Ie»n bfnt orer. mkk’.nr nri temrch u be could of the evidence of the crime. It eeemed to him almost certain that he had seen this man somewhere, but he could not be sure. He stooped, hesitated, and then swift-

THF MOMENT'S SPUR ~

,, .nop half of a broken coin. ^ inKTlptlpn OB —~ S runosItT SM Uadi her.

arrival In QretsboSes • .drentures white ciuutnf tba secret lU Broken cola begin.

ninth installment

CHAPTER XXXIII.

The Trap. •UidemolseD*. give It to me! Let ■ tad all thia." Tbt voice of Count Frederick was ifluied. For onoe he had met a sltu u3c sufficient to ahake him from hU

“Yes.- viciously. '“wroi airs. »«i 1# -Agreed, then. mademoU • few dsyt sg^jn '^ your permission, nsy I 1/ quinry. wss opertrould arette? Tilldoomsday! 1 vtoBea IsleonSaturd'hny -■ er spend my time here than „ . Ivens, of Buffalo, r

Kitty Gray naue no answer, as sbt itrank bsck. the coin UghUy clasped Is her hand. She cast on him a look o full of womanly anger as might jie scorched him—an anger now derold of fear. Caged, trapped, left wtth:t n source, helpless In the hands of Ur enemy, still sbs seemed deadlier

in that enemy now.

'Will you notr The man s *olce 1 In It now something almoet of sdlng. Count Frederick felt aomeil&K of fh.ms at his own part in this 'No!- she answered at length, her m voice low and even, panting out is words. "No, I will not- Come and sks It from me If you dare. Ton have kms that once, why not again?"

ragg, ot Bayouuejrfy CHAPTER AX'* 1,0U1 « •f‘« »P _ week here as the gu«S.

Nsw Problem.

MesnUme the agencies of the , u ere in charge of mother sltuil. t *f_ • which but now had arisen to the drff** W|H **

Uny of the dynamic GreUhcflen coin * l**e Mouse

He turned away with a sudden gesire. his face red to chagrin over the

sitloe of her taunt.

There had been murder done but now over this coin. The -Jty was exerting all lu force usually employed In the preservation of lift, and property. Swiftly a cordon of troops and of the local gendarmerie ha) been summoned into action. The exits of the town were guarded. The gendarmes filled the streets nearby, acme guarding the crossings, others converging toward the point of greater interest, whence : the alarm had come—the Rltx hotel.

-What Is this, monsieur?" demanded the officer, as he approached the desk, his quick eyes glancing over every detill about him. 'Remain here, all of

Wbat” remains? Must I be yet more you. Let no one attempt escape. What

■ode with you? It is not that 1 like u this, than?"

is part, mademoiselle; he sure of "We do not know, captain, began

i not myself tat my mar the clerk, who acted as spokesman.

* bo laid bands upon you that other

-He la still your man. Tou yourself 11 are willing to persecute a woman d s stranger. You are no tetter

than he."

"Suppose 1 am not. then Does U look as though you would gain much t>j defying me? Come. now. The coin u nothing to you; it is everything to ne. 1 swear tt is more than 1 thought f. ever would fca. It is life and death for me. a ad more than that, mademoiselle. Would you stand between me and an ambition such as that? 1 »ould repay yo« a hundredfold to any »»y you needed. If you would but H»feu to reason But perhaps a woman does not know the word for reason." "No. I do not. 1 remember only one word, and that is hate for you! When

•This maid brings the alarm, she Clares s man has been found killed to

one of our apartments."

"Wbat room was It. monsieur?' That belonging to a young Ameri-

can womwn. a Mias Gray "

"Where la she?"

“I go not know, captain. She was here but now. V.’o did not see her enter. but saw her leave. Sbj and her man come and go often acme what mysteriopjly. 1 must admit." “When was she hero last?" "Within the hour. I was about to

i I a

ter that In turn I will put you betlnd the ban If ever *he opportunity comes to me. And you shall stay there always for all of me. 1 hate you!" Count Frederick emileJ grimly There |« comfort to that word, mademoiselle." said he. "Kather that than \-d. c-eyed Indifference, at least. But A for me. I do not hate you. neither Vn 1 indifferent toward you I only— »t least, mademoiselle. 1 try only to ihlnk of the coin and what U meant

“If It belonged to you. monsieur, u •ould have gone to you long ago Jj ion ever owned tt you would own It

A sudden change came over the face of the nob 1 'man aa be caught the conVtlou in these words. They touched for him some consciousness long len

founC* _ at thrff* Count F:,

him.

,H. tj 1 "- ' secure Uijning Ocean Cilf *n sonj e merely ml ,

of

opposition fmlWdarick. t CU bln*"* 1 ' * u,iU ‘„

ter. "What? * bo know '"I Rol *l

faithful, slv ? • "

In the ser.fc*°* sll, •

•feeenefcrSevoted li

you bad-t>

say.

What do you mean?" he asked In » low voice. "What is U that you

mean when you aay that?"

When Frederick. Count cf Grets•»often, deserves thin coin; when be »sms U; when he gains title by virtne of right thoughts and deeds, then petips it will come to him. su^ 1 ? "“J before. This coin." she held It now out

fcWor* her to bar hand. Tt *IU

• '(dually to that place where II b* herr. longs. It is seeking for that place new Ah. that

The people really own It They ask v-idom and Justice and liberty. And “ow you ask ms why 1 cling to » • 'by R clings to me I suppose 1 b- cause something Ic.pela m*. 4 conl Kl. me to do what I don ' „

• ount Frederick turned to

'■iniself to a stlustlon of grvau-? c< ‘ ,n

,. and about to seat

"And wbo was with her?"

"Her man. whom I have Just menHoned They came In. apparently from the country; apparently from travel. They came In at the rear entrance. so It seems Soon after her arrival a gentleman Inquired for her. -And where Is that gentleman?" The clerk looked about him. Count Sachlo b» this time bad approached u,. door, mod d.r. 1>~» ■ *« onoui. to p*~ o.l i >*“ u, « 4, y;“ porter tor o time, he noer bed met the deodumee, .to ello.od oo ooe to Lte the pUe- ™ eepUlh ep-

nroached him.

"Monsl»ur. you must Join us for a time" and led him to-srd the desk. where be resumed his questioning jf

the betel force.

"Is thin the gentleman?" he Inquired

of the clerk The Utter nodded. -What did this gaotleman ?ay.

-II. eehed me .bet. oe. the ohmt» log ycung woman, the Amcrtcsn. He

said he had kn-*n her before."

-Has wnjone ctoe inquired for the j-nnog American U.ely? Ha. anyone

•Ue been to her apartments The clerk considered for an 'nscant

-One ether, monsieur le capiuOne.

replied Roleau, with aplomb. "But where la

•he?"

“She seems safe." said Count Frederick coolly, and waved a band. Roleau came fre-t to front against ths Iron grille doors which barred egrees for the inmate of the little prison. He shook at the bars to frenry as be saw her. She approached him. her eyes wide with Joy at his coming. “So then, this was why!" cried Roles’!. "Open this gate. I say ” In his passion he forgot his own position and turned on his master, ordering him as though Count Frederick himself were the servant "Roleau, yon will yet exhaust my patience. This Is my home. I have had almost enough of your running back and forth in 1. aa you like. ThU Is the last time. Out of here, you fel-

low."

"Is It cj'" grinned Roleau savagely, his own mind upon the main situation

•voided himself. There was. however, no time for further speech. The sound ot rapid footfalls came down the hall. The captain of gendarmes id his men were at the door. 'Messieurs, welcome!" said Count Frederick. "But why art you barer "Monsieur le eomta. Wh, ask pardon for the intrusion, but we must ask you to Join us." replied ths officer. He was impressed by the calm dignity ot Count Frederick, as had been more then on» man before his Urns. "Ftor what reason do you desire our company, monsieur captain? Is there aay charge against usr “There U • charge of great severity to be laid against someone, monslsur le ccmts. We ask your aid to determine wbo that one may be. This young woman, who Is abe?" T am Miss Kilty Gray of America." answered the object of his suspicion. "This la my servant, Roleau. Who are

your

"We are of ths imperial police, znademc laelle. A murder has been done lu your room at the Rltx hotel. Naturally aomeone la under suspicion. Let me caulior. both yon and Count Frederick not to speak. What you aay may be used as evidence " Count Frederick turned suddenly toward Kitty, a warning In his eyee. She stood, therefore, silent, looking at

“Who—when was nr

-A gentleman whose name I dlsllks

to speak In public " "Sneak: It Is tbe law.

-V«y well. then, it wss Monsieur U Cc-nte Frederick of Gretxhcffen. -A. Count Frederick, when wss he

-The Cou:

was bo tore tbe return of woman from an absence of

the young

several days."

The officer turned

Waving the hotel 1 oust go to find the Count Frederick hbnseU and bring w l>/.rhafu> throush him * e

her e Perhsps through him

as a* mu -— — - j T flod something of tbc * be -If upon tbe lowrr * l ‘ lr ' ^ ! 4b / uU of the /ouug woman her^lf

log fell from the poctrt of bl» i w0 ^0 h.-r we bsve found the

nethlng which Sutton of thU crime" rum hie room. In the hope wa* | •>-- vi<-tlmr

d nut U»—-Ud M , th ‘' !

...U. u Wl ...• 1»- “I— 4 “

• sir betecri. I

seen II

-Who was tbe victim?" fl of the clerk.

. M w That we cannot say • accepted the , alone has seen '

i maid

. and at first did not - i ’ip tbe little plcturv. for R »• UtUe picture which b« h*' 1 bro« U him from his roomV'ou saw. mademoiselle „

1 r“ TS u

your room." answered Kitty cou

miKuoualy. ->*«> •by ‘

io your gpart»ienta no» t-w, U*. 1 not the right? **J '*^£

> “•a property? 4 am n « t« the lavs of Gr*ub° c“ u ^

•eems UFtoe there are no Uwa I is laag. hpoetag how to ae

CHAPTER XXXV.

glens Walls Do Not a Prison Mske-^ Koi-u. ^ir^t that iuce which

of the quiet -lek when the 4 or tbe «lec5 presence to He knew

"Mademoiselle U In no esse sponsible tor any of this." said he to tbe officer "We wUI all go with you and conclude this matter as quickly as possible We must be released at once from detention " Tbe officer turned, beckoning to them to follow him The little group passed slang ths walk to the open curb of tbe street. It wss Roleau who hesitated here, addressing the captain of gendarmes "Monsieur captain." said he, T see that you guard all the escapes possible to any guilty man. You will therefore allow me ti step to the corner to summon a carriage for thi two excellencies?" The captain of gendannee hesitated for a half-instant, frowned, and then nodded. “Naturally, you only do your duly, monsieur captain." suggested Roleau, "but excellencies like these must not walk. Excuse me. then?" Those who lingered for an Instant mw Roleau walk leisurely toward the corner, raise his hand as though In a vlgnal. and then break Into a run. "Walt." exclaimed Count Frederick, as be saw tbe plan of tbe quick-witted servant. "If you leave ur we might run away. We will pick h'm up. no doubt. Do you tarry here with

"Might I suggest to monsieur le prefect that we hastea" Interrupted Count Frederick gently enough. The prefect had seen many women, not all of them innocent- He smiled grimly enough now as be noticed the beauty of the young girl, who stood pale and not wholly collected In all this turmoil. The girl now turned to him. and for the first time spoke. "Monsieur le prefect" said she, "you cannot make guilt out of Innocence. I can prove to you by this clerk and all these others that I wss absent from the hotel for several days When 1 cams back It was but for a short time. I was absent when this crime __ discovered. How can you connect me with it? Rather connect with It those wbo have had access to my room during my absence." The official turned teward her though fully, then to the captain of gendarmes. "Have you searched all t persons?" he Inquired. Tbe tot-

ter shook his head.

"80 you do not know what evidence has been destroyed. Come. then, perform that duty now. see what you find upon the persons of these Individuals. The woman first." Without hesitation Kitty presented her handbag, drew out from It her little poriemcnnalc. even turned Inside out the pocket of her frock. Count Frederick watched her doeely as she so. He saw that none of tbe officers discovered the piece of coin. He suspected, although be did not know, that Kitty had palmed it under her thumb as sbo spread out her hands, asking them to certify themselves. The gendarmes, their captain, the prefect of police, turned away nonplussed The prefect hesitated as he faced the calm dignity ot the noble-

men t behind the hangings of the room He was sure that he had heard someone move in the rear room of the apartments. He had no more than concealed him self before he had full evidence o( the justice of his suspicion. He heard a rustling^behind the curtained door, heard the'slight shuffling of s step, and saw emerge from the ooncesllns curtains s face which he knew well enough: be could not mistake that cunning, ratlike chin, tbe shifting eye*, tbe almoet silent footfall which carried him forward. Tee, Roleau knew him. knew him well enough. He had met him not so long before to combat at the lodge ot Count Sachlo. had saved the life of her excellency , from ibis very man He had fought i him again In his own den to the -lumt | of Oretxhoffen here. Yes. It was Blake, the renegade king of ths apache* He stooped over the body and knell by Its side, thrust s hand Into the pockets of the coat, and at length drew out a folded paper, which h* hur riedly crowded Into his c*n pocket Then be was about to arise, but at that Instant be felt the tlgerllke weight of the giant Roleau open his own back. A hand caught his arm back of bis, crowded It up toward the back of his nsek. strained it into a position of excruciating pstn. An arm came around his neck, choking him He vas helpless. "Get up." said Rolsac. at length, grimly. "I know you. 80. you did this? Corns along with me." Noe It was this strange apparition, of Roleau marching hU prisoner before him. which gave pausp’to ths procession of the tow as irvdvancod toward the scene of the crime The prefect of the dty. his officers. Count Frederick. Count Sschlo. Kitty Gray, all these others, paused now "What it that?" demanded tbe prefee, Imperatively. "Who are you, and what do you do with this man?" “He U the guilty man. excellency." •ald/tol au stoutly. "1 took him but ju* now to our a part menu He was bending over tbe dead man there when 1 saw him. I sprang upon him and took him. as yeu see. 1 know this tnsn well enough. He la a robber and a chief of robbers; he U the leader of the apaches of this city." "What you say may be true." said the prefect, as he cast a swift glance at the prisoner; “but we can Jump at no conclusions. Retain him, retain them both." "Do yon know this man?" he demanded of the clerk. But the latter shook hia head. "1 never saw him." said he. “But all these things rouse additional -uaplclon of this young woman. She Is too mysterious: she ht- ‘jo many strange friends. 1 tell yo!. monsieur le prefect. she to tbe one wbo knows all about this! She knows the rlcUm. whoever he may have been. Depend

on that."

The prefect, had he made like question of Count Frederick or of Kltt} herself, might have beard that they both hsd seen before now this lauist addition to the Hat of captives. But that official, for the time, was engaged In larger matters. “There is truth to what you say.” he assented to the tost remark of the

Kitty Is Surprised In Frweiriek's Apartment by the King's Sweetheart and Then by Frederick.

are things which even matters quicksaster. But as for this. 1 won't argue now It la your own safety deda It. listen, the men aro com- — the officers—don't you hear

"Who are coming?"

The gendarmes. Then is a charge of murder. They are after you. they are coming to search this house. It they find you with her. trapped, what wl’l they do? Open, master, quickly. 1 beg of you. It to for the bake of her and yoursell " “ ! do not run." said Count Frederick. slowly- "If there to such a charge as this, c-rtalnly we shall meet It. for It to our purpose as well rs theirs

to find who are guilty.

“Come now." he turned tp Kitty as he drew the key of the lock from hla pocket, ' you have pnee more, by virtue of this exigency, mademolaelle. conquered me’ I mast set you true for a lime. KsW seams to Rght with you Later we will resume our argu-

In fact the captain of gendarme* aeelng hto own party reduced by divisions to no more than s couple of men beside himself. hclUted. and turned to secure the safety of hto more Important captives. While they paused they heard the quick wheels ot a taxicab which drew up before them After all. tt was an open question what hsd been Roleau's Intent, for certainly he had ordered this vehicle to come hither. Making the best of the matter, the captain of gendles motioned for hto prisoners to

enter the ca'

Kitty turned to tbe alien! man who Mt at ber aids Count Frederick laid a finger to hto Ups. counaellrg silence, and gazed straight on ahead. Thus, silent and aloof, they arrived as priso'.ure at the grand entrance of

the Hotel Rltx.

Kitty found herself face to face with a large man to full uniform, a man vlth a heavy beard and merciless who now addressed himself to

subordinate:

"As to this man." he demanded, “why have you taken Count Freder-

ick of Grutxhoffen?"

"Merely as ultimata susp'-lon." stammered the captain. "We found him to company with 'Ms young worn-

“Tour excellency." said ?.e at length. "I dislike to ask of you the right of search. 1 comply only with formalities. If ycur excellency—■” "Certainly," said Cotint Frederick, and threw open hto coat. The prefect of police turned to hto men. "We have not yet found all of those parties who may be concerned with this crime. We have not yet held our quest lens on the acene of the

crime Itaelf.

They turned, all of them. now. and approached the stairway which led to •he floor upon which were located Kitty's apartments. Their numbers quite filled tbe ball as they advanced, preceded and followed by gendarmes But suddenly, as they approached tbe •pot they sought, the certain of gendarmes touched tbe zrm of hto superior and pointed ahead. •ThatfgHMpbtan wI>0 escaped.’ exclaimed bh- "Roleau, here he to. and coming from the room itself' But who to that with him?"

chapysr xxxvi.

By CLARISSA MACKIE. x A dozen motor cars waited at Rosebush station for the arrival ot the C:M train from town. MsiTjorie Stone sat at the steering wheel of ber own little runabout waiting for her father. A train whistled and presently the air vlbrsted with sound as it thundered into the Ion. Immediately there was a chorus of shouts ss s man jumped from the train and ran across the pmiform. "Stop him—stop him!” The fugitive darted around the building, fairly hurled himself into the tonneau of the Stone car and •ouched to the bottom "Start off anywhere! I'll explain aa soon aa we're on tbe way!" he beggtd. For answer Marjorie pulled the starting lever and the beautiful big car glided away from the platform juat as the pursuers panted around the building. In a moment the big machine purred swiftly away from tbe depot and disappeared around the bend of Bushy road. When they were ten miles from the station tbe t "«" raised himself and stepped over the seat to eit beside Marjorie. . For the first time she took s good look at him and noted that he was young to spite of the gray hair that edged hto temples. He was well dressed, hut hto clothing was covered with dust "Why did you save ms?" be askod abruptly "1 believe It was your gray hair, confessed Marjorie, with a swift glance In hto direction. "I thought vov were old. and 1—1 do pity old

' he said with deep

“I feel old enough today!" muttered the man. ' Tou are to trouble?" she asked,

softly.

He nodded. It seems there was some trouble to Benton—the large town beyond here. I was there- on business for my firm when I received s telegram saying that my father was dying In Albany. I sprinted for the railroad station to order to catch the express The whole town was out chasing a bold thief who had been working In day light. 1 crossed his trail and they thought I was the man. and I couldn't persuade them to ths contrary. So 1 ebook them off and 1 held 'em off with try revolver until they reached here I saw you sitting there and Jumped to. and you know the rest!” ..n'v^wl "And yeu want to fo to Albany’ asked Marjorie without questioning

hto statement.

He nodded gratefully. "We are near the Central railway, which will take you to Poughkeepsie." she said. "We can reach there Urn- »«r tbe 7: SO—and I do hope you will reach there to time." "You are good." * — —•

feeling

In a few minutes they drew up at the Central depot and the watched him board the train and answered tbe wave of hto hand with a flutter log handkerchief until the rear car disappeared In tbe woods Then she drove ewtftly back to the station to find that her father had arrived and was waiting Aa they drove home In the twilight abe told him the elory of the fugitive and how she had helped him to escape. Mr. Stone laughed skeptically and shook hto head. "Oh. my romantic daughter!" be teased her. Marjorie blushed divinely. "If yew had seen hto eyes, daddy, you would never have doubted him," she pro-

tested.

The next evening he showed her the newspaper he bad brought from town In It was a full account of the Benton burglary and a picture ©t the thief, who had been caught. "Daddy. It's not my passenger!" cried Marjorie; “eo he did tell the truth, after all." Several weeks later Marjorie waited once more at Rosebush station for her father'* arrival from

The Body cf the Crime.

It had been easy for Roleau. once he was free of the Immediate presence of the officers, to spring Into the nearest alleyway and quickly pass from atght. While the officer, in charge at hto more distinguished prisoners, was passing In the car toward the front entrance of the Hotel Rltx. Roleau hlt>eelf was speeding thither almost as | quickly through devious passageways which led to the rear of the hotel I Attaining entrance at the rear, he | sped up the back steli*. and t<

clerk. "Now all the avenues are closed and all tbe suspects are a* sembled. 1 lake it. We will ace what the room Itself holds. We will enter.' "No, no." cried In sudden ter ror at the ihougUs *’ 1 " t< ‘ arrl1 10 see. "I cannot. w nothing of this; I don't know whv .ue man was

1 don't know who did this."

"What, mademoiselle! Tou fear to see what there may be to witness?'

more at the apartments “Id the prefect. "As to you. monsieur „ . cf Km, ono . “ «»■»»-

e What he saw caused even hit stout | “The law w ill take Its course, aald lU ! Brrvre to quail for the lime On the i fount Frederick coldly. "You have Boo: before him. with face half turned before now seen fit to doubt me. Take

and arms outfiong. lay the victim of j matters Into your own bands, moti ^ the last adventure connected with the I »!» ur le prefect, and let the law go together, and when they returned mysterious tlreuhoffen coin “ “ Bfij

bow 1 think what Roleau ' an. In whose room the crime waa cornsays has justice to it We must not toll ted '‘"hto ©there-" he pointed to be found here the*' OoUBt Sachio. "stoo seems to have He flung open the iron grilto. KKlj | known this young woman."

When the train came tn Mr. Eton# was accompanied by a man wboao form was familiar to Marjorto.

It was ber fugttHe!

Tawny eyes and violet ones met to s giad glance and then tbe man's hand went out in greeting as Mr.

Stone Introduced him.

"Marjorie, this to a eon of my old friend. Arthur Gray. Gray died to Albany a short time ago—and yots will be glad to bear that you helped young Arthur to reach hto father to time to bid him farewell " "Thanks to you." said Arthur Marjorie said ebe waa glad, and then she became suddenly very »hy. eo that the two men were t tuapeltod to talk to each other as the tog «*r whirled them toward home That waa tbe beginning ot many rides for Marjorie and Arthur Gray, and with each return of her straur.o puMenger be appeared to grow

younger.

At tost they took one Imporumt

Roleau Old 1

: know this man at

The r

first.

ret hlmas-lL dung open the

I Marjorie 1

1 a magic ring on the

f 01 . Rather bis garb betokened him I The room. *0 far as any victim 01 to\me from the kindred kingdom of ! a crime w«i« concerned, was entirely QnJ^.Ben . s empty Everything waa to order as yet using that si-eeu \before There was no dead ma« there! Wh!ct\ he knew waa Imperative. Kj . (TO UK COhTtK JilU)

ia\ he

third finger of he' left hand, and both wore a look of unmistakable joy

to their faces.

(Copyright. UU. by the MrClure New*.

pepsr l

Optimistic Theught Any time to the proper ooe for Bering whe’