The Broken Coin cA Story of By EMERSON HOUGH Mystery and “ Adventure From c ^eS° by

(Copyist. HU, By W-Uht a. PstOT^ooj MnvUsad ma tb* MaOoo Plrttxr. Dram* of th* B*mr Name Lnlvrml Him MaauXacturtn* Company.

Produeod by tb*

I of b brek*n coin. U

to go to thr prtn

apouty Of OrruboCto to pl«c< •tory suggrotoo by lb* InacHptlon foDowod. oaJ ea »mr»l In Cry b« oAronturao white c).**ln« ttu

TWELFTH INSTALLMENT

CHAPTER XLIII.

«no—irtMoro! We krow •i*t the Oretxhoffen treuore Is oionnone—we know tb«t It U concealed In the tortor* chunber. whetever or whererer may ba. Beyond that we know no more. It la the other half of the coin alone that can tell ns what we Thlr halt out whets our anger until we ftare the lor It “Now. my noblemen, you who pretend to serre me and this people, once more I warn you—yonder half coin, or your resignations—or your

The Sinews of War.

It was touch and go between the

tiro little kingdoms for a time. Their | they knew that this king was not troops had faced each other in the one soon forgetful of his hatred

u 1. rerenge. They laid their beads togelt er, Sachlo desperately anxious now. and tried their best to formu late some plan. All they could conclude vas that the coin had found its

way back to Gretx^affen

In the possession of the peraonc who so stoutly had defended It. Meantime these were far away as line had allowed them. The walls ot Gretthoffen sheltered now both Kitty Gray and Roleau. Close behind icse rode King Michael at the head

In the eye at no great distance At the lines of contact the Imperial rulers of the two countries bad been within earth ot one of the other. Tot they parted now Why? The trumpets Bounded the recall, even as the leaders were awaiting t'..e summons for the charge. Why? At lesst one ruler had been sag?' for the aesaull. yet did not sd rarer hie troops Why? The other, radllatlng as erer

of soul, none the less had been upon of hla troops, st hta side the man the battle front Itself, whether or " " * *■* ' "

not hla courage bad been core than temporary He now retired. Why? The answer to all these question* lay la th* hand* of the young American girl. Sundered, the two halie* of tbs divided GretxhoRen coin still pleaded for reunion. One lay In the grasp of another. Had either kingdom on this day owned them both,

war would hare ensued.

Cortlslnw of Grahoffen. old as he was. rone the less wss in respect of martial nature tor In advance of Uie weak ruler of Oretxhoflen. Michael had come to the rescue not so much to save Count Frederick from danger as to save Count Frederick for himself. He needed Frederick s courage Not oo CortU’aw. who retired to hit own city fumlug and full of 're. Evt' wss that hour for the courtiers cf GrahofTen. and worst of all for the un-

fortunate Sachlo. who bad promised ..— _ hlT . so much for his sovereign and him- have It but the other dey. T ®° b IrtI iS "ho b.j «,». «. t.r ibon OB. tUf. h..» TB« "Ot. B»a I

»■ PKUBl.BB- o.hBr- It «»- l»lt >» » »»». •• -BbIIbt. O.- mt Bond MbbJ . ImbI I 4b bbI wtBi. U Ib

8acfclo.~ exclaimed Cortfslaw. when at “It U In Grahoffen town this mlnlenrtb that creetfaUen Individual was ut a m every likelihood, exclaimed

brought be'ore him. “Your failure

The charge la murder, ea iow.“ said tne sergeant. The on which you were lost in charge, am to warn you once more that what you say may be used against you at

the trial.

’At the trial?- exclaimed Roleau. T night that was all dismissed. 1 > not have the king's excuse leave? The king hlmsell set tree my master and my mistress.’ ’Both your employers?- grinned the

sergeant.

servant ot both, and certainly tf either went free then ao should L Is that not true?" “It la tar from true,- returned the gendarme grimly; you will ece how far. Murder was committed yonder by someone, aa you know. Tnu eaw It—said that you new 1L The law does not set such witnesses free." The king sets free whom Be pleases In this land.” rejoiced Roleau. ~l thill tell my mistress of this” "Do so.” laughed the gendarme, “a rich Jest enough. But Orel find your

mlstriss.-

Rolesu found this s proposition dlOcult of present answer. Others of the police clos'ug In upon him, he went with them now peaceably as he might, to the tribunal where someone must

answer for the recent crime.

