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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1916)
. - .- -swrfrA gibMUii J RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF Hi 6Ke BROKEN COIN A EMERSON HOUGH 8YNOPSIS. Kitty Orny, ncwnpnpcr wonmri. finds In curio shop luilf of u broken coin, tlio tmitllatid Inscription on which uniusi-M lnr rurloilty imil loudi her, nt tho order of her tniinuKliiK e-dllor, to bo to tlio prln olpullty of Uri'Uliorfpii to pleco out tlio utoiy hiikki tul by tlio Inscription. Hho is followed, ami on urrlvnl In (Irutzhoffen dor mlvutitilrcs whlln UmsliiK the urut of tlio blolu-n toln licqlu. THIRTEENTH INSTALLMENT CHAPTER XLVI. By Process of Elimination. Tho wenpon of tlio renegade loader lllako was aimed utondlly ciioiibIi. Hut tlio fraction of tlmo In which Holcau changed tho poHltlou ho had takon save tho llfo of ouo man und cost that of another. It wan tho follow tulof, Blako'B com rade, froflh from tho rendezvous, who foil undor tho bullot Intended for Ho loau himself. Blako sprang forward, groping un dor covor of tho stnoko, to And tho body of his onomy, stoopod, pauaod, prang back It was not Holcau, but bis own man whom ho had slain! Rolcau by this tlmo, with no moro than a quick llnah of solf-congratula-tton at his unoxpectod safety, had sprung away. Dlako callod out to hla followers and Btarted aftorlloloau. Ho did not meet him at tho outer open ing, but ran Into tho arms of tho band of gendarmoa who had followed Ho loau hither. Soolng tho ronegado, pistol In hand, 1 and knowing that ho had flrcd tho ahot JuBt heard, tho sergeant Bolzcd upon tilako and disarmed him. The apacho leader fought with all the bit tor desperation of his kind when cor norcil, crying aloud for help. Ills crloB brought others of tho band, who Joined in tho meleo, bo that tho Issuo for a tlmo was In doubt as between tho lawful and tho lawless theso last two factions who woro locked in strug glo by reason of tho fortunes) of tho missing coin. At this juncturo Holcau flung him solt into tho conlltct. Ills giant strength provod such aid that finally tho Borgcant and his men had sub dued not only lllako tho leader, but othors of his band. As for Holcau, ho stood grinning at tho turn of events and making no further attempt at es cape Neither did tho olllcer mako any movement to apprehend him again. "Como with mo, then, my friend," said tho olllcor. "You liavo fought well for mo. Wo shall seo what wo hall boo." Wherefore Rolcau, no longer undor eaplonago, wont back with the gendarmes toward th6 headquarters of tho prefecturo. Much of this was noted by Kitty Oray horsolf, who arrived upon tho acono in tlmo to witness this not un happy end, of bor own quest. Count Frorr1he5ceiario By GRACE CUNARD ivin hvv copypionr. 1915. wpioht a. Patterson NovelUiJ from thu Motion 1'lcturo Or.unu or tho Humu Name, Produced by tlio Unlvt-rH.il Film MunufuuturliiK Company pllcatiiig factors hero in his own busi ness of llmllng a victim for tho law. "What do you say now to this, slr7" ho accosted Holcau. "I Bay now, your oxcolloncy, that yonder thief and leador of thlovos, who tried to kill me, knows all there Ib to bo known of tho murder. Ho can tell, If ho llkos, or It ho docs not like Ho wanted thero what wo wanted wo will call It a Jowel that ho sought In her gracious excellency's rooms. Ho guessed that It might havo valuo with person high In power In thlfl country. That Is why ho followed us; that Is why murder was dono there They all Bought something, and wo know what It was." "You aro tho accused," Bald tho pro tect, turning swiftly to Blake, his own decision made. "What havo you to say? Why do you not speak? Con fess that you know tho socrct of yon der murdor tlio motlvo for which wo oursolvcH now know. I know you, niako. Your band Ib brokon now. How do you wish to spend tho rost of your jlfo would you purchaso a fow more moments at tho prlco of a confession of tho truth? PerhapB that may bo, when you havo tasted tho dungeon away from that drug you cravo for a fow hours." "I will confess," suddenly exclaimed tho king of tho apaches, IiIb faco gray with terror. "I will toll you every thing only glvo mo it." "Thon you killed the man In yonder room?" lllako tried to speak, but only nod ded, Then at length, hoarsely, "It is as ho Bald. What can I gain by delay or by denial? Glvo mo that! Glvo me It! I confess it all." "What was your motlvo, then, lllako?" "You heard It. Ho told you. I wanted what thoy had tho coin tho Grctzhoffon coin." "As to tho coin, your honor," broko In tho deep volco of Count Frederick at this tlmo, "I submit thoro is no need of examination of anyono in re gard to that. Tho prefect looked at him, willing to punish any who cast slight upon his power, but knowing himself help less. Count Frodorlck smiled icily In turn. "Shall wo throe bid you good day, your honor?" Tho perfect bowed politely as ho might. Count Fredorlck only Bmllod, and turned toward tho door. Ho stopped back, gravely, allowing Kitty Cray to pass. After her followed tho faithful Holcau. Frederick smiled again, and looked nftor tho two not unhappily, nlthough ho saw whero tho greater al legiance of his former sorvant now lay. 'At laBt, Holoau!" oxclalmcd Kitty, eagerly, whon finally thoy two wero alone at their hotel. "Wo aro free, all of ub you, and I, and" i"1 JlKLiiiKsiiiiiiiiiiHLiVlk&LiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiH -. . u. if, iLiiiiflsiBtiiiiiVsiiiB find Romo solution to the problem of finding the coin. Whero was It? How could It bo gained? Upon Count Sarhlo moro than upon any nobleman of tho court this question rostcd griev ously. Ho enlisted Ihoroforo as his confederate a man bolonglng to tho socrct pollco In Qrahoffcn, Ladtslaw, a cunning chap with courage. "Ladlslaw," said ho, "wo must go to Grotzhoffcn nt onco. Tho coin Is there Either that young woman has it or Count Frederick, or tho king. Tho latter Is most likely of tho three." It ciuno out much ns Sachlodiad rea soned. In tho contusion now prevail ing In Qrctzhoflcu tho two passed, un challenged ovon to tho palaco door. An for tho king, ho was by this tlmo well forward in his wine Ho received Sachlo and his friend readily enough. Ltttlo it mattered to him who came, for all wero wolcome Ho roproi od for his hesitation tho chamberlain who announced Sachlo. "Let him como to us," said he. "Lot them all como. Thoy nro wolcomo. Sachlo? yes, many a bottlo wo two havo split togcthor." Not ouo, but moro than ono bottlo, forsooth, did thoy two split botweon them now, and meantime Ladlslaw, secret agent, unnoticed, was hero and thero, in this room and others, unmo lested, as a friend of tho king, and busy with purposes of his own. In tho chambors of tho king all was given over to wluo and boastfulnoss. Thoro was ono who did not accopt thus lightly tho lssuo of tlio day. Count Frederick of Grotzhoftcu, most serious of mind by this tlmo, had turned his stops toward tho palaco, 'pondering many things meantlmo. It was now hla own dellbcrato purpose to domand somo decision of his mon arch ns to tho ominont entorprlso with which all Grotzhoffcn was soon to bo concerned. Ho had given orders, as an olllcor of tho army high In power, to moblllzo all tho forces ot tho king dom. And evon ns theso plans qulotly went forward- hero, King Cortlslaw of Grahoffen was pacing his floor, con sumed with wrath ot a sort not easily placated. "Listen, gentlemen," said he to his offlcors who gathorod about him after Sachlo had departed. "Why do you wait. Wo will win all, or wo will loso all today. March thon! Cortlslaw calls ovory man undor arms to Join tho colors now!" Thus, as Count Fredorlck mado lits way to tho palaco, tho military forces of both countries wero making ready for a strugglo which might soon en sue Ho passed almost without plan, toward that portion of the palaco whero ho know ho would find King Michael. Dut at a moment whon he was alono and passing near a door which mndo off from tho hall, he hoard voices ono volco which suddenly ho had conviction waB familiar to him tho deep volco of Sachlo of Grahoffen I Ho hold his breath that ho might catch ovory word that camo from tho room within. "Listen! Ladlslaw," ho heard Sachlo say. "What, did you tell mo that you had It? Glvo It to mo, in my hand! It cannot bo true" "Nono tho less, it Is truo," said an othor volco, that ot tho man callod Ladlslaw. Apparently ho hold out something which both regarded. "LndlBlaw, you havo won fortuno for us bopi. Thoro is no prlco can bo put upon this halt of tho coin. It is ours, at last." Cqunt Fredorlck smiled to himself smiled for an Instant only. "Yes, Sachlo," ho heard tho an swer. "Now if wo had our othor half hero, wo could Join tho two." "I do not need It," exclaimed Sachlo, exultantly. "I havo it in my head. I know tho reading of both. It tells ot tho secret recess under tho door of tho torture chamber." Count Frederick heard Sachlo laugh dcoply heard his volco onco moro, self-satisfied. "Novor again," said Sachlo, "will I abuso good wlno! It fuddled a king for our uso and bonoflt today." "You nro going there?" "Yes. To tho last hiding placo ot what wo seek." "It fB dark," Bald Sachlo, laughing lightly, and hesitating. "What Is thoro In thererf" "It might bo tho very torture cham ber of old GrotzhofTon, my dear Sa chlo! It might bo tho treasure cham ber of tho king hlmsolf tho old king! It might bo hero that wore concealed tho treasures of Grctzhoffon Is It not truo? You know of them?" "1 havo novor heard ot thorn, my dear Frederick," replied Sachlo. "Not so, my friend. You havo half tho coin. It Is but counterfeit. Tho truo half that half which you sought In my quarters so feloniously Is In possession of another." "You moan that woneh that Amor lean" It was that Instant that the henvy hnnd of Count Frederick Bmoto him full In tho faco. "You shall not men tion hor!" ho growled; nnd tho next instant ho had Sachlo by tho shoul dors and was thrusting htm with all his power toward tho open door. It had all along boon his intention to im prison Sachlo hero in tho torture chamber. Tho noxt moment Count Frederick felt at hla back tho impact of another man. Tho threo struggled furiously. "Quick! Shoot him!" panted Sachlo, "Kill him! I cannot Inst!" "I am not armed," cried Ladlslaw. "Let mo search." Frederick folt tho hands of his now enemy feeling nt his pockets, search ing for somo weapon, and rejoiced that ho also at tho moment was unarmed. At least tho conflict would bo moro ovon now. But thoy woro moro than a match for him. Count Frodorlck folt an arm throttlo him, folt his oyes almost start from his head, folt his breath leaving him. Slowly slipping, inch by Inch, ho folt himself Impellod toward tho open door. Strlvo as best ho could, ho found hlmsolf unablo to re sist tho Joint attack of these two des porato men. A moment later ho heard tho heavy clang ot tho door bohlnd him. He was alono. Ho had proved tho victim ot tho plan which ho had Nil t j t PI j $t ty "Bv 4 QXaUBHl' H.4 .til I 1' f f i The Advancing Hosts of Grahoffen Were Met by a Sleet of Missiles. The Sergeant Seized Upon Blake. formed. Ho was locked In tho torture chamber of Grctzhoffon, that placo of horror which ho had reserved for his enemy. Ho had failod Ho had lost all all! Ho had been tho cause, per haps, of tho ruin of hlB country! CHAPTER XLIX. CHAPTER XLVIII. H Heard the Deep Volco of Sachlo. Frodorlck In turn found hlB own errand dono. Theso two llkowiBe turned toward tho Hotol do Villo. "Monsieur lo prcfoct," announced tho Borvant, when nt lust thoy had reached tho prcsenco of that ofllclal, "this man" pointing to Elako "fired on this other man and tried to kill him. That Ib what I do not uudor .stand." Tho sound ot tho ontranco of oth ors at tho otllce now attracted tholr at tention. "Your oxcolloncy," announced tho Bergeant, "those othora, tho young American Count Frederick" Tho prcfoct turned his gnzo upon ilho new urrlvals, ulffiBolt none too 'Well pleased. He found thorn but com- "And his oxcolloncy, lo Comto Frod orlck." "Well, yes, hlmsolf as well, then. Nor am I sorry that Is truo. I fancy perhaps 1 may havo boon unjust to film. Ho has dono much, uttor all, for mo, his enomy." "What, you, IiIb onomy?" grinned Rolcau. "Not in tho least Au con trnlro, madomolsollo!" "Tals-tol!" exclaimed Kitty, hor color rising onco moro. CHAPTER XLVII. To Arms. Dleporaed undor tho wrath of tholr savage sovorolgn, tho courtlors of Gra hoffen wore cudgeling tholr wits to In the Torture Chamber. Count Fredorlck heard them ap proach the door, and darted around tho nearest cornor. Ho know which wny Sachlo would go, and gavo him tlmo to establish a load. Sachlo went straight enough for a tlmo, guided only by his sonso of di rection, but nt longth ho halted, con fusod In tho pnssagoways which ram ified and spread this way and that. It was at that moment that Fredorlck. hlmsolf surprised, camo upon him sud denly. Tho two Btood for half an in stant, facing each othor. "My dear Frederick," oxclalmcd Sachlo, looking IiIb man fair In the faco with that courago which had moro than onco Btood him In such good Btoad. "How fortunatol I was Just on my way on an errand ot tho lclnir." "I know Bomothlng of tho wnyB bo low horo," Bald Frederick. "I have been hero ofton. Perhaps botweon ub wo may dlscovor what you seek. In view ot what bo recently has passod, it would bo easier for you to bo our onomy than our frlond is It not truo, dear Sachlo?" Sachlo mado no roply. Thoy walked forward, descending, advancing Into tho darkor portions of tho subtor ranoan passages. "By tho way, my doar Sachlo," said Fredorlck, at longth ho had Sachlo Just slightly by tho arm, and walked abreast ot him, bo thoro might bo not suddon treachery "thoro Is a room yonder whoro we havo long hidden our roedloval armor ot this palace Would you like to see It? It Ib Just beyond." Le Rol S'Amuse. It was not often in his muddlod llfo that Michaol had so full warrant to give rein to his impulses. Ho had not noted tho absonco of Sachlo or Ladls law. After a tlmo, his attendants, hesitating, told him that a woman was waiting to bo admitted. Her name was ouo which camo to his brain now above all othors. "Admit hor at onco, yes why do you delay?" Sho camo boforo him now, palo, downcast, almost trembling. Heavy enough had boon the burden of anx iety sho long had carried. Sho had como to tho king, but sho sought not this weak king's comforting. No, Bho had como hither in search ot tho man on whom oven tho king must roly. "Ah, madomolsollo," ho began, halt maudlin, "you havo como to us at last. Why wero you bo absurdly long? Wo havo grioved for you, and who would griovo tho king?" "Your majesty," Bald Rltty Gray, and halt Bhuddored as she gavo tho title, gazing as sho did upon tho bloat ed toco of this man who claimed to bo a king. "Your majosty, you aro moro than kind to romombor so unimpor tant a person." "Unimportant! Do not say that word. Unimportant whon nil wo havo thought of was yoursolf. What has molsello ago, an oxtra bottlo of Bcloc, and my majesty sent a man, Count Sachlo, yonder to bring It. My majesty do sires " "Sachlo horo I" "Yes, hero. You havo said that twice. Ho was horo, twice or onco I know not how many times. But now you nro hero, mademolsello, and that is enough. My majesty desires " Ho advanced toward her. Tho leer upon his puffed faco gavo hor swift disgust as woll as terror. With no purposo whatover, as ho stumbled for ward sho fled from tho room, fled she know not whoro. Without much plan, Kitty turned toward tho intorlor of tho palaco, and down tho long hall which boforo that tlmo Bho had explored. Something told her that Frodorlck, if ho woro horo in tho palaco now, had passed that way. Tho torturo chamber that dread spot! Must sho go thero to look for him? Sho sped on rapidly along these passagoways which sho had learned boforo. Through tho last deep sunken tunnol which led to the door ot tho torturo chamber itself sho passed alono, trembling with fear, and yet ro solved. Tho door was locked. Sho turned to soo tho koy upon tho wall. As she turned thoro camo to her a faint sound. Somcono was knocking nt tho door. Tho blood stopped at hor heart. Sho folt hor faco go cold. Had tho doad Indeed como to lifo? Was it in deed truo that somo hand from beyond the grave alono could point out the hiding placo of this treasuro? What could it moan? But the knocking at tho door grew bolder. Sho heard a volco a faint volco through tho stool facing of the Inner cavern. Trembling, sho fitted tho koy, gavo ono great push to open tho door, which yielded tho moro quickly to a power exerted within. Sho saw tho faint gleam of a light added to those of her own cnndlo; saw tho faco of tho man sho had sought! "You?" aho cried. "It is you?" Sho heard him answor calmly, slow ly, without agitation, as though all the tlmo ho had been convinced sho would como. "It Is ended," said Count Frederick at last, slowly. "Novor again will I doubt! I prayed for you, prayed that you should understand boforo I died. But It was meant for you to como for me, that I might know know as much as thoy who aro horo, who havo been my follows and my frlonds. Madcmol Belle I had Bald good-by to every thing cxcoptlng ono. Thero was that loft which no man should dio without knowing that exporlcnco which only makes llfo worth living. I havo dread crffull things, but now I bono. I must I shall hopo!" Ho stooped toward her now, nnd for tho moment each was careless of tho strango surroundings in which thoy stood. For a half moment tho heart of Kitty Gray was on tho point of sur render. "Monslour lo comto, for that wo havo no time now," said Bho gently "It was but chanco which brought mo hero." "Chanco? Yes, If fato, If tho hand of heaven mean chanco, I shall call It chanco, not otherwlso. I say that It was tho plan of fato long ago that you should come to mo. now nnd hero." "Wo havo cpmo close fo tho Bocret." Bald Kitty Gray slowly. "But wo havo como closer to perils." "Truo, moro than you know." "What do you mean?" "Sachlo waB horo It was ho and his man who thrust mo In horo, whero I had plannod to placo him. Thoy know It all all that wo do now, mado- Sachio himself has gono to kopt you away? though I am suro you camo as soon as you could." "Yes, your majesty, as soon as I could." "And becauso you havo heard of what wo have dono today, of how wo havo routod tho army ot yonder King Cortlslaw it was clovorly dono, madomolsollo, though 1 do say It" "And what of him who was with you, your majosty t" "Whom do you moan? Count Sa chlo?" "Count Sachlo? Was ho horo, your majosly? I moant another." "Ah, always jou moan that othor. Always ho scokn to como botweon hla king and his king's desiro," said ho, complalnlngly. "And what Is It that your majesty desires?" "Why, my majesty desires a many things, my dear," ho replied, In vinous I llborty. "My majesty deslrod, a while carry his news to his king. Wo aro aindono, madomolsollo! Thoro will bo war." "If war, then why do wo' wait hore?" sho demanded ot him. "War is what wo havo sought to avoid for this king dom by our own knowlodgo of tho coin. If it bo too lato why, thon, wo must fight Ah, how I wish I woro a man, that I might fight as well." "You havo fought woll for all of us, madomolsollo," said Fredorlck. "Wo havo ropulsod our onomlos. Would you repulso your frlond?" Sho mado no answor, but was away boforo blm In tho dark passageway. CHAPTER L. The Battle. Sachlo and Ladtslaw, as may bo guessed, allowed no grass to grow un dor tholr foot as thoy hastened toward their own kingdom, leaving behind thorn tho befuddled monarch who had no Idea that ho had entertained such vlpors. Thoy never rcachod tho confines ot Grahoffen kingdom; Instead they met tho army of Cortlslaw already afield and well across tho noutral lands. "Look!" cried Sachlo. "Cortlslaw Is afoot! By tho Lord! Yondor comes a real king." It was evon so. Soon thoy wero among tho ndvanco guards, tho sklr int&hcra of tho main force, which were advancing. In timo thoy woro brought to tho bodyguard of tho king hlmsolf, for Cortlslaw marched with his men, after the fashion of monarchs of old. Ho had put all his fortunes to tho test that day. "What! Sachlo," ho Bald, as ho grimly regarded that nobleman. "You havo failed again?" "No, your majesty, I havo not failed. I bring you success, at last." Ho opened tho palm which ho raised boforo tho eyes of his king. In It lay tho brokon half of tho Grctzhoffon coin. "Tho coin! by our lady! It Is oursl Bring it to mo closer. Glvo it to mol Let mo seo!" "Tho secret Is ours!" said ho. "Tho torturo chamber tho treasuro!" "It lies in the northeast corner of tho palaco, deep undor tho walls," Bald Sachlo. "Como, lot us march steadily, toward tho unsuspecting city of Gretz hoffen, governed by an addled king too far gono In his cups to suspoct danger of any aort a king novor strong, nnd now weaker than his wont at a tlmo when all tho forces of n real king wero needed." Thoy met no resistance nt tho walls of Grotzhoffcn Itself. Tho armlos ot King Michaol wero not In evidence Tho peoplo of Grctzhoffon ran this way and thnt, leadcrloss. "Whoro nro our forces?" thoy demanded. "Whoro Is tho army? Whoro Is tho king? Whero Is Count Frederick?" To theso demands came no prcsont answer. Tho forces of tho enomy ad vanced nlong the avenues. "Yonder It lies, your majesty," said Count Sachlo, pointing to tho castlo which thoy approached. "Deep bo neath tho walls yonder. In tho north east cornor, my oyes saw tho torturo chamber of Gretzhoffon." "Did you find tho troasuro?" de manded Cortlslaw. "No, your majesty, that was explora tion fit for your mnjosty's hands alono. I did not search for It. Rather, I has tened to bring your majesty here in your own person." "Wo soon shall know," said Cortls law, and signaled tho advance Tho sound of hoofs and trampling feet filled thu streets of Grctzhoffon. Tho army of Gretzhoffon, in closo for mation, mnrched forward undor tho summons of tho buglers. Quickly pass ing down tho main avenuo which led to tho palaco, thoy sproad out by col umns right nnd loft, covering tho full front of that edifice, which lay boforo them hidden in its screen ot shrub bery. "Look, your majesty," Bald Sachlo, and pointed. Through n llttlo break In tho screen ing wnll of greon ho saw tho plumo of a horsaman, who sat motionless as though waiting. "Ono of tholr guards!" oxclaimod Cortlslaw. "Go tako him. Stop for nothing. Press on Into tho palace Itself." Tho front ranks broko forward, each cagor to bo tho first to tako captlvo tho fooraan thus discovered. Not ono man, but many hundreds, met tholr coming tho forces of Grotz hoffcn In ambush. In tho first front tho picked men of tho gunrd had boon stationed undor tho ecroonlng shrub. bory by tho nctunl commander in chief of tho Grotzhoffon forces thnt day nono loss than Count Frodorlck him self. In such brief tlmo as had been al lowed him, ho had mado his arrange ments nnd postod his forces in what ho concolvod to bo tho only feaslblo strategy. Now tho Jaws wero sprung. Whether trap or victim should provo tho stronger was later to bo known. Tho bugles of Grotzhoffcn, high and clenr, sounded tho counter-charge Tho auvancing lorcoa oi uranorrcn wero mot full In tho faco by a lovol sleet of missiles, and from their covering the forces ot Grotzhoffon sprang out, soc tlon after section. Faco to faco, Una against lino, tho two detachments mot in tho shock of arms. (TO BE CONTINUED.) r i j. - ' 4r . x... . MliMUii.k.!rf-,..ilJ4il!lkU4iji jftajtif '6 r I s