclusions. Retain him, retain
them both"
do you know this man." he de
manded OF the clerk.
But the latter shook his head. 81
never saw him." said he. But all
these things rouse additional suspi-
cion Of this young woman. She Is too
mysterious; she has too many strange
friends. | tell you, monsieur lie pre-
feet, she is the one who knows all
about this She knows the victim.
whoever he may have been. Depend
on that"
The project, had he made like Ques-
ton OF Count Frederick or Of Kitty
herself, might have heard that they
both had seen before now this latest
addition to the list of captives. But
that official, for the time, was engaged
in larger matters
There is truth in what you say"
he assented to the last remark Of the
clerk. Now all the avenues are
closed and all the suspects are as
sembled, | take it. We will see what
the room itself holds. We will enter
mo, no" cried Kitty, in sudden ter
ror at the thought Of what she feared
to see. 81 cannot know nothing OF
this: | don't know who the man waA
| don't know who did this"
What, mademoiselle! You fear to
see what there may be to witness?
said the project, AS to you, monsieur
lie comte-"
THE law will take its course" said
Count Frederick coldly. You have
before now seen fit to doubt me. Take
matters into your own hands, mon
sieur lie project, and let the law 90