The prefect greeted him grimly enough, yet with s certain exultation In his mien. It was necessary In that country, as In others, that a victim

whose danger had called him forth —none leas than Count Frederick him-

self.

■■y T dBB,B,mC.BBUlB.»lMldB.« M ^ b bit C TOT pBW CPI.IBB Ol bl. , or u,,

prowess, “all U well that ends well. Ud you cot note the speed with which we came to rev cite you? Was

It not all magnificent?”

“Tes." replied the count 'The wit of yonder girt—her courage—they

were Indeed magnificent” -Her wit? Her courage?"

“Pardon, tout majesty, but was It not those things which brought you to our rescue? How else could you bate known oi our stress? It was she who carried the news—she. 1^ doubt not who also carries the coln." The coin? Whst coin? Why do you speak of It?” demanded Michael la a certain surprise. “We have that half coin In our own possession—or af have supposed so—surely did

many other*. It mattered little who

that ricam might be.

-So we hare you again, M:

lean-

“And why. may 1 ask your honor?” rejoined Roleau. Innocently.

stay behind their own watts.-and not give offense to our counliy. We would annihilate them. A half hour more, and we would have plundered their city today. Their treasure would have been our*!” “What treasure, your majesty? - qulred Count Frederick coldly. “Would we go to war for that?” "For what else?" smiled the king. “For liberty. Justice, freedom, yot majesty." Tut! tut! where do you ret those terms? A monk speaks! But listen, did we not march to your rescue Tee, your majesty. I am not mindful and not unthankful. But still we lack the clue which alone cm make war possible or desirable—C*e clue which alone has back ot It motives worthy of a king and of a people.” "Well. well, what does all this a then?” rejoined Michael. Irritated. "Where do we arrive? What la It that you aakr* “I can ask no qussUona and answer none, until v* have found once moi the young American, your majesty.” King Michael smiled In ralf-eaUafeo-tion at lash -Ah. weP. that la assy “ said he. have said that she la. or should be. here In this palace. It le true she brought me the now* of your plight." Count Frederick waited for no change In th* royal will, but bowed

■Ver

bring me the missing half of the coin has well-nlrbt coet me my dignity and you your life. I will not loi.ger suffer such disappointment* at your bands -Your majesty." began Sachlo. but

the other raised a band.

"We are at the brink of war now —at any moment war may oo forced on U1. Whether w# Ilk* It or not I did not think Michael would march, but be ha* ehowr that under certain circumstances b* not only can but L If we delay we !<>•« all tba ad- ! tag os of th* Initiative. Non# «n what yonder Count Frederick will Ao. for at least he doe* >ot lack crur And now he Hi be eager for rerroge ega'net u* for the danger In

whlcn we hare placed him

•■R was a danger shared bj all

those who engaged In lb*

the coin." said Sachlo. "V>» bad It

Count Frederick, careless

consequence* that might aria* *■ bit counterfeiting were discovered, "we had a half, that equally la tore. In our band* In the mountain light. The young woman and myself gave It In • ecpfhg of her servant, the man Rolean—a stout fellow and a desperate fighter, as more than one of yonder

army might stteat."

"And where 1* he now?"

That U what I cannot aay." rejoined the count. At the time the danger of conflict ended I turned to find him. and he wa* gone, aa you

know. We agreed that those two. away, true, on business In other Roleau and his mistress, would meet —business connected with my as soon as possible My own fear 1* , welfare. Haring concluded that

■I warn You—the Other Half of Thl* Coin or Your Heads!'

that the young woman will take ahlp at any time end sail for home. With her goes the aecm. for very likely

Roleau would go with her."

"1 do not share your fear*, my dear count." he eald. “In my own belief the young woman will not be ao apt

to leave tb* palace presently."

"Leave the palace?”

“Yes, ah* was In th# charge of my people there even as 1 started out with the troop*. I am thinking that a palace Is a aafar place than a ship for e young woman who la a etranger In • * - beautiful young

matter 1 returned fast as I might, and

“Criminals always come beck to the cenes ot their murder.- asserted the

Convinced Court Frederick th# F We* Empty.

