The Geary Booster (Geary, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 2, 1915 Page: 2 of 12
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T H E GEARY BOOSTER, GEARY. OKLA.
The Broken Coin
c? Story of By EMERSON HOUGa
Mystery and „ ^*7" . w
A1 . From the Scenario by
Adventure
Grace Cunard
(Copyright. 19U.br Wright A Pattsisoa)
SYNOPSIS.
Kitty Qrmy. newspaper woman, flndi In
is curio shop half of a broken coin, the
mutilated inscription on which arou««a
her curiosity and laada her. at tha order
tot har managing editor, to go to the prin-
cipality of OretahoRen to piece out the
Story suggested by the Inscription. Bhe la
followed, and on arrival In OreUhoffen
Iter adventurea while chasing tha secret
of tha broken coin begin.
EIGHTH INSTALLMENT
ly.
1 CHAPTER XXIX.
King Cortlslsw.
"So you find It convenient to enter
any room once more unasked?" Kit-
ty's eyes flashed in genuine Indigna-
tion as she faced Count Sacbio.
"It la not your room, mademoiselle,
but ours. We pay for it and have con-
trol of it"
"So there was some definite pur-
pose In secreting me here away from
my friends?"
"Assuredly, a purpose very definite,
and one from which we do not Intend
to be swerved, mademoiselle."
"What then do you purpose doing
with ma?"
"We plan taking you before the
king—not tha king of OreUhoffen, but
our own king, Cortlslaw of Grahoffen
Ha wishes to see you, mademoiselle."
Kitty turned back into the room
and Sacbio. Irritated at the delay,
went so far as to take her by the arm
to Induce ber to leave the room with
him. She resisted him so vigorously
tbat for the time he stood back non-
plused.
But at length the girl's powers
proved no match for those brought
•gainst har. She was forced from the
rooss toward the front of the build-
tag-
Once mora Kitty adopted the pol-
icy of Roleau himself—ahe ceased to
straggle when she found struggling
«nd lay back to wait until a
time when resistance might be more
affective.
"Very wall. then, gentlemen." said
•ha. "Do aa you like. I am weaker
than yourselves. Since you are men
and gentlemen, naturally you are
strong."
Count Sachlo made no answer to her
biting words. In truth, matters had
not gone so well with him as he would
have liked. He had been ordered to
report to his own king, and now must
soon make that report, and certainly
he could not tell of the unqualified
success which he bad so confidently
hoped.
The insignificant distance which
separated these two kingdoms was
Kitty Trie* to Make Friends With tha
Old Keeper.
•panned to hours, somewhat to the
wonderment of Kitty, schooled in tha
great distances of ber own country.
Arrived to the capital of Graboffen.
aha was allowed small time to arrange
her toilet or compose herself after the
fatigue of the Journey. Very presently
aha waa brought before King Cortls-
law himself.
She found h|n> an old man. thin,
wrinkled, crabbed. Irritable, ezciUble
Cortlslaw regarded the young girl
steadily aa the stood before him.
-So this la the woman?" be demand-
ad of Count Sachlo, who gtood humbly
"The same, your majesty. She
explain what you desire to know.
The king looked Intently at soma-
thing be held to hto band. Kitty
caught sight of lt-it wsa the half
coin which she bad once
which bad been taken from her but
lately by these men. evidently Count
Sachlo bad turned It over forthwith
to Its royal possessor.
-Mademoiselle, mid be. tell me
-what It saya. Tha Inscription 11
broken. I wish to know It all. I am
Informed that you have seen both
halves of this coin, and therefore know
the entire message. Head It to me at
once."
Kitty took the coin to her hand aa
though to study It, but swiftly put her
own hand behind her back as ahe
clutched it
"It Is my property." said she stout-
"Not even a king can take away
property without course of law."
Even a king was aatonlsbed at the
effrontery of the young girl—wbo held
her possession until two sturdy guards
forced the coin from her band. The
king smiled at ber, a somewhat tooth
less smile.
