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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (March 30, 1916)
, & f, tf -h. ' ? f " RED 0 LOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF N TQV-''.....&..?.t. Cj The Broken Coin A Story of By Mystery and mr AClVentUre x (Copyright. 1915, by 8YNOPSI9. KlUy Ornr, newspaper woman, finds In a nirlo nliop half of a broken coin, Om mutilated Inscription on which urouirs tier curloMly nnd lends nor, at tlio onlnr of lirr muiiiiRlnc editor, to go to the prin cipality of UretzliofTeti to piece out tliu Blory HiiKROHlod by llio Inscription. Hhn Is followed, und on nrrlvnl In Urctzhnffen lior adventures wlillo dinning tlio secret of (ho brohon coin begin. FOURTH INSTALLMENT CHAPTER XV. If Your Majesty Please. In full vlow of tlio spectators, who now had loft tlio dancing door nnd gathorcd iu groups at n respectful dlu tnnco from royalty, Kitty received tho envolopo from tho moBHcnBor tho samo packet which bIio had herself eont to tho pnlnco that morning for delivery nt midnight. Blio did thio with n lino air of In eouclnnco, for hIio felt qulto euro that succoan now had met all her plana; nor did tho outward appcaranco of tho packet afford any rcnaon to bub poet othorwlso. Yet, oven as oho took tho envolopo in her hand, thcro came to her n sharp conviction that something was wrong. It had a strnngo lightness It did not seem qulto tho snmo ns whon sho her self had scaled it that morning. Has tily, eho opened tho envelope her lips comprcBBCd. It was empty! Yes, tho myatorlous coin wna gone Entrusted to tho safest messenger sho could find; Bent to tho king himself; received by tho klng'B trusted official; guarded, ns was to bo supposed, every moment of tho tlmo sinco It had left hor hands nono tho loss, tho coin had disappeared ns though somo specter hand had abstracted it. Tho blank book of surprlso which camo to her faco was something net to bo mistaken. King MIchnol frowned. "What is this, mndomolsellc aro wo mado tho subject of somo sport? How now?" Kitty stood regnrdlng first ono, then tho noxt of tho faces nbout her. On tho countonanco of Count Frederick ho road only chagrin nnd surprlso equal to her own. Thcro wna no traco of guilty knowledgo there bIio was euro of that. Then another band had como into tho gnmo! Somo othor mind bIbo wns Interested In tho mysterious coin of Grctzhoffon. "What then, mademoiselle?" do mandod Michael, himself not yet bo fully advised as others regarding tho nature of this packet which, had been Intonded for him. "What was it that you woro so good aB to lntond sending us?" Kitty dared not answer this direct quostlon. Sho concluded quickly that It would bo fnr safer to add as little as possible to tho number of thoco who know tho full story of tho travel ing coin. "Your majesty," said bIio. turning upon him bo dazzling a smllo as would hnvo.mndo any mnn forgot all else. "It was nothing! It was but n small favor I would havo sent your majesty, to Bhow tho acknowledgment of ray own country, since your majesty haa dono such honor to mo tonight. Per haps somoouo In my humblo menngo has boon unfaithful it so, it was but mall loss After nil. If your majesty will forgot it and glvo mo a few added days of grace, I will explain I will try again, I hopo with greater for tune." Michael was roady enough to agrco to anything which would bring back to his Bocloty this dazzling young cren turo who stood bcsldo him. "Very well, mademoiselle," said he, "as you llko." A certain relief was felt by all con cerned, as now ho turned nnd tnndo sign to tho leader of tho orchestra, who stood, baton poised. "With us, oxcollcnzn?" Tho king of fered his arm. Tho king and tho young Amorlcnn, of whoso origin ho know, and apparently cared to know, nothing whntovcr, wcro tho obsorved of all. Michael at least could dance, and as for Kitty, sho was an Ameri can girl. As thoy Bwopt on in tho evolutions of tho dance, Kitty caught sight of tho dark faco of Count Sachlo. That sho had earned this man's dis like, or at least, had deeply hurt his mascullno vanity, Kitty was well enough aworo. As for King Michael, ho was extra ordinarily sober; which, in his case, was equivalent to saying that ho was not extraordinarily happy. Count Frederick ovndod tho throngs about tho king. Unwillingly ho turned away his oyes from tho beautiful fig uro of tho young Auiorlcan ns eho danced. Ho never had scon a woman who thrilled him thus. Ho himself did not dance. This was no evening of ploasuro for lilni. Ho had other plans. Count Frodorlck started toward tho door boforo a socond thought camo to bis mind. If thcro should for any rea son bo mlscarrlago of his plans If thero should bo need for yet groator delay boforo his final overt net was committed then ho ought to havo a care to rotiUn some footing in tho u EMERSON HOUGH -a. . Grace Cunard W tight A. Patterson) king's good graces. Because, revolu tion or no revolution, tho throno ot Qretzhoffen was not worth having un less his owner had both halves of this missing coin. Frcdorlck cared not to bo a penniless king, and only tho unit ed coin could glvo any king of Qretz hoffen actual wealth and actual power. Tho murmurs ot tho people, vague, Indefinite, had from tlmo to tlmo been audlblo nt tho open door of tho grand entrnnco. "Why do wo starve whllo they danco?" They began to edgo towards tho pal aco stops, n dark, dense muss. Tho soldiery woro not eager to opposo them with steel. Tho soldiers wcro thcmnolvcs of tho people. Moreover, thoy had had smull cause for loyalty to tho king nnd court of Qrotzhoffen. Thoy woro HI paid and HI governed. Tho peoplo lacked leadership. Count Frederick had hinged hla own pinna of action upon ono event tho public dlsgraco of tho king and that event had not occurred. Ho frowned ns ho stood looking out over the dense masa which filled tho strcotH. Even ho began to feel, al most In splto of himself, snmo sort of a vnguo pity for theso loss fortunate ones. Still over tho voice of tho strings nnd rccda rose tho low mutterings of tho mob, otrango to hear, imposslblo to describe. King Michael heard this sound. All heard It, this volco of tho peoplo, as yot undecided. Tho king's faco paled teiror sinoto homo upon his soul. Tho courngo of his usual alcoholic stimulant being tonight denied him, his weak nerves gave way. Ho saw Count Frederick, now re turning to tho anion, from tho great entrnnco door. Tho latter saw tho tor ror on his monarch's faco, and recog nized on tho lnatant tho opportunity for himself to strengthen hla own po sition In tho king's good gracea. "Your majesty," exclaimed tho astuto nobleman, now ndvanclng and offering hla hand, "forglvo mo! I was In fault today In my conduct toward your ma jesty. 'Twas but a mad Jest of my own. Glvo mo but opportunity to provo my loyalty to your person and our country, nnd you shall not find mo lacking. Tho peoplo aro about ub yes, It is true thero la danger of rovolt, of revolution. I shall not at tempt to deny thnt; but glvo mo leavo "Come to Mo Tomorrow at My Hunt ing Lodge." to haudlo them, your majesty, and I prornlso you safety. I promlao you to send them away. "You nro Indeed my friend, after all, Count Frederick!" exclaimed Michael. "What you counsel seems wlso. Use your own discretion, but dlsperso them dlsperso thorn." Count Fredorlck, hastened to ad dress tho peoplo, who now halted, un certain ns to whnt movo next to mako. His own npents hnd boon among tho peoplo, and had mado knewn his own plans. Yot hero wns their mastor, evi dently, for some reason, disinclined t glvo tho word for actual outbreak, nnd now counseling calm consideration, dispersal. "My good people," begnn J.o, ns ho stocd ut tho head ot thu great stair way above them "hl3 majesty thanks you for tho honor yon lmvo dr.no him in coming out upon this occasion. He himself has found great plcasuro In coming horo to meet you tonight, al though ho aroso from a sick bed to do oo. Ho wishes you to bo calm In these K"BK&lLlllllalHflMH 'I - stirring days. Ho hn planned this great ball In order that you might seo tho equnmlnity of his own soul in theso events, so difficult nllko for a king and his peoplo to enduro. There fore, remain loyal to your king, whom I roprosont boforo you. Tho ballroom Boon will bo cleared. Lot tho streets also bo cleared. Qo to your homes. Walt, nnd depend on us who bnvo your truo wclfaro nt heart." Thoro surged up to him now tho figures of moro than ono mnn, some in uniform, from places In tho throng, in tho street. "What Is it what is wrong why do wo not havo tho order to march on tho palaco?" thoy domanded eagerly. "AH'b wrong," whispered tho Count them. "For Bomo reason, best known to himself, tho king is not drunk to night, but sober. His peoplo nro not turned against him on tho contrary, thoy seem to respect him moro than thoy havo dono for months thero would ho division nmong them if wo started a new revolt now. "Here, tako this gold, my friends," ho ndded, and stripped himself of somo considerable uumB he had brought with him. "It Is all I havo Olvo it to those who need It most. Tako thorn away from horo lot thorn go to the drinking places. Soo that those places nro filled now, and that mo toast Bhall bo 'Long llvo King Michael!" "Wo may not yet cry 'Long llvo King Frederick?'" Tho nobleman shook his hend. "Not yet," said ho. "They still shall cry 'Ixmg llvo King Michael.' That will do for tho timo at least." Count Frederick returned throuch tho great ontryway nnd rejoined King MIcLacl whero ho Btood. "Your ma jesty," said ho, "your peoplo are re turning to their homes." "Frederick, ray friend, my savior!" Tho weak king, his features working, grasped tho bands ot tho stronger man. "You tell me they will dls perso?" "Even new they do so, your ma jesty." Kitty, by this tlmo somewhat for gotten In tho klng'B vacillating mind, stood looking from ono to tho other of theso two. Ab sho read tho situa tion, it carried something of defeat to her. An Instant ago sho herself had dominated tho scene. Otherwise now; for Count Frederick gave her a somewhat sarcastic smile. It was tho timo of his triumph and of her discomfiture. "Mndomolsello Is distrait?" said ho. "Sho is not dancing sho will return to her hotel, perhaps? What can one do for mademoiselle?" Kitty turned toward him calmly. "If I might ask ono of you gentle men tv secure my car fcr mo?" Count Frederick smiled and bowed as ho turned away. Hut Kitty was not so soon to leave tho great Baton of tho palace that night. Sho passed toward tho entrnnco slowly, caught in tho crush and confu sion of others who wcro crowding cut In tho fiasco of tho much-vaunted blnck and whlto ball. Fcr the tlmo, sho found herself In tho shelter of a great column, whoro Bhe was willing euough to pause. As sho halted hero sho heard voices Just bohlnd her ono deep volco, which It seemed to her buo had surely heard before. "It Is a pity that tho affair did n it come off tonight, your excellency," sho heard another whisper hoarsely. "We havo everything In our own hands now I havo all tho plana of tho forti llcatlons, tho maps of tho avenues, tho specifications for each street crossing. It would have been entirely Bimplo for tho army of Grahofl'en to march tiirough tins rnmshacklo city as It liked." "Yes!" broko in tho deep volco which haunted Kitty's memory, "I uup Pcbo sc; but whnt would wo do it wo could not pay our trocpB tho noxt day? How much better off than Orctz hoffen would then bo our own case? No, Fredorlck is right in bis main plan. Tho throno alono 1b worth noth ing It Is worthless in hia kingdom or in cur kingdom, or In any othor a poverty-stricken kingship is no busi ness for any man. Why have you not a diagram of tho trcasuro's burial place with that, now, tho matter would bo somowhat different tonight." "Hush!" sho heard tho other voice whlspor. Apparently warned, at least, by tholr suspicions, thoy moved away, although Kitty shifted her own posi tion so that her presence was not known. Was It Count Sachlo's volco sho had heard was he, tho king's frlond, Count Frederick's friend, tho worst trattrr of all, and was ho also plot ting fcr tho rcstcrntlon of tho two lost bits of Grotzhoften coin? "Which way should sho turn now? To Frederick? Impossible. To Mi chael? Equally imposslblo. Tho two men whoso talk sho had overheard passed now from behind tho pillar toward tho interior cf tho palace. Apparently they woro known thero nnd welcome, for surely they woro not stopped by any of tho klng'B guards or chamberlains, nnd Kitty her self, equally well Identified, passed rendlly Just behind them. Kitty needed but ono glanco at tho man sho trailed to seo It was lndocd Count Snchlo whoso volco bIio heard. Tho men passed now to a llttlo room at ono sldo of tho main hall, which traversed that portion of tho palaco. A window nnd a door, both lightly curtained, oponed from tho hall within. Kitty, ns b!o drow up, could seo thom now Sachlo, and ono whoso Identity sho did not know. "Listen now," sho heard Count Gachlo'o volco boom out, slnco horo they felt themsolves qulto safo from Intrusion; "listen, whllo I toll you what Is tho real key to all theso mat tors. It is this document, boarlng on K l JfJiJiP Ett3&MKnL ysjBJLy vissll-ilsllrJll. jt&Ctbr?JfflbLTM Slowly, Deliberately, He Raised His Right Hand Above the Unsuspecting Girl. tho missing treasuro of old King Michael. Ho died rich, but llko a mlsor, ho hid his gold. Ho left a clue, yes I havo told you all of that. That duo was tho broken coin. "That coin was tho Bamo as a deed In tho old days. All transfers of realty, as you remember, wero mado on parchment, written In pen, nnd tho parchment always was cut in two pieces on a waving line. Tho seller kept hnlf tho parchment, tho buyer tho other half. And always it ran This Indenture witnesseth.' Tho 'Indenture' wna tho waving lino which divided tho parchment; nnd the parchment was proof of tho transaction, so each hold er hold half tho proof. "Now, this Indenture of tho broken coin of Qretzhoffen witnessed that Michael tho First had transferred to his pooplo his treasure .their treas ureho kept hnlf tho deed for him self, or for tho man who was to stand for himself. In some way he meant to glvo tho peoplo the other half that Is to say, the other half of tho Inden ture went somewhere, no ono to this day can guess whore except myself! "Theso papers of old told of tho tor turo chamber somewhere under the fort. Our maps cover that, but they do not mark tho spot of tho treasure's hiding. Only the old coin restored, in denture to Indenture tho one-half to tho other ever can settle that. "Now, look here, my friend," Count Sachlo held up beforo htm a llttlo ob ject, which caused Kitty to start whero she stood: It was tho king's coin! Yes, thero wna tho half coin which she with her own hands hnd sent for delivery to the king en tho dancing floor at mid night that night and Count Sachlo. by means which he only Knew, had been the thief! It now was plain to her Hero was ono more claimant for the treasuro of tho dead king of Gretz hoffen. Count Sachlo went on "This Is one halt only of tho coin. Alono, it doea not serve. I know well enough whoro lies the othor half. Within tho next twenty-four hours I will havo It I will havo both halves within my own hands. Then, my friend, wo shall seo what wo shall seo! Events will happon which will surprlso this part of tho world, at least. "Como to mo tomorrow at my hunt ing lodge in tho forest, nt tho edge of tho neutral lands. Thnt is the rendez vous of tho other half ot tho coin. I shall seek a messenger to sccuro It. I know well enough how. Havo our men thero, for I, Count Sachlo, will bo pro pared to show them nil tho reading of a riddle which has puzzled both these kingdoms for bo long." Had Kitty remained a moment or so longer sho might lmvo seen what tho conspirators themselves, nnxlous as they wore, did not seo. The faco of a strange man peered in at tho window of tho room which thoy occupied. Ho, too, could Beo now nil that Kitty had seen, although ho had not been no ticed by tho latter at tho tlmo of her dopnrture. Tho grand snlon by this timo wns well cleared, nnd Kitty mado her way rapidly toward tho main exit. Sud denly sho found herself fnco to faco with a llttlo group mndo up ot tho king nnd notables of his court. They too, for a Umo hnd been absent from tho grnr.d salon apparently fcr a cer tain purpose. King Mlchuol now did not lack tho stimulus of wine. "Our fnlr young American again!" ho ox clnlmcd, as ho camo. "What, mndo molsello has uot oven yet departed?" "It Is my fault, your majesty," said Count Frederick. "I promised to bo euro for her n car, but for the tlmo I lost stght of hor. Tho confusion has been so great that It has been difficult to find scrvico of tho usual sort" An fittendnnt of tho palaco escorted her to her car willing enough to con clude the events of the day. "Tomorrow," said sho to herself, as at length sho composed herself for a brlot slumber "tomorrow I must bo nt tho hunting lodgo of Count Sachlo onco moro!" CHAPTER XVI. Another Seeks the Coin. Debarred by his own station in life from participating In nny such func tion as tho Btnto ball, tho faithful Roleau had contcntod himself as best might bo by remaining at tho hotel until tho return of his mistress. Uy morning, as soon as he got word of her presenco in her apartments, ho sent word that he was In readiness to be at hor commands. "Roleau," she said to him when they met, "listen. Wo have still more to do. Thoro Is still another Journey across tho desert." "Whither, excellenza?" inquired Roleau. "To tho hunting lodge of the Count Sachlo tho same place whero you and I took tho part of two horso thieves, Roleau!" A few moments later tho two, once more provided with a speedy motor car, wero on their way down tho nvo nues of the capltnl "I think It might bo well to drive past tho two palaces," said Kitty Gray "We might pick up somo news there. First, let us go to the palaco of Count Frederick perhaps he Is not out this early." But, early th:ugh It was. Count Fred erick wqs astir wna Indeed ready for tho street apparently, as was also his guest, Count Sachlo. Even ns Kitty's car swept by the palace front they saw tho count nnd Sachlo step into their own car, which waited for them. "Quick!" said Kitty, sinking back deeper in the seat that she might not bo observed. "Drivo arour.d the block. Don't let them seo me." She motioned also to Roleau to conceal himself as best ho might. Their own rar, swing ing around tho corner, gave way for tho vehicle of Count Frederick, which sped on down tho street Once more, still undaunted Kitty directed her own car to pnsB around tho block and stop In front of Count Frederick's palnce. This wns dono In tho nick of time; for now, as they passed at lower speed, In order to havo tlmo for such examination ns thoy cared to make of the t'Mcrlor thoy saw a man in sjiiip sou ot official uni form walking from the fiont down the driveway for the side entrance of tho great building i'Stop"' eiird Kitty to Roleau"! know that man that is a frlond of Sachlo! 1 saw tho two of them to gether last night. It was to him Sachlo showed tho coin. I heard him tell this man whero tho nilbslhg half was Roleau, that man has geno to get Count Frederick's hnlf or tho coin!" "Certainly, excellenza," said the stolid Roleau. "Count Sachlo also means to put this and that together, does ho net? What can wo do? Is your excellency game to try ono moro entrance into Count Frederick's houHe?" "Yes," said Kitty. "Come let us see if wo can traco whero this man is going." Onco moro theso two presented themselves at tho door of Count Fred erick's abode, and were admitted with out question. Tho two passed without detention through tho main hall to tho passage way which Kitty knew so well. They followed down this narrow hall, bus peeling that tho destination of tho man whom they had seen nbout to enter was nono leba than Count Frederick's llttlo bedchamber. Their suspicion was correct. Even As they approached they heard some one In tho room who hnd arrived be foro themselves. Rclcau, followed closely by Kitty, stepped up to tho door peered in, nnd gave ono mighty bound. In the jowerful hands of Roleau, tho stranger, taken by surprise, was help less. Roleau clnpped a hand over his nuuth, nnother lo his throat, and held him until ho himself mndo tho sign of submission. "Silence!" hissed Ro leau. "Don't move ono word of alarm nnd I will end you!" "What aroN you doing hero?" do manded Kitty virtuously "what do you Heek tell mel" Tho man, gono sullen now, Icoked from ono to tho other, and knowing well enough what failuro would mean tor him, refused to speak. "Well, whatover it wna," bald he at length, "I havo not found It, At least, you como too soon." "I will tell you, excellenza," said Ro loau at length. "It will do us no spo clnl good to havo him Join yonder party of which wo know. I will tie him up, if your excellency will allow me." Accordingly he did kind the unto official of Grnhoffen neck and crop. "Quick!" oaltl Kitty. Stealing awny silently they left tho door locked and took with them tho key. CHAPTER XVII. At Count Sachlo's Lodge. Such speed did Roleau manage to got out of his own car that Kitty and ho arrived at tho hunting lodgo of Count Sachlo well in advance of all others bound thither that eventful morning) Kitty and Roleau moved about very much as they pleased after their entry. It pleased them best to hldo thorn selves in a small room adjacent to tho main hall where thoy fancied tho main events of the day would perhaps find enactment. A door and window made connection between theso two rooms, and behind tho curtains in tho smaller room thoy fancied thoy could bo suf ficiently concealed. Rut thero wero others who had an Interest In the events to occur In the hunting lodge of Count Sachlo thnt morning. Tho tangled skein of tho mysterious coin was expanding, draw ing in yet others. Hardly had Kitty and Roleau secreted themselves bo foro they heard footfalls under tho window of tho gnliery which ran along that sldo ot the chalet. Thoy won dered who might be tho author and what his purpose. It was somowhat later before thoy heard tho mingling of voices and the sound of footfalls. "Rudolph!" exclaimed Count Sachlo. "Why has ho not como? What has gono wrong?" Rut nono could explain to him why Rudolph hod not arrived nor at the time did cither Kitty of Roleau know who or what Rudolph might bo al though, as n matter of fuct, It was ho whom they themsolves had loft tied hnnd and foot in Count Frederick's palaco. Nor could any of theso pres ent know thnt before this tlmo Count Frederick himself, returning to hla palaco, had found yonder intruder, bound and left helpless, in hia own prlvato apartment. Tho man had mado such excuses as ho could by de claring that ho hud been robbed and thrown In tho room by a ruffian, as sisted by a beautiful woman. And Count Frederick, finding on the floor of his own npnrtmcnt a tiny handker chief, hnd needed scarce more than one guess as to who that young wom an had been. But as to all theso sldo scenes which had been enacted, Count Sachlo wns altogether Ignorant. Wheroforo he now walked up and down, now ex claiming his own doubts. His Irrita tion was obvious enough to Kitty ns sho peered through tho veiled curtain und strained her ears to learn what ho was saying Even as she stood Intent on what was going on In tho main room, Ro leau close at her sido, also absorbed tho author of tho stealthy footfalls on the gallery below tho window crept silently up nnd looked In upon them ns they watched a spy upon those who in, turn spied upon others. "So, sho is 'not nlone!" ho whis pered to himself. "That man with hor will mako a different proposition. Bo- BdHHHaBHMfliBPEv4' FjBBustsW In the Powerful Hands of Roleau tho Stranger Was Helpless. tween thom, they will tako away from Count Sachlo what I want for myself!" Ho slipped in now from tho gallery, through tho open window. Stealthy aa a cat, ho crept up Inch by Inch upon tho two watchers. "I toll you," cried out Count Sachlo, crabbing hla fist dowti ukju tho tablo, "there is no such thing na ex plaining a thing llko this! This fall uro can never bo Justified. I sent Ru dolph to get tho coin ho know whero It was ho wub not suspected by any oneI told him precisely what to do. Haa ho done It? No. And hero wo wait. It is something I shall not for got." Theso loud words caught Kitty's at tention. Sho pressed forwnrd eagerly, her flguro still half Bhroudod. Her own sonsea, strained as thoy wcro to catch what was going on In tho mnln room, weio less regardful ot what was going on Immediately about hor. Tho silent man who had spied upon them crept Inch by inch toward them Slowly, deliborntoly, ho raised his right hand nbovo tho unsuspecting girl, in thnt hand ho hold poised murdorous-looklng blade. P" (to na CONTINUED,) - V h i J