In «ur own hand* In our country wnr

We brought It t°

brone; It wa* they took It

“.Pud U—

. U»l b.d no ““V*.“£!L"b , Co- “

CHAPTER XLIV.

In th# Him* of th# Law. As for Roleau. now object nf eofcltude on the part of a nobleman and even a king, he was experiencing further adventure* of hi* own. Aa soon be had made hla escape from the field where tb# three bad eo nearly met disaster, he made such speed as be could after Kitty, who. a* he knew very well, would has'rn as faat a* might be to find some biding for herself and tba coin. . ^ w where was eh* now That he . .. not goes*, for he had no mean* of learnlug that Kitty bad been left in tb* polar® of the king Rather, he ,,.1 which she b .d made her residence nilen; hi. own step, thither as rap

Idlr a* might be.

“la that true? I did not know U. As for me. I have done no crime. I waa simply looking after my mistress’ affairs in her room—her excellency. th* young American, who la ao high In the king’* gmid wia." That to all very -veil, viwy well, but It to not enough, aa you will *•«.” rejoined the prelect. ’The king did

not set you free.”

’Only because the king had not yet heard from my mistress Give me leave to bring th# two together— *0(1 tba. may be done— and she will set all right at once. Ask her. ”1 do not need to aak her. The king has eet for me the task of finding

s«r: “I.-ra^d—«.»• .»~

YnYrTryer"" 1nr » uccrM lbW ’ *\.~rhoth be and hla mistress, eave Wr£T*r*atcr wit than yuurorttj where both • ... before

' 'll* time we had better * ‘‘X^hrng’Cbr.d. but found no spwadbln an.w.r and the kin* **»»

ee:

“Listen now ’ He beckoned aboU him «*«* ^ ear* of hi* «>u« *»“ bllf coin an an. » at. .aa* aw ■‘“*55 “See what U»to nay#—W t* 1 *

“Who to Itr she cried. “Loose me ■leave me! Where am I?" She caught her bands to ter tae* aa there came to her once more the terror of what ahe had dared not look about her. Take me away!" ahe moaned. Take me away!” He made no answer for a time. "Why have you followed me hen the demanded at last, halt hysteri-

cally.

He spoke now. slowly, almost eol-

nnly.

■ Why?" aald he. T do not know why. I think It must hava been because you were In trouble. Perhaps >u catted me—perhaps that to why I

une.”

“What do you mean? Would you _unt me now. at auch a time? have been frightened almost to th# point of death—It was terrible.’ “Come.” aald Count Frederick, and placed about her en strength. In spite of herself, ahe waa glad to lean. He was guiding her toward the door. She turned and aaw again that which but now bad smitten uer with terror. Her nerve*, weakened by the long strain upon them, pave way once

mors.

The flare of the candle lighted up the cavernous Interior at whoee trance they stood. Count Frederick aaw what ahe had seen. On the watts stood out hooks, steel arms which support«d eyelets, grinning skTto—old—how old could tell. Beyond aroee rod* and gratings, barbed, pointed, curved. An Iron chair waa In a corner, and In It sat a grinning skeleton. It was the torture chamber, the room of terrors, born of other years more savage than these, and brought down »ivn~bsnf»<i through all the centuries! “Come." aald Count Frederick, hto own voice agitated. “It to no time to think cf any treasure now, but you He caught her away swiftly Into the other passage, and flung the door abut behind them. In silence he led her along tha subterranean passage and ° P Me left her once more alone In her own room, to compose herself aa best she .-light, while he west on to rejdn the king. "So. then, you found her. faithful meeaenge-r demanded Michael. Te* your majesty, at length. She waa but strolling about to past the time during your tbsencs. While 1 know little of such matter*. It teem* to me that the trials of the day have been extreme for her." King Michael ended by asking the attendance ot the young woman herself; feut it waa Just at this Juncture that there arrived at the palace none less than the prefect of police, who made suppllance through several court official for sdmlttence to audience with royally. “He say*." ventured the last chamberlain. ,‘lhat he cornea regarding thr murder at the Rita hotel, in which your majesty wa* graciously pleased be Interested.” Yea, yes—my dear Count Frederick. It waa absurd that you abould be mixed In that—or the young American—1 have not had time to think of It since then. What to att this now! Bring the man In.' And ao presently the prefect, abashed and much perturbed, waa admitted. "Well, wett.” demanded the monarch. "what to It—why do you come