So you value It? Many do We are
illlng to pay for what we have, ma-
demoiselle—and the message of this
coin we mean to have. Give ft to us,
and you shall be set free."
"Your majesty is liberal—you offer
what la already mine—the right to
liberty. But what you aak is Impos-
sible for me. True. I have seen each
half of the coin—even I saw both
halves at one time—but never hare
read the entire Inscription."
"But you have seen both halves,1
went on Cortlslaw. "T$ll me, what
was on the other half."
"Your majesty, I cannot—I do not
know."
"By the saints of our fathers." ex-
claimed Cortlslaw. "If this were In the
olden days the torture chamber should
show you something. But now—'"
"The torture could wring only de-
ception from me, your majesty, and
tbat deception would be of no service
to you. I have told you the truth—
and that alone can serve you. Give
me my liberty again—and then per-
haps I might learn more of the other
half of the coin."
"The girl argues well." said Cortls-
law. "I am not sure whether or not
she speaka truth, but her argument
goea to the same thing to either case.
Let her go under guard—perhaps
something may arise to give us fur-
ther Insight Into this.
"As for you. Count Sachlo, you have
not yet suceeded in what was asked of
you—you have not yet taught us
where lies the hidden treasure
Gretzhoffen!"
'Your majesty," replied the count,
reddening. "It Is but inadvertence,
which shall be amended. In my seal
I fancied your majesty would rather
have this ypung woman than to have
the other half of the coin. To secure
that may require yet more time."
The king fixed on him the cold smile
which his courtiers had learned to
dread, yet he could not fail to see the
shrewdness of Sachio's reply.
At least guard her. then," said he
dryly. "She shall be our guest until
we learn more of what she knows. It
means too much to forego the full
reading of that coin these days. I
mean to have it. I trust all my officers
will realize that fact"
Mademoiselle," said Sachlo to Kit-
ty, later, when she had been with-
drawn to quarters which virtually
were to prove a prison to her, "You
have heard what the king has said
he will allow you to return to your
own country unharmed If you but help
him to the meaning of that Inscription.
What is it to you? It Is only idle curi-
osity brings you hither. With us it
may mean the life or death of our
country."
Kitty gave herself up to certain re-
flections at the time. As to war be-
tween the two kingdoms. If It came,
why should she aid Grahoffen against
the country with which she had be-
come more familiar? Neither had
done her much courtesy, true, but for
some strange reason her sympathies
were not with the country governed
by this Irascible and unlovely king.
-Think well, mademoiselle." went
on Sachlo. "It la a long way from here
to your country. The coin can mean
but little to you at best."
"It may mean much to me, broke
out Kitty suddenly "Listen. This
coin la not the property of your king
or of that other king. It la the prop-
erty of the people of these countries.
It seeks to tell them Its story—not to
any king for his selfish purposes—but
It seeks to make known its appeal for
Justice and liberty. What, think you
the people will forever be content to
remain • shuttlecock between you
two?"
A moment later and be had left
to her own dsvicee.
coin back again, that Is true, but the
young lady who we fancied would
come after It still remains absent
from our court There has been no
word from her for many days."
"True, your majesty, she bas dis-
appeared, It seems. I do not myself,
know where she Is."
"You have made Inquiry at her
usual place of residence—some hotel,
was It not ? An absurd thing, for such a
woman as herself to live to a hotel."
"At her hotel." replied Count Fred-
erick. "they know nothing. They tell
me that she comes and goes at all
hours, and leaves no word as to her
return. Nearly two weeks ago she
left, and has not yet returned."
"There may be many reasons," con-
tinued the count, "for her continued
absence. Perhaps the business upon
which she came Is not yet completed.
Perhaps her employers have called
her away. Perhaps she msy have
been intimidated by certain obstacles
In her way?"
"By whom. Count FYederick*"
"Well, she has seemed curious her-
self regarding the coin. Perhaps she
knew somewhat of It—"
So she also has studied this trinket
that we gave her? Very well—we
meant it to prove of Interest."
"Doubtless. But regarding the coin
so many threats have been made—"
"Threats? What threats? What do
you know of any?"
Many things come to my ears,
your majesty, but 1 strive to keep
them from your own ears so much
as may be when 1 find them unwel-
come."
The most unwelcome thing that
could come to us. nay dear Frederick,
Is the absence of this young woman
now. Where, think you, she may
be?"
1 could not guess, unless perhaps
she may have returned to her own
country—In which case we shall never
see her again, your majesty. We can
make examination of the passenger
llsu of all sailings within the last two
weeks. 1 will look Into that. If she
has not gone back to her own coun-
try, she either remains In this some-
where, or In some other near by."
"You do not mean Grahoffen?"
Count Frederick nodded "That
Is what I do mean. In truth, your
majesty, there are Grahoffen spies In
this city—they were even at your ball.
Perhaps they concern themselves with
this young lady. Why not? If they
the young girl, Sachlo grew somewhat
graven "This," said be, "Is a matter
for the king."
But the king was in no too good hu-
mor over all these failures.
"What. Sachlo," said he, "you come
to me once more with these old wom-
an's tales? If your time Is so short
before your secret la discovered, then
all the more reason for diligence on
your part It Is not the bustnsss of
kings to accept reasons for failure
In performaace. The girl Is still avail-
able—complete your errand with her
—bring to me the reading of the coin.
I know well enough that If Count
Frederick comes he will be different
from his king.
Therefore once more Sschlo went
back to his bootless Interviews with
Kitty, once more pleading with her to
give him all knowledge she had of
the coin. And once more Kitty could
no more than reassure blm of her owr
Ignorance of * hat be wished to
know.
She beard odds and ends of Informs-
tion which taught her which wsy the
wind sat at Grahoffen capital. Some-
times she heard Sachlo, again Bartel,
again this or that man. speaking
freely of the plans at band.
"I told the king," said Uartel one
time, speaking to Count Sachlo, "that
all is ripe for the shaking or the
tree. I told htm thst we have full
plans of all their fortifications and de-
fenses—that their resistance will be
You seek to explsln that to me? After
her. dullard, and bring her back In
twenty-four hours—or else do not re-
turn. You guess my meaning, Sachlo?"
ii
CHAPTER XXXI.
Again In OreUhoffen.
Pursuit? Kitty laughed at the
thought as she felt under her tbe
strong pulse of the grest machine
She had taken the driver's seat, an*
as the car was of left-hand drive, for
the time she had no opportunity to
look Into the tonneau. had she liked.
Listening to the swift purr of the
smooth motor, she did not at first
hear the sound of a chuckling laugh
back of her ^n the car—a chuckle
which at length broke out Into s
hearty gust of laughter.
She turned her eyea swiftly at risk
of capsizing the csr—and found her-
self gazing directly Into the face of
the man whom of all others she would
most hsve preferred to see.
Even now he came crawling across
the top of the seat to Join her In tbe
front of the car
"Koleau!" she exclaimed, "Is It In-
deed you? Are you alwaya to be the
deua e* machine In all my difficulties
—literally you are that now!"
"1 do not know what you mean by
that eicellency." said Roleau. as he
took the steering wheel from her. "but
I have been In this machine for some
time. I was satisfied that did you ee-
porter. "Clear the corridors at once,
in the king's name Apprehend tha
murderer whoever It may be. Have
the gendarmes come at once. Yon.
boy—run I say."
It waa hue and cry once more, and
Sachlo was glad enough that bis own
alibi was plain, for he knew not what
now might happen. One of his men
rejoined him—the spy Ilartel. Tho
other remained behind—his fate un-
known as yet.
As for Kitty, she wss at this mo-
ment once more away from her hotel
and once more In the sUtely palace
of Count Frederick.
She entered aoftly. leaving Roleau
as usual somewhat remote, to guard
against any sudden Intrusion. Once
more she cast about a searching gaze
upon the detalle of the place. All IU
b«. One... «« «.. 0~tt- ■ CM. yo„ woula
hoffen coffer* opened, times will be
easier In our country."
"Yes. once you do," rejoined Sachlo
grimly. "But tell us bow!"
Kitty, really owing allegiance to
neither of these kingdoms, both of
which had done her such repeated In-
justice, hardly stopped to ask herself
why she found her own leanings to-
wards Gretzhoffen. the scene of
most of the Indignities she had met
She must escape for every reason-
so she assured herself. But how?
From the windows she had a full
a means of getting away. All I need-
ed to do was to wait patiently. So you
have come. As soon as I could make
my own escape I secured this car—a
good one—and I followed. It was very
simple, as you see."
"At least a near squeak this time.
Roleau." said Kitty. They never
meant for me to escape."
"They do not mean it now, excel-
lency," said Roleau. nodding behind
him. where he knew pursuit even now
was beginning. "I will drive now as
I have never driven before. 'Tls
view of the well-kept TOJ--oMh. ^0^;^ It rides well. They
palace and of tbe boulevards «ur- 1
A
rounding It. She stood alone one dsy
sUrtng out on scenes grown familiar
to her. But all at once her gaze grew
more Intent fixed upon some object
not far away. A car was standing at
the curb. She did not remember to
have seen it there regularly.
The two giant grenadiers to whom
had been assigned the duty of watcb-
Kitty Escapes From the Palace.
CHAPTER XXX.
King Michael of Gretzhoffen.
Meantime to OreUhoffen town the
people remained Irreeolute. uncertain,
making no further overt attempt at
the long-pending revolution. And as
they waited their king amused him-
self after inch fashions as had long
been hla own. Continually he changed,
sometimes hoping, again dreading:
and aa often as he changed he sent
for Count Frederick, on whom be
leaned to fatuous confidence.
"But, my dear count" be re-
proached that gentleman one <
"you ba^e lsft one errand uncom-
pleted. Ye« tars brought m ®w
suspect that she had part of the coin
—and It was easily seen by any that
once she did have that part—might
they not undertake to make trouble
for their own purposes with her?"
"But what good would come of
that?"
Count Frederick saw that bis
argument had gone too far for his
own purposes. He did not care to
tell the king all be knew, yet his
zeal for Kitty had led him far.
"Much good might come to Grahoff-
en's war department your majesty.
If they knew our secrets. Perhaps
they thought she could give some In-
formation."
But you do not predict trouble be-
tween us and our neighbor—you do
not mean war?"
"Your majesty. I predict nothing
theae days, but always It to well to
be prepared."
"You disturb me sorely—do not
speak to me of war—I cannot endure
the thought—1 do not wish to hi
of it"
As It chanced, much of thia conver-
sation carte to the ear of one of
Sachio's agenU. the spy Bartel. still
about the city of Gretzhoffen.
He overheard enough In hla passing
by at the time of this conversation
to be advised that the king of Oreu
hoffen intended to make search for
the missing American. Not hesitat-
ing. be himself now sped off for his
employer to communicate this sews
that be had learned.
He found Sachlo aloof and discon-
tented. out of favor to the court and
somewhat at a lose what next to do.
At tbe thought of • definite demand
on the part of King Michael—or rath-
er on tbe part of Count Frederick—
•pea their kingdom for the psraoa of
tng afur her In her wanderings re-
garded her as little more than a child,
and they smiled as now abe pushed
past them through the door which led
out to the gardens. She walked out
to tbe car which stood at the curb,
regarding It curiously, as though It
were tbe first car she had ever seen
In her life—something very far from
true.
What tbe guards, wbo smilingly re-
garded ber through the windows,
saw waa a swift leap of tha girl to the
driver's seat ber rapid movemenU
with the controlling levers as she cut
on the epark, gave the car gaa. threw
to the clutch, threw open the throt-
tle, and drove nway. tbe cut-out muf-
fler roaring ber own defiance to pur-
suit
Hue and cry now through all
the halls of Grahoffen palace, and gