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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (March 16, 1916)
' )WI','V'7. j,,., fxu , t- RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF 1 Lk ! lit II ; i 1 1 s : ':! if The Broken Coin By EMERSON HOUGH From the Scenario by Grace Cunard A Story of Mystery and Adventure (Copyilglit. 1315, Ly 8YNOP8IS. Kilty dray, tmwspiippr wonmn, finds In a curio nliop luilf of n Iiruld'ti colli, tlio mutilated liiHcrliitlnii on wlilch nroiiHua Iter curiosity ami lends licr, nt tlm onlor of lior niimiiKliitf (illlnr, to ro to tlio prln ulpullly of (!r"t7.lio(Tcn to plecn out tlio Btory 8iiKi;i"iltd ly tlio 1 nsorl (t Ion. Hho In followed, onil on arrival In (Irt'tzlionVn lior nrtventiitos whllo rluinlntf tliu nocret of tlio lirukcn coin begin, SECOND INSTALLMENT CHAPTER VI. Count Frederick. Kitty Crny turned suddenly to fio man seated bcsldo her In tlio motor, bonding upon him n steady gazo. "Who nro you?" iiBkcd alio. "Why did you follow mo?" Tlio swritlii'd flguro suddenly etrnlghtoncd. "Whntovor I nm what ever you may think mo, do not bellovo mo incapable of gratltudo to yourself." "What Is your name?" "Thoy call mo Rolcau, mado molHollo." Kitty Gray turned yet moro closoly to him, gazed straight Into his oyes. "Then why not enlist with mo? Surely wo havo a common cause. Wo havo a common cnomy. Would It bo wrong did you and I Icaguo against him?" "You ask me. then" "To bo my friend, my nlly." "Surely I owo him no allegiance furthor!" exclaimed Roleau bitterly. "Ho struck mo llko a dog." "Yet you and I must seo him again and soon." "What! Would you trust yourself onco moro In his prcHonco? You nro an American girl you nro Innocent, you nro ignorant. I warn you." "Nono tlio less, If I nm to go forwnrd with tho business which brought me horo to Grotzhoffen, Huroly I must onco moro meet tho Count Frederick. Tho man at her sldo hesitated no moro than an instant. "Very well," Bald ho calmly. "Ab for mo, my llfo has boon forfeit ninny a tlmo before now. What mnttor? I will go with you as you say. Indeed, I fancy I know why you nsk mo to go thoy know mo at tho pnlaco thoy will nd mit us both." It wob as Rolcau had said. When finally tho two drow up tn the court drlvowny in front of tl"- count's pal aco, thoy wcro admitted without ques tion. Rolcau closed tho door behind him and put a finger to his lips for Bllcuco. "They will listen," ho whispered. "Bo careful. This Is tho room whore Count Frodcrlck receives his friends." Curiously, silently, Kitty sat or nt times walked nbout tho room, taking stock of tho surroundings. Count Frederick entered. "Mndemoleollo! I nm charmed! So you romemhor mo?" "You may say ns much Indeed," re Joined Kitty Gray calmly. "I saw you In tho carriage this morning." Ho turned now to Uoleau, with no change In his countennnco to Indicate any rocollectlon of tho naturo of their last meeting. "You may retire to the noxt room," said ho, dismissing him with a wavo of tho hand. "Do not In tho least misunderstand mo, Monsieur lo Comto," said bIio lightly. "My business Is vory Blmplo. I havo a proposition to mako to you a business proposition." "Hut I nm not a business man," mocked tho smiling antagonist who fncod her. Ho camo yet a hnlf step closer. "Aro you so suro?" exclnlmcd sho suddenly. "Is thcro no business In Which nlso I nm doflnitoly concorned? Then why did you send a messenger to follow mo In my own country, to ransack my apartments there, to vio late my privacy oven on tho steamer?" "My man served mo but 111 If I may ndmlt part of what you say mndomolsello." "That Is why I nm here and in his company! Yes, I know your mossoii Bor ns I know you. .Como, let us rea Bon together over this, Monsieur lo Comto. Shall It bo business or war botweon us?" Tho shoor audacity of this speech for ono moment dnunted Count Fred crick. Tho next ho broko Into a roar oC laughter ntid flung hlmsolf Into n chair. "Admirable!" snld ho. Sho started away from him, moving townrd tho door. "I camo, Monsieur k Comto," said sho boldly, "to ask yon what prlco for tho hnlf coin which you Book to hold. Suppose, for in stance, that Grctzhoffcn loan wore oxecuted for you Anally In New York would that influence you nt all? Como now, lot us reason." "I nm beyond reason; I enro Httlo for the sordid sldo. I valuo not so much money ns what money brings. It could bring mo nd moro than what fortuno has brought mo at no cost, this morning this vory hour." "Rolcau!" cried Kitty ruddenly. "A mol! Au Becours! Vite!" "You wasto breath," toughed Count Predorlclc. "Ho cannot como." Kitty mado ona awlft dart townrd tho door. Sho was too lato. Tho relentless face of her opponent smllod' . Wright A. Patterson) nt her, his strong lingers tnrnod tho key In tho lock, removed it, thrust It Into his pocket. "Mndemolscllc," ho Bald calmly, "you way you camo on business. Very well, let us talk business. Wo know something of tho history of a ccrtnln broken coin. Vory good. You havo hnlf of It. Wo will say I havo tho other. Give mo your half tho coin, nnd I will let you go. Refuse, nnd I'll never let you go." "I will do nothing under compulsion from you or any other man,"anld Kitty Gray stoutly. "I offer you a fair price for your half of tho coin." "You will not glvo It to mo?" "No I No!" A loud pounding on tho door Inter rupted them at this moment. "It Is Rolenu," smiled tho count. "I will havo him whipped." Tho faco of Kitty Oray had grown llko marblo. Suddenly, with ono swift movement, alio dashed her clenched hand with nil her forco into tho faco which bent townrd her. A livid mark nroso under tho swift compact Tho tall man Btnggorcd back. Tho noxt Instant Kitty felt her wrist caught In nn iron grasp. Struggling, alio was forced backward. Sho felt another hand grasp her wrlnt. Tho man Grnhnmo, tho count'B valet, hnd appeared mysteriously from tho alcove ndjolnlng. "Glvo mo tho coin!" Insisted Count Frederick still. "Tell mo whero I may havo It or by tho Lord! you will rest n long tlmo to think this matter ovor." "Excellency!" ejaculated tho man Grahamo suddenly. "On guard! He Is breaking In tho door. Quick, excel lency!" And oven as Rolcau, by n mighty henvo burst In tho door, Grahamo und his master hurried Kitty to tho roar door of tho ulcovo. It madu out upon n dimly lighted hall. Rolenu heard thorn pass, followed swiftly us ho could. Hut It was empty. Tho purr of a motor getting under wny reached his ears. "So, then wo failed," said Rolcau bitterly. CHAPTER VII. In the Desert. Convinced ngninst her will, as she hurried along in the grasp of tho two powerful men, that compllnnco would servo her purpose better than resist ance, Kitty Gray took her pluco on tho scat of tho motor car. "Moro and moro I ndmlro you," said tho man at her sldo, as tho motor swung Into its speed. "Whnt a wom an you aro! If you would but give mo time" "You shall havo nil tho tlmo you ask, Monsieur lo Comto!" "Still, I ponder hb to your motive In nil this. It cannot bo money." "Indeed It Is money In part." "How much, mademoiselle?" "A year's salary I havo got much at stake, on my word Twolvo hun dred dollars, Monster lo Comto. It Is a fortuno for me." Count Frederick flung himself bnck upon tho cushions nnd laughed long nnd loud. "Twelvo hundred dollnrs!" said he. "Twelvo hundred dollars In a wholo year, In nn entlro yenr? My dear, glvo mo tho half coin you havo upon you, and I promlso you shall havo twelvo thousand dollars to spend as you llko each and every day of your llfo, ns long as you llvo. Como now, Is It a trndo? You Bald you camo to talk biihiness." For tho tlrat tlmo now Kitty looked about her, scarco having realized how long their Journey had been. So great had been their speed that by this tlmo they hnd cleared tho city wnlls of Gretzhoffen nnd passed tho tilled fnrmtomls of tho villages. It was wh.it was known locally ns tho desert a neutral ground, uot tilled and Incapnblo of successful tillage, which toy between tho two kingdoms of Gretzhoffen on tho enst and Grahof- fen ou tho west. Whether It was tho heat of tho buu which had expanded tho air in tho mo tor tires, or w bother thoro wns sorao Bharp Btono under tho wheel, thoro wns no tlmo to dotormlno; yet sudden ly, with tho usual rlllellko report, thero was an explosion of tho tiro. Tho car was practically helpless. Kitty looked about hor vaguely, fearfully, but ns sho bent from tho open window sho hoard In tho dls tanco tho chug of another motor, driv en rapidly, thrown wldo open and coming forwnrd at great speed. "Quick! Grahamo," tho count do-mandt-d. "This is your work. Sho has It on her person. You must yes, you must tnko It nt onco." An ho laid hand upon her, all tho hot indignation of Kitty's soul flamed up. Sho battled as best sho might. Sho defeated tho mnn in hla purpose of Biintchlng at tho string which ho saw suspended nbout hor neck. Ills suspicions wero well founded, for onco moro Kitty had concealed her portion of tho coin in a littlo bag which Bho carried thus. Baffled, and knowing that ho hnd small tlmo to finish his work, Grahamo at length raisod a das tardly band and struck the girl in the fnco. Sho fell, stunned, nt hlB feet. "You rulllnn, what havo you done!" exclaimed his maBter, as with n thin Btnllo Grahamo held up tho chamois bag. Hut Count Frederick ripped it open, took from it what ho saw, and thrust it into his pocket. Evon ns this hap pened, tho pursuing enr was closing In upon them. It wnB Rolcau who sprang from tho seat and hastened forward, revolver in hand. Ab ho did so a weapon cracked from tho car of Count Frederick, nnd Rolcau, stum bling, fell forward nnd toy Btlll. "Como Grahamo quick." An in Btnnt later they hnd taken possession of tho motor Impressed by Rolcau. How long sho remnlned senseless, sho herself scarcely know, but whon Kitty stirred, rnlscd hor head, sho saw lying closo besldo her tho flguro of tho man who had sought to be friend her. Kitty suddenly raised her hand to her neck. Tho cord was gone. Tho packet was missing. When nfter a tlmo sho censed in a useless effort to lug the heavy body of Roleau Into tho shelter of tho car, sho turned to gazo about her. Sho paused, her gazo arrested. Yes, a Httlo caravan, apparently from nomo far off land, und Journeying hither frnnkly enough across tho neutral ground between theso two Httlo king doms. Tho npparcnt leader of this littlo caravan was a reticent, dark-bearded man. Ho ndvanccd now quietly to ward tho young woman. "Tho tody Is In distress? Thero has been troublo hero robbors, bandits your man has been killed, perhnps. Ycb, thero aro ninny such in this land, between tho two kingdoms. Thero Is no law here, mademoiselle. I cross bb you see, with my own men armed. I nm, if you pleaso, a morchant of OrahofTen. SometlmcB I do a Httlo merchandising between the two king doms." Ho pointed to tho coat of arms on tho door of tho dlsnblod car. "Tho Count Frederick of GretzhofTen haB been hero." "Aye, tho Count Frederick! It was ho who left ua here." Ho mado a gesturo now to his at tendants, nnd as Bomo of them lifted tho limp form of Rolenu, ho himself nsslstcd Kitty to mound. A few mo ments later and tho strnngo procea olon wns again on its way. "Mademoiselle," said tho leader at length, ns ho drew up alongside, "I must contlnuo on into my own coun try. Wo nro near tho edgo of it hero. At tho littlo stream wlilch HeB Just beyond thero Is n houso of a peasant It is but a hovel and no fit placo for you, that is true But even ho, that is better either for you or for your mnn." They advanced now a Httlo distance farther, until within full sight of tho peasant's Httlo hut, Radoz made signs . Kitty Felt Her Wrist Caught In an Iron Grasp. thnt his charges should bo assisted in dismounting. Tho cowllko pensant woman proved not Inept hi ministrations perhaps sho had seen such hurts ns theso bo foro In her llfo horo on tho border. Sho mado Roleau comfortable. CHAPTER VIII. i Count Sachlo of Grahoffen. At Bunrlso of tho following morning Kitty nwoko as suddenly as sho had fallen nsleop tho night Uoforo. After her frugal breakfast with the old peasant folk with whom Bho could hold no conversation whatever sho sot out for tho bedsldo of tho faithful attendant who had been Injurodiu hor cause. "Roleau, good morning," sho said. "How goeait. then?" "Excellently! I am qulto well. I And my wound not to bo serious. I can travel." "Better rest for yet a tlmo," said Kilty. "It will bo tho best medlcino for you. Aa for myself, I purpose now to go out nnd spy out tho land." Sho left him, making some oxcuso t,o her peasant hosts, pnssed out from tho littlo cottage. Sho walked on stead ily, not 111 content after all, until Just ns sho arrived at tho edgo of tho for est sho notlcod advancing from its depths a littlo party of horsemen, who woro riding Bwlftly toward hor on tho trail. Thoy camo on at a gallop, foreign- I looking men, richly clad, dark of visago, equipped aa though for th rfMS "V i '. ' i I. !V'i " "This Lady Is hunt Tho apparent leader of tho party, a stalwart, sturdy man, dark of hnlr and richly clad rodo slightly in advance of tho others. Catching sight of a young woman and a very pretty one standing thus alono on tho forest road, this gentle man pulled up suddenly. "Bonjour, monsiour," said Kitty, with her usual recourso to tho French language "Eh blon, e'est quo vous parloz Fran cats?" And at onco ho himself broko Into volublo French, much to Kitty's delight. "I am an American," Bho wont on to Bny. "I ask pardon, mademoiselle," re joined tho dark man whoso bold eyes, after what seemed to Kitty to bo tho fashion of tho country, now wero carefully estimating her, lino by lino "I beg your pardon, but mademoi selle is alono? Why?" "My companion Is ill yonder nt tho pensant's house. Thero was nn acci dent yesterday with our motor ho is not yet ablo to travel." "I am riding but now to my own hunting lodge, a few mile3 yondor at tho edgo of tho forest; why not como with mo so that we might speak over this matter? I am entortnlning friends there a littlo houso party thero nro othor ladles. You will be mado welcome If you can rldo " "Oh, yes," Bald Kitty. "I can man ago." It was not long before thoy arrived at tho hunting lodgo. Count Sachlo introduced his guestB with a few words In his own language. They stared politely, smiled discreetly, but mado Kitty welcome. "Now, bo off with you all!" ex claimed Count Sachlo. "To tho wood land paths, since tho morning la so fresh." "Mndcmolsello, you will havo re freshments?" he asked, as, laughing gnyly, the others dispersed. "Nothing moro for mo than a cup of tea," said Kitty gravely "Lest you think mo rude perhaps It may bo well for mo to excuso myself. Is thcro any way In which I mny got buck to tho cottago whero I left my man?" "Not bo fast, not bo fast ns all that, ma cherlo! You havo not tested out my humble placo as well as I would ask. Como, what you think of It? Not his words so much aa his man ner Bent swift alarm into Kitty Gray's heart. Swiftly bIio arose and mado back as he, warmed somewhat by his wino, now advanced toward her, smil ing. Her gesturo angered him and ho Btepped forward, but moro swiftly. At onco Kitty gave volco to a loud cry of terror tho appeal for help a woman's first weapon of defense For, oven ns Bho did so, sho heard the sound of hoofs on tho trail beyond tho edgo of tho forest. "Roleau!" Sho cried aloud, "A mol!" Kitty gucsaod, rathor than know, that Rolcau's uneasiness on her ac count had led him to pursue hor. Such, indeed, wns tho case. "Who aro you, man?" demnnded Count Sachlo, imperiously. "I am Sachlo of Grahoffen, mnn ono who need not declaro himself to you. Your llfo shall pay for this!" "Good! Why not now, my friend?" retorted Roleau calmly. "I havo soon men of many sorts boforo now, but nono that I feared. This tody is in my enre She will rldo with mo, and wo will rldo bettor horses than that ou which I camo." Evon ns ho spoko ho passed rapidly nmong tho spirited mounts of tho lit tlo party lately arrived. Two ho se lected for himself nnd Kitty. With tho others ho was busy w'ith a few strokes of tho short knlfo ho woro. Ho grinned ns ho camo out from among tho horses. "So, Monsieur Sachlo of Grahoffen," snld ho, "you will rldo with short girths if you follow us." In truth ho had cut a ploco out of tho girth of each ono of tho unused horsos. An Instant later ho and Kitty wero mounted and speeding away. CHAPTER IX- Klna Michael II. When Count Frederick and his ac complice Grahame left their two vic i In My Care." tims lying helpless in the sandy plain, they themselves mndo all speed possi ble back to tho capital. In splto of his regret nt violence to a woman, ex ultation Bat on tho dark features of Count Frederick. "Now, Grahamo," ho exclaimed, "at last wo havo It." "Excellency," rejoined tho other, "you havo but half tho coin. I told you whero tho two pieces were whero each wns. One you havo at last, and after some trouble. But tho other is still In tho possession of Michael tho king. Ho mny not yield It easily." "With ease or difficulty, he shall glvo it up," growled Count Fredorlck. "Wo will take It from him If need bo." And straightway to tho Royal pal aco of Gretzhoffen they fared on, fast as might be. Thero was no difficulty In securing ndmlsslon, for Count Frederick was well known at the pal ace, almost as tho king himself. King Michael II looked with a cer tain disapproval upon Count Fred erick's dusty clothes. "I nsk your mnjosty's pardon, but I havo had no time to nrrango myself In proper courtesy. My errnnd Is ur gent But I fancy you cannot guess it?" "Not in tho loaBt. It could not bo that you wish to ask mo again what you nsked me tho last time you came here about the broken coin!" "Yes, it was precisely that." "Why, then?" lour majesty tins promised mo some little thing In reward for a cer tain sorvlco which I was nblo to ren der not long ago. It was rudo of mo to remind of that but suddenly thoro crtmo up a need for some little trlnkot somo Jewel somo oddity. Your majesty, I wish It for njady. and my Jeweler told mo ho could mako of this broken coin " "Thcro is a woman In It?" Tho puffy 'eyes of tho king showed Inter est now. "To bo sure thero Is always a woman." "Why not then a pearl, n sapphire, a diamond perhaps? Tako as you llko." Ho waved an Indifferent, pudgy hand toward a cabinet. "Michael tho Second keeps all his promises." "But why not tho coin, your maj esty?" "You persist? So do I. I suggest that for a lady and you sny thero Is n lady you mako some gift moro fit ting. I have explained to you that tho coin Is not presently at hand. But ns I said, help yourself to somothlng that Is better." . Count Frederick wns n man of wit quick enough to seo that hero was no tlmo to forco nn argument. Defeated onco moro, ho even accepted his do feat. Ho stepped now to tho Httlo drawer which the king pulled open for him, nnd selected n vory modest littlo ring, which carelessly ho dropped into hlB own pocket. CHAPTER X. Greek Meets Greek. Arrived nt his own homo, Count Frederick of Gretzhoffen found a little pllo of unopened letters waiting for him, nnd picked up ono bearing the crest of Count Sachlo of Grahoffen, a man ho had known for many years and with whom, If truth bo told, ho had hnd certain plans which neither would havo cared to havo como Into public knowledge. Ho toro opon tho envelope. "So, Sachlo asks mo to Join him at a Httlo hunting party at his lodgo in tho forest beyond tho neutral giound! I bellovo I'll go. After all, it might not bo a bad thing to find out a Httlo moro nbout tho condition of thoso two wo left yondor In tho desert. Yes, I'll rldo back tho very way I just camo." MIlo after milo slipped rlbbon-llko beneath their speeding wheels. Soon thoy had loft behind thom almost all sights of tho greon commons and tho fonced fields wlilch lay under tho walla of Gretzhoffen town. It was Grahamo who first detected, far ahead, a littlo dust cloud of udvanclng trav elers. Ho called tho attention of hla master. "Glasses, Grahamo find what it Is." Even tho stolid Grahamo gave a sharp cxclnmatlon, "Here como two riding, a man and a woman, 'l swear, I believe It Is tho two, both como to llfo ngaint They advanced now moro slowly and pulled up at tho foot of n Httlo ravine, whero a cross trnil camo in from tho right, leading no ono know where, out Into No Man's Land bo tweon tho two kingdoms of Gretzhof fen nnd Grahoffen. Hero tho depres sion concealed them and they awaited the arrival of the two travelers. That camo In duo course, but with It almost synchronously yet other events. A sound of Bhoutlng becamo nudlblo. To the light, along a. curving cross-rond of tho desert, thero camo Into view, riding ut top speed, whoop ing aloud ns they spurred forward, a ragged band of drunken ruffians nono less than n party of tho banditti which in thoso somewhat lawless days Infested this open nnd llttlc-truvclcd region, a sort of No Man's Land. "Come, your money your valu ables!" exclaimed tho leader of theso ruffians. "You know me? I am Lan dozl, chief of tho Brotherhood. My men llko work nono too well, and wo must eat nnd drink. Your money, please or we will tako It whether or not you please" Contemptuously, Count Frederick reached luto hla pocketa nnd iung upon tho ground beforo them such valuables ns ho had. Tho bandit now turned to ropcat thla process with tho other two stran gers, whom they could not classify ns friends or foes of thoso whom thoy hnd now found In tho motor car. "What havo wo hero a woman, nnd a beautiful one!" exclaimed tho ban dit chief. "Sho wears no Jowols per haps sho has not much monoy for us. But still, thcro aro other ways. What say you, my follows, shall wo hold her for n ransom?" Tho man Rolcau horo raised his hand and spoko with authority "My friends," ho Bald, "what I havo Is Httlo and It la yours, for you aro my brothers nnd I know you must livo ns well as I. I know you aro friends of tho king's troops shortly wo will lido thither together, if you don't mind. As for this lady, lay no hand on her. I tell you sho is a hlghnesa of a foreign land, nono less than Amer ica across tho sea." "And why not fit for ransom then?" demnnded tho bandit chief. "Becnuso, I tell you she la one or tho ladles of tho king's household sho Is protected by King Michael II him self, uo les3. Sho is of hla rank in life, I tell you, my brothers. Irresolute tho bandit turned toward his men, but a murmur of assent ratli fled what Rolcau had said. "Good!" said ho suddenly. "I know you well, Rolcau. Tho lady is flafo with us. Wo will do more wo will accompnny you to the walls of the city itself, so that you may bo safo from any of our brotherhood." Under tho walla of Gretzhoffen it self they met a troop of tho king's horse, riding out for practice Their officer was not unknown to Count Frederick nnd for that matter, tho leader of tho bandits, Laudozi himself, bcemed not unknown. Loitering along, they rodo now up to tho city's gates, Yet another event transpired be foro tho two parties separated near tho city's gate An additional party of horsemen, riding hard from tho des ert, appeared nono lens than Count Sachlo, a friend or two aud n small group of retainers! "Sachlo!" exclaimed Count Fred erick. "My friend, jou como but just In time" "I may well bellovo It," said Sachlo dryly," gazing at tho assemblage about "At Last We Have Itl" him. "Had I met this gentleman," ho nodded toward Laudozi, with whoso Identity ho wns well enough acquaint ed, "pel haps I might havo needed greater argument." "All is w ell that ends well, my good Sachlo!" oxclalmcd Count Frederick. Do my guest instead of my host. Rldo with mo now to my own homo and at nnother day I will return with you to your hunting lodgo." "You know this lady?" naked Sachlo aside, nodding towards Kitty. "But sllfehtly," rejoined Count Fred erick. "And jou?" "But slightly," umlled Sachlo, and ho told uo more. "Who la oho?" nskod tho captain o tho troop, Botto voco, of Roleau. "I tell you all, my friends," answered, that sturdy soul. "Sho la a hlghnesa from abroad, an excellency. Tako no. . liberties horo. Sho goes to tho palace-v bho is to ineot tho king." (TO DC CONTINUED.) i V J : r. - m iwl rM-yMlMfciwM(iiiumiiMllMlIM jgggMttwttajoaiW WW;