But now the came—she may be In her room—we shall see. Shall ahe Join you in tba parlor*. Monsieur 1#

Comte’"

"In the parlors on the floor above,’' replied Count Frederick, rather vague ly. and passed up the broad stair. But he bad certain plana of his own which did not include s public audience with the young American. Instead, h* passed boldly down the ball. Before the door at which he would have an nounced himself he paused. He could not well escape detection If he turned back, for the voices of others came to him down the halt And in th* room beyond the door he heard an other voice—apparently ahe waa u* Ing the telephone. Yes He waited tor an Instant, and found himaelf without intention In alon of what she aald. Kitty at the time. In fact waa telephoning to the headquarter* of police asking for kne* ledge of her servant Roleau. Her voice went on now rapid, staccato. “Monsieur, he was freed. Roleau— yes—what then? On probation?— yea, I know. He was here—he wa* followed to the hotel—he wa* followed

"For only on# reason, your majesty." began the prefect humbly. -W# are convinced that there to more than chance medley In this murder. The thing goes deeper than w*

thought at first."

“Have you no suspect' “One. your majesty, a person of no Importance, by name Roleau.’ “How now. count?” Michael turned i the nobleman who still stood near. -What think you of this matter "Count Frederick con*ldere<* for a moment before he replied. "Set him free " said be at length. “Welch him. He will lead ua to something perhaps. Be sure that to loose be will not be at rest for

ng."

"An excellent Idee.” said Michael. Michael turned now to the matter* closer to hto heart—the welfare of the

forth* tn.erocalen of the klng before thl* would bar# been eel oat to the ,h. young America* ^ bo

TW .

himself from the room. Inquiry found for him presently the waiting woman In whose care Kitty had been placed, and together they approached th# room where ehe bad been left, some hours before, to her own devil They knocked, knocked again, and yet again—but got no answer. Th. woman at length opened the door with her owe key. Her eudden exclamation convinced Count Frederick that the room was empty. “She to up to her tricks," exclaimed he to himself. “Now 1 wonder—" He did cot pause to ask much of the waiting woman, but hurried away down the hall. Intent on certain plans

of hla own.

H* mutt find her. must see her at once. He had no real Idea as to which course Kitty had taken after leaving the room, but alone after a time, he walked more slowly, he could not eay why. Something came to hto eentet. as first not recognised—a faint

yonder murderer. I muet fill that .cent—a perfume which It seemed task. I have done ao now." ' tc him be had known before--the per--What—myself—I am suspected of fulae ot T i 0 i e u. faint. Indefinite, tra-

i»i crime! Your honor, that to lm-1 jj-ant.

possible. There has been no proof of u e f 0l , n( i himself at length In a narany crima." | row hallway from which there were no “Send to the king.” he added, catch- eld# p ****(,* It lod him deeper bats Ing a glimpse of uncertainty oc | iu io the palace. It* trend continually the face of the prefect- “Send to my \ downward. Thus finally he found him mistress. I eltlm that right under the *eif | n the self earn* subterranear tunlaw.” i nel which Kitty earlier had discovered *1 seed to tb* king?" demanded the i - she waa searching tor th* torture prelect Westering. "Why should I? 11 chamber!" aald he to himself, with c»n control thr process of the law ! bidden conviction. "That to why she

without troubling royalty with details | came here!'

of that aort." I He came at length to the great door TVul suppoee (here are conae- which closed the passageway. Yea. 1 quence*. lhesearellckltohtlmea.be- the dust before him were footprint 1 llcve me. your excellency. 1 have j and In the dust on the loot itself were seen blood deeds done today. When finger prints! The ei'ence and retro- .

a king goes to war—and our king may | C y ot ago* had been broken within the | back to her hotel

go before long—the life ot an officer hour. | Count Frederick excused himaelf hut j *_

to tha rendexvoua of the apaches— yes, yes—by whom!—why* He to there cow. perhaps?—Ah. bah! what manner of officers are you? What to your plan In all this—to have him kitted by thieves In turn?” Count Frederick paused to hear no more, but Bushed guiltily over hto eavesdropping retraced hto step* down the hail and sought more decorous means of meeting th* young woman whom he wished to eee. But even as he did ao he reflected that from the detached exclamation* he had heard surely eh* was planning yet other adventure*. If Roleau had been here— II Le had been followed away by the police toward the thieves’ headquarters—surely this undaunted girl would In turn do what she could to rescue him. If so. once more she herself would need assistance. Count Frederick stepped to one aide In the hotel lobby and bided hto time It waa as be thought- Before long Kitty hastened through the lobby and out toward the street. Evidently ehe had paused to make slight changes In her tolleL Beyond question the purpose In her mind

i find Roleau.

Count Frederick strolled toward the desk end nodded pleasantly to the questioning clerk. ’'Yes," said he, T

was so fortunate—

He did not pause to say definitely In what way he had been fortunate, but. unhurried, strolled; down the steps Into the street. Intent on nothing so much aa upon discovering what Kitty

Gray next would do.

It waa now a curious train that of those persons engaged in the aea'cb for the muaterioua coin. Roleau had Indeed found an occupant in the room of hto mistress when he hastened thither the moment he was released from esutody. That occupant, however. was not his mistress, but an other—none less than a member of the apache band who had held her apart menu under espionage. Roleau. hiding hlmiKif, waited for the appearance of the Intruder—followed him out from the hall Into thr street. Thto had been but the moment before Kitty's return. The nrefect had ordered Roleau’a discharge by telephone from the palace, almost as ehe was leaving, and both she and Roleau had hastened

to the hotel.

iw. as Kitty emerged, followed by

A CITY BIRD | By IZOLA FORRESTER. Gardiner used to think, those first few months In New York, that a boarding Aioase was th* lonesome*! hole man ever stole into and hid hlms.'.t from the outer world. There didn’t seem to be one congenial soul until Laura Edwards came. She waa about nineteen, he figured. Her hair was chestnut and caught the light In its mesh of golden brown. Her eye*, too. were brown, and very friendly—almost too friendly and comradely In their appeal, he thoughtend he wanted to protect her. vaguely. He found out that ahe worked some place up town, probably In an office. Even MU* Meloney knew no more thsn thto. There was a certain point that even her cnrioalty could not get by In Mite Edwards' manner. “I'm thinking she’* from the middle We*L" Kinney, the little highlander said, one night out on tha front steps. "She's spoken to me of Dayton. Ohio, very often- Tenderly like, too." "She's a way of the South about her at timesHobart declared with a sigh. ’’Like a rote, like a rose." Gardiner rose uneasily. He hated to have her discussed by them. She was so much apart, eo wonderful to him. He loved her. end he meont to tell her so. T U. at least, waa a man's rtgbL Back home In Rhode Island there was a good little farm where hla mother lived. That was hto. too. If he cared to run IL But he knew, someway. Laura would never for the country. She was a city bird, born to preen on stone pedestals. * SUB. be would tell her. It was Saturday night The treat eps were deserted. There was a ■ttee placed on the little gras* plot under the lone caUlpa tree, and they out there talking In low voices, talking commonplaces, yet with every nrve tingling, everysglance conveying essayes their lips belled.* And all once Gardiner blurted out: “Well never be the same after tonight will we?" She smiled up at him wtoUullr.

"Why?"

“Because we’ve found out Aren't you sure I love you! Oh. I didn't mean to spring It like that Laura.“ He reached for her hand* anxiously. "Don’f go In yet I had to tell you. I’ve been awfutty lonesome here until

young American, whom he had not Count rrrAoTick ,ct another one of

1 Blake’s underworld band stepped out

•» I. PunuK oi U.. «...

his presence, moned at once.

What! mademoiselle." cried Mlcha.M, "you ere pale. You have not yet fully recovered—you have been III?" • Yea. your majesty." replied Kitty, smtting somewhat wanly. Ha now noticed that th* serving woman at her side carried her wrap*, and that she herself appeared ready for the elreet. "What! you mean to leave ue?" exclaimed he. "What does thto mean?" “Your majesty.' eald Kitty.-gracious-ly allow r;e my absent-* for the time,

i must return to my hotel." rlth deep relief that finally

pursuit

eted Greuhoffen coin.

Aa for Roleau, h’.s man made rapid progress, and It waa not long before he had trailed him to the rendexvoua of the band which he himself previous ly had learned Undaunted, be would have pursued the fugitive to the inner chamber of the rendezvous had not be beard a sound which caused

him to pause.

It was at thto time tbkt Blake, lead er of lh<< band of thieve*, chanced to return to the rendezvous. He had passed part way Into the subterranean

It wa* with deep relief that finally

Kilty t.und b,y«dl «.« .... !r~d f—<• -P™ bo! tb. nty.I t.t..„t. ud tb. -y.l » >'■“ “ •" l ‘ 1, ”™

palace. She sped, fast aa might be.

left brblod to worth no more to him than that ot a good fighting man taken with him to th* front. Perhaps as b»

tween your horor and myself ”

The official took counsel with hto

own caution tor a moment.

"1 will myeelf go to th* palaca.” said he at Irngth. To be sure, w* cannot be tco careful Ui the attaining of tb*

In time to eee

from the central room and make a spring at an Intruder whom be him

ce recognised as the man

He poshed open the door—pushed It I a moment later. Te the king he an- * h ° '[TT^a^Srte TVif, until It met some obstruction—some- i nounced hi* Intention of returning to , “ u hlB1 She toy at hi* feeL unconscious.li bad been to th* noblemans servant a , pt T? . _ R 0loac

helpless -dead, fur all he could tell I trifle earlier. ^ He bent over her. doubt, tarror In hU “Her excellency, the young Ameri

She nodded her head. "I waa lonely, too." she aald softly. “Bnt I’m used to IL I’ve lived around In boarding houses for two year* now, and It’s horrid where I work. I’m a retoucher on photos aphlc plate*, at^d that means work In a dark room bfr a red light all day. 1 hate thg^sAl. Some time I’m going to live outdoor* right In the sunlight and daylight all the time." "Where ere your folk*?" he asked. "I thought you were Just here for a little while." "Dead mostly. I guess- I’ve got s married sister out In Dayton. Ohio. After my mother died I went to work here. I can make pretty good pay at IL but I hate IL Jus? hate IL If* awful when you hate tha work you have to do." Gardiner sat nearer, hto arm lying beck of her along the settee. And some way word* came at last to him— words to tell her whet be would Ilka to do to make Ilf* easiea for her. She wasn’t a visiting princess any longer —ehe we* Juat a aweeL everyday mat# and pal who might be wife some day to him. They could get a little apartment— four rooma would be enough to start with. He had a couple of hundred saved already and could get more from the home neet-egg. Perhaps some time they’d go back to the farm. It waa near the town and the trolley ran close by. She might Ilka IL ’Td love It." Laura eald passionately. ‘Tm just starved for daylighL Tom. Thafa your name, tout It! I heard on* of the boys call you Tom." "Say It again," aald Gardiner contentedly. "I like to hear you." The front doer opened cautiously and Mies Meloney peered out aaw who waa there and Lealtated. ‘Have you the time. Mr. Gardiner!" ehe asked. “Little past ten." answered Tom genially. “Wo had to stay out a little later than usual. Miss Meloney. Hop* you don’t mind. It’s very important." “Oh. thafa all right." th# little old lady aald hastily. Ifa a lovely night— kinder cool, though. Hadn't you bettor have something around you. Mies Edwards?" "She has, thanks." catted up Tom. and there waa alienee, e grateful, happy alienee. Presently Laura whis-

pered:

"I love boarding houses; don’t you, Tom?" Tom smiled up at the brown at one front, at the little brass strip announcing ‘Rooma With or Without Board." at the familiar cat heating around the lilac buahea. ant] he felt a wave of thankfulness toward It all sweep over him: It had brought them together someway, aomehow. out of the flotsam and jetsam of life's tide#. "You bet 1 do. honey girt." ho re-

plied.

.Copyright, ira. try th. Mrrilur* Newspa per ByndlratO

(TO t)K COMTOiCKD)

“Ye*." replied the conductor. "Well get you In. to the mlr.ute" Thaf* too bad. This car to a lot more comfortable than the place l‘m

gain* to."

i

k

YianmaETHTTa 11 nil 1 aimnr

“"vr

t to. ” .

:*w- - pjlP