1 r6H RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF ! 'ij y TflE Broken Coin A Sf ory of Mystery and Adventure y EMERSON HOUGH From ihe Scenario &K GRACE CUNARD 8YNOP3l. Kitty Gray, newspaper woman, flmln In a nirlo hIkid lirtlf of n broken coin, tlio mutllntcil Inscription nn wliluh iitouhch hor nirliiHlly nml lends linr, nt tlio nnlcr of her innniiMliiK editor, to bo to the prin cipality of (Irrir.lioffon to tilcco out lliu tory niiRBritiMl by thn Inscription. Hlio In followed, (inil on nrrtvnl In Grctstliorfcn liar ndvonturca whllo clmnlnff tho Bvcrut of tho broken coin bonln. THIRD INSTALLMENT CHAPTER XI. The King of Gretzhoffen. "You majesty does ino honor." It was with simple dignity that tho young Amorlcnn girl spoko theso words to tho monnrch in whoso proa onco flho found horsolf fresh from hor Into adventures. "Wo could not too much honor bo charming n. representative of your grout country, my dear young lady," nald Michael. "Do not misunderstand mo, your majesty," resumed tho young woman. "It ia moro than posslblo I havo boon brought beforo you under falso pro tonscs. I am not a person of rank, am Indeed but a prisoner tnltcu yonder by outlaws. I J ut for tho wit of my sorvant I think I might havo been held for a ransom." "It woro largo ransom would bo fit for such hostago na yoursolf, ma domoiacllo. Whutovcr it was it would havo been paid, bad wo but known!" "I thank you, sire. PcrhapB thcro will bo no futuro need. In Booth, from tho way tho bandit chloftaln looked on another of our party, I would rathor think ho would prefer him to myself aB hostago." "Whom do you mean?" "The Count Frederick, Biro." "Again tho Count Frederick! . Ho oeraa always to como into my affairs." Tho annoynnco in tho king's faco was unmistakable "Ho has been much concorncd in my own." "How, madomolaollo?" "I must explain? Slro, I camo to your country only in my professional capacity I had no more urgent er rand than to find tho half of n certain missing coin. Tho other half had como Into my possession by chance. It waa my faucy " "What, n broken coin? You inter est mo. Madomoisollo, I felt from tho first moment that eventually wo would find sotno common ground of interest. A coin a broken coin I know of somo bucIj thine mvaolf. Thorn am current storlea about It. Seo, I havo ! It, for my good friond Frederick seems for somo strango reason to havo a ffjcy for it himself. Would you like, then, to seo it?" Kitty's eyes flashed In eagcrncBs. "Above all things, Biro! It would comploto my happiness to boo It." "Thou you shall, assuredly." Ho bowed in somewhat adiposo gal lantry aa sho extended her hand to ward tho pudgy palm In which lay the oujuci wiucu ior ucr nuiu sucn inter est. In a glanco sho mnv tho identity of tho missing half. Tho remaining words of tho inscription thoy woro there, sho wub sure. "Torturo cham ber trcaBurca of tho king;" it waa plain to her. Theso two pieces of motal jolnod would represent a story worth tho having. "Do you not deslro it, then?" Tho olco of tho monarch carried a cer tain reproach. "Deslro it, your majesty! I should deslro nothing bo much in all tho world. With both halves In my hand sire, I Bhould feel that tho world was mine." "Why not gratify that wish then, madomoisollo? Listen. Count Fred erick desired tills very trinket for n lady, ho Bald. Hero Is a lady who do Blroa It for herself. Why should wo not glvo it hor why should wo not havo right as good as his?" "You canuot moan it for mo?" "But yea, precisely! And listen, my dear young lady. Thoro Is something about this broken coin which begins to annoy mo. Count Frcdorlck is al ways referring to it for one reason or another ho has Bomo motive which I cannot divino. Now, of lato I havo bad abundant troubles, many persona who importune mo. In theso sorioua times, tho people being so discontent ed, we have matters of moro Impor tance than to triflo with this trinket, as I say. You desire It. It borcB mo. Who bettor than yourself Bhould own It if you like?" Kitty stood looking at him, scarce believing what he said. King Ml ohaol went on: "Two things Interest mo today, my dear lady. First, how to quiet my people; tho second, to discover boiuo fashion which shall keep you horo in our own country, interested and use ful. I am convlncod of your own wis dom, your own Justice your own ex perience in your land as to law and liberty and Justice. Bomotlmoa out of tho mouth of a woman a lady of rank, of oxporlonco ono might learn tho better how to carry on tho duties of a Btatc." "And tho duties of tho state would coflYicHr. sx ay wmetri. pArrztjot dlnposo your majesty wholly to tho good of Ills people?" "Precisely. It Is na I would havo said It, mademoiselle You Americans arc extraordinary." Kitty took from hln hand tho broken bit of motnl and regarded It thought fully. "I thank you moro than I can toll, your majcflty," said sho, soberly. "It Bhall bo my mission to find out for your peoplo tho uncompleted messago of this coin " A silver bell sounded afar In tho hall, announcing tho approach of a servant. An official of tho palaco en tered and stood motionless noar tho door. "What then, Andreas?" "Tho Count Frederick of Gretzhof fen; tho Count Sachlo of Grahaffcn." "Let them enter, Andreas." Both gentlemen bowed dooply na thoy entered and ench klsse'd tho royal hand respectfully Kitty Ig nored Count Sachlo and bowed but coldly to Count Frederick. Count Frcdorlck, In whoso mind seemed to linger but scant remem brnnco of any unpleasant scenes In which ho had llgurcd, smiled now, and nfter tho American fashion, na he fannied, held out his hand. Kilty could not rofuso it. Quickly sho shifted tho broken bit of coin from hor right hnntl to hor loft quickly, but not bo quickly na to es cape tho keen eyes of tho man who faced her now. "Count Sachlo, you nro wolcomo from your kingdom to ours. I bollovo you havo never heard of tho young American of distinction who has como among us of Into you havo not mot?" Kitty looked calmly at tho count and mado no reply. "Pns encore, votro majesto," replied Sachlo In tho common languago used JsBaTaBBBBBBBftBBBBBBlBBAlBBBBBBB V ""riiiiiiiSiiiVHbiiBiB P "' lllllllllllllllHillllllllB IBmKNiKllBBBlBBBBBBBVwilBBBMl The Man Listened Respectfully and Took the Missive. at court with Btrangcra present. "Not yet." Ills faco flushed deeply as ho lied. "Ah, very well, thon it Is time. At tho ball perhaps wo shall all bo pres ent. Mndomolsello, your invitation Bhall como from ub duly." Kitty took this to bo her dismissal, and with deep thanks and tho best curtsy sho could muster, bowed her- Bou irom tno room, nrtor to bo es corted by a gravo official to hor car. CHAPTER XII. Defore the Ball. In her hotel, albeit something of a subject of gossip, na alio herself could not but know, Kitty felt herself at least safo from any such occurrences na of lato had bcon hor lot. Roleau still was missing. It waB tho morning of tho great black und white bnll whon Kitty, hor gown finally in hor own possession, stood beforo tho tall mirror in hor rooms to glvo It its final proving. Tho cuso on hor dressing table now held but a fow slmplo rings and broochca, trifling things which had been given hor or which from tlmo to tlmo sho had purchased for her self Tho only thing of valuo which lay upon tho tablo was something which sho most wished to conceal, and not to display. Tho broken coin how could Bho make suro that It would bo eafo? Kitty swiftly conceivod a plan which she fancied would afford greator safo ty for tho cherished coin. Thero was at hand no machinery of coromony, even hnd Bho been familiar with it. "Tho simplest way la tho best," said bho to herself, hor llpa compressed. Sho sat at hor desk and Inclosed tho broken coin in a doublo shoot of papor. Upon ono Bhcot Bho wrote theso fow words: "Your Majesty, tho young American woman so honored with this gift neks Its satokoeplng for a Uttlo tlmo." Bho added no signature, but on the onvclopo tho best tho Hotel Rltz could furnish her Bho wrote a slmplo address: "For tho King, at tho Koyal Palaco, to bo delivered at twelvo mid night promptly." In fault of hotter messenger, Kitty telephoned now to tho bureau of tole grupha and asked for a reliablo ines Bonger. Whon prcaonlly ho came she entrusted thla missive to him with oxpresa instructiona that ho should leavo it in tho hands of some chosen Borvnnt of tho king who would bo suro to deliver It nt tho hour of mid night of that very day. Tho man listened respectfully, took tho mlsslvo, and started for tho door. Passing, ho almost ran ngalnst a gen tlemnn in the hall, and dropped his en velopa na ho did bo. "Your pardon," exclaimed tho gen. tlcman, raising hla hat; and himself picked up tho onvclopo. Tho messon gor did not notlco his fingers quickly closing upon It, feeling It hero and thero aa ho presented it to tho bearer. Itcllovod now of this caro, and sat isfied that hor plan would provido for tho safety of thla prized possession for that night at IcaBt Kitty pussed on to other rnattcra. Of what use, after all, waa half thla coin, whllo tho Count Frederick Btlll retained tho other half taken from her by force, by vlolencn? Sho stood for a tlmo, her fingers nt her lips, engaged In thought. "I am going direct to Count Frederick him self and ask him for tho other half of thu coin. Ho knows tho king has given mo I1I3 half perhaps ho will re lent und let mo match tho king's half of tho Gretzhoffen coin." With her to think waa to act. A half hour later, ready robed for tho street, sho waa In her car and on her way to tho palaco of Count Frederick. They know hor at tho count's palaco now or thought they knew her and bo no questions wero asked when sho applied at tho door Pending tho com ing of tho count, who waa nt homo, aa sho learned, Bho was shown to a re ception loom close to tho entry door. As sho sat hero, sho heard footatepa approaching, heard voices In conver sation. Sho know that Count Freder ick waa thero, but not alono. Kitty listened shamelessly for now Indeed all waa fair in war for hor In caso llko thla. Sho heard Count Frederick nddroaa hla companion aB "My Lord Mlnlater," and again aa "Danlalaw," bo know that it waB none other than tho prlmo min ister of Gretzhoffen with whom ho was conversing. "My friond." sho heard a hard, in clsivo voice declaro, "this ball tonight la tho crowning mistake of the entire year. It may mean tho ruin of Gretz hoffen. I tell you, Count Frederick, revolution la In tho air. The peoplo uro demanding tho answer to all tholr sufferings, to their poverty, their anxieties. That an8wer, If wo do not tme every means to chango it, surely will be written red!" "Hut what plan do you propose, my lord minister? What can I do?" "Ono thing. Let mo bo blunt and brief havo tho king sober tonight! I shnmo to say thoso words but thoso are my words to you. Havo our mon arch whom wo revorenco aoher to night! if the peoplo bco him drunken, If thoy find him careless, Indifferent, In times llko thla pouf! revolution. I tell you, and tho answer written with tho pen of blood." Count Frederick apparently paused at this. Thcro was n hint of Bomo thing suppressed In his voice when at length ho did reply. "My lord minister, I'll see tho king!" Kitty thought that now they clnsped hands. She heard tho prlmo minister departing, each giving tho other for mul words of courtesy. Now Bho heard Frederick calling to his servants. "Ilublnoff, Franko any of you ras calswell, you, Ilublnoff. Go at once to tho apartments of the Count Sachlo and nsk him it ho will join mo at onco." Kitty, still trembling in suppressed oxcltcmcnt, waited yet longer beforo declaring horself. Sho hoard Prorinr. lck pacing up and down In tho room, muttering to himself heard also after an lntermlnablo Interval tho footsteps of another In tho hall heard Freder ick greet him. "Ah, Sachlo, you nro welcome in deed. Wo havo nows for you, my friond nows that may go well with our plans." "Command mo, my doar Frcdorlck." "I ask you, my dear Sachlo, to do an easy, pleasant and Interesting task. It Is no moro than to go this after noon,, to win In some fashion into the prcsenco of King Mlchncl tho Second, our beloved monarch whom wo both rovorenco! and thon and thoro, by what means shall seem most expedi ent, to induce him to drink moro wino than ever ho did in ono day in his ltfo." Count Sachlo laughed loud and long. "For what purposo, my good Fred erick?" ho inquired at length. "For a plain and doflnlto purposo! Listen. As you know, I havo bad my eyes on tho throno of Gretzhoffen slnco tho death of tho old king. That throne la rightfully mlno, and will bo mlno. This land Is full of dlscontont like your own, yonder. The peoplo com plain. They are on tho very vorgo of revolution at thla moment. Thla great ball tonight tho thought of its ex ponso has enraged our peoplo. Now, If tonight they seo our beloved mon archwhom wo both rovorenco In hla usual or moro than hlo usual stato of Intoxication thon thoro'a tho match to tho powder mill. Tho revolution is begun. Tho explosion ia mndo. It will be too lato, thon. Tholr wrath ngalnst tho weak Michael dissipat ing, wasting their substunco for them will bo unappoasable. For th rest At the Black I havo made my plans. My own regi ments will bo faithful. Thu regiments of tho king aro none too faithful. Tho banditti of tho desort nro with ub. To morrow thcro will bo a now king in Grotzhoffen, and thnt king will bo Frederick tho First." Kitty Hllppod from tho room. Tho hall waa empty. An Instant later sho was out of tho great entry and passing to her car. At her hotel onco moro alio hurried to hor room. Hero waa somewhat to bo dono. Sho know tho plot now nil wna plain aa to tho Intentions of Fred crick in regard to tho kingdom of Gretzhoffen and to the monnrch who held tho throne. "Your majesty," Bho wrote In hor rolling hand now, "tho young Ameri can bo much honored by your gift which la returned to your caro at mid night tonight hna by chanco learned of a plot to injure your majesty and to injuro tho kingdom of Gretzhoffen aa well. Truat her to explain when op portunity shall come. Meantime havo tho word of ono who la Bollcltoua for your safety. Drink no wino. Beware." Onco moro sho telephoned to tho bureau of telegraphs, called for a mes senger, and sent her slmplo missive to tho king. CHAPTER XIII. A Prisoner. Having dispatched her messages, Kitty Gray eat nlono onco more in her room. Thero camo to her mind onco more tho reflection that now sho had not even ono portion of tho broken coin. As to that which had gone to tho king, sho felt fairly sure that she might regain it. As to that which had been taken from her by forco by Count Frederick, Bho waB far aa over from its possession. "Tho simplest way is tho best," said sho onco mpro. "I'll go back there again." "I was not so fortunate as to find monsieur the count at homo before," Bho explained to tho attendants who met her nt tho door. "Monsieur tho count has gone out but now." A sudden resolution en me to Kitty's mind even us a sudden flush enmo to her cheek. "So? Then I will wait hla coming. If you please, tho apartmenta of mon sieur tho count." Tho innn left her, and sho closed the door. An Instant later Bho was at work turning over the articles on tho dresser, peering hero and thero, look ing this way and that and unsuccess fully. Dut meantlmo tho attendant who had left her, anxious to bo of scrvlco to his master, sent out posthasto to summon Count Frederick to hia re turn. Ho met tho count himself, and yet another attendant, upon tho point of entering tho palace. The newcomer was talking to tho count excitedly. "Excellency, I tell you the woman Is outwitting you. Sho Bent her half the coin this very morning sent It to tho king by special messenger. I saw It I felt it In tho envelope, I am suro. Thero la somo plot afoot And I brought tho nowa aa soon as possible, but have searched for you long." "Como," said Frederick, and ho hastened tho moro when ho met tho messenger advising him of Kitty's presonco in tho palaco. Her Bcarch still uncompleted, Kitty hoard footsteps npproachlng, and turned desperately llko somo trapped animal. Thoro waa no escape tho narrow window, aa she know, was two stories abovo tho court below. And oven ns sho stepped to tho door sho met thero the smiling, snrdonio faco of Count Frederick hlmaelf. Tho honor is mine, mademoiselle!" said ho with ley politeness. "True, I bad not expected you." Shamefaced, confused, for onco un ablo to raako any explanation, Kitty could but stand and stare at him. An instant later she heard the click of tho lock and the passing of footsteps In tho hall onco moro. Sho was alone! Sho was a prisoner! Sho sat alone, helpless, unanswered In Bplto of her pounding on tho door, her cries for help, until sho was utter ly weary until tho shadcB of night camo. Sho looked at hor watch. The hour was npproachlng eleven. Tho great black and whlto ball was now In prog ress nt tho winter palace across tho city. Sho went to tho window and looked out into tho night All tho court was dark save ono window dlroctly below hor on tho opposite side, fifteen foot below, ton feot across tho narrow courtway. Even aa she looked down and White Ball at it sho saw a face thrust out a faco upturned towards hor "Roleau!" sho exclaimed "Can It be posslblo? Roleau, help mo!" Kitty extended her nrms nppcnllngly "I am a prisoner hero they have locked mo in thero Is no way out. Help mo!" Roleau's own prcsenco In tho palace sho did not ut tho moment undertake to oxplaln. As a matter of fact, ho had but that day come In from tho camp of tho banditti, whero ho had boon detained. "Walt," ho cried. "I will show you." An iron grating, with the stairs of a lire escape, led down dlroctly In front of Roleau's window. Ho camo out upon this, braced hla lega acrosa, and back under the rail, and held out hla mighty anna. "Jump," ho cried; "It la safe." An instant later sho wna on tho Iron grating and Into the window, and Ro leau, gaunt, unshaven, smiling, hor friend and rescuer, had led her to tho door. "Come," ho snld, and without paus ing for nny discussion, ho hurried out, sho following. "It is lato, Rolenu." whispered Kitty back to him. "It la eleven o'clock. Tho king goes to tho great ball at midnight Hurry. I must bo thero. Quick!" CHAPTER XIV. The Ballroom. In his own apartments that evening Michael the king had passed tho tlmo In somewhat preoccupied fashion. Left alone, and hence unhappy In hla coun sels, ho welcomed the announcement of tho chamberlain who advised him of the presenco of the Count Sachlo of Grahaffcn, who wished to pay his com pliments to the king, "Come then, my dear count. ' said Michael to him. "You aro vory wel come at this hour. You will havo a glass of our own vintage 1 havo a cask of Lucoyen which Is quite worth whllo." "With all my heart," said Count Sachlo Tho attendant removed the cork from tho bottle reverently, poured slowly, gently, the amber fluid Into tho tall glasses upon the table. It was at that moment that King Michael be thought him of a certain messago handed to him but left until now un opened, lie frowned as ho looked at tho word. Irreverent when addressed to royalty, and urging hnsto. "Im portant." Ia it so? What shall I do, my dear count? Throw It away?" Count Sachlo east a glanco upon tho Inscription , "Your mnjesty," said he, "It Is In ' tho hand of a lady. By no means throw away any letter a woman writes to you and by no means write ono yourself. Am I not good coun sel?" Smiling. King Michael broke open tho small hotel seal, frowning aa he did so at what seemed to him unduo familiar ity on tho part of someone, he knew not who. nut aa his eyes ran over tho fow lines of tho message hla ex prosslon suddenly changed. Tho worda remained deeply written on hla mind. "Your majesty young Ameri can , drink no wine." Count Sachio looked on respectfully, his glass urrested, naturally venturing no comment King Michael mado no effort to turn tho conversation. Ho left hla wino untastcd! "Indeed, our peoplo also aro grow ing In audacity," went on Count Suchlo presently. "Hut I pledge your maj esty a long and happy reign." Ho raised his glass and waited. "Drink heartily, good Count Sachlo," said King Michael. "Aa for myaelf, I havo dined but lately, aa I Baid. Tho doctors say dreadful things to mp. You excuse me?" He had poured but a small portion in bis own glass, and raised hla band against moro. Sachlo waa obliged to admit to Count Frederick, whom now ho early sought that ho doubted tho full suc cess of his errand. "Leavo him then to mo," ex claimed Frcdorlck "ho never falls to do as I ask. Make ready for tho ball time presses now. 1 myself will hasten to see tho king befoie bo leaves for tho winter palaco." Frederick, making urpont excuses now to entor tho apartments of tho king after his arrival, found the mon nrch In tho same apartment, stolidly regarding tho now empty bottlo of wino. A certain idea came to tho brain of Michael, tho king, as ho now ac knowledged tho visit of. Count Fred orlck nt bo lato nn hour. If this messago had warned him not.fco drink wine then thero must bo someone in tho wDrtd who wished him to driak wine. Why? Who was thnt person? Might It not bo this man here Count Frederick tho man whom really ho feared? If bo, would not feigned In toxication serve well to discover tho other's nature? Reasoning thus, King Michael with small exertion of histrionic nrt man aged to glvo an excellent Imitation to hla friend of a monnrch far gone in wine. Frederick, pleading fntlguo and thirst, plied him farther, and Michael apparently yielded, using still such arts aa served him for tho timo be ing. When, not too long beforo tho ap pointed hour of midnight, Frcdorlck left tho palace, ho left behind him as he was assured, a monarch hopelessly fuddled. So the lights flamed on nt all tho windows of tho Winter palaco. Suddenly tho music broke, crashed and swept Into tho national air. A murmur went nbout! Tho king! Tho danccra hastened back to tho sides of tho room. All eyes turned toward tho great entrance Under tho festooned llngB, escort ed by his uniformed officers, himself wearing all his decorations nnd garbed as a king should he, thcro appeared Xing Michael of Gretzhoffen. Tho hour of midnight struck. Tho eyes of moro than ono man on tho great dancing floor Including thoso or Count Frederick of Gretzhoffen looked nt the king amnzed. Hero waa no staggering monarch, maudlin In hla cups, como to mako a bpectaclo of himself before hla peoplo. No, ho walked straight as any And behind him from tho street thero camo not shouts of derision, but something of welcomo, of confldenco a pitiful ex pression of a peoplo willing yet long er to enduro a king. At tho king'a hide, hor hand on his arm, thero walked the flguro of a tall and beautiful woman, arrayed aa wero all thoso othcra present in a costumo of black and white a tnll young woman whom not many of thoso present recognized. A few passed tho word, "Tho American!" Tlio music of tho royal anthem ceased. An instant and tho orchestra broke out onco moro In tho sensuous strains of a southern waltz. King Michael ns yet did nut dance, but ha gnvo word that tho bnll should pro ceed. A uniformed officer of tho court now approached Count Frederick as ho stood not far removed from the royal presence. "Monsieur, tho count," said ho de ferentially, "I havo had for some hours in my possession this package which 1 havo not opened. It Is markod to bo presented to his majesty at mid night here. Do you think it should be delivered?" Even as they Bpoko the king him self, accompanied, In accordanco with his request, by the young woman who - ' I BIB'' iisHMfliiLKaiflaLaLHK il 't qPjBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBI !KVtVBatatatatatatai e iw '"i 3sll)BHLLLLLLLaH ' I '$Erfc?- " v 4iaBaBaiBBaBaH '' ' S f" I ji"tiiiiiiiiBBi M Wk s ISiiiBiBflHHyKMZ&'i She Heard Frederick Calling to His Servants. had entered with him, approached Count Frederick. Ho raised a hand to beckon to .tho official. "Your majesty," whispered Kitty Gray, "that Is tho package which I myself sont you thU morning tako it quickly I marked it for you at mid night." "Shall I optm it for your majesty?" Count Frederick bent forward polite ly. "No," said Michael. "I know the ono who sent It Let herself open it now!" Kitty broke tho slmplo seal upon tho plain envelope In which sho bad enclosed tho coin that morning. She smiled at Michael radlautly now, and at Count Frederick, though not ra diantly. The danco swept on, tho crash of reed and brass filling tho arched dome of tho great salon. In through the great doors camo tho cries of those not splendidly garbed, thoso who stood without tho palaco "Long live tho king!" Rut tho king stood curiously renard- ing tho chango in expression which ho snw on thov faco of tho young iwuuncaii. "Well, then, madomoisollo?" said he 'J. a 'ft (TO BDl CONTINUED.) ' vtiwiog- e ar"i WW!-" 1 tm Mi i i . ' -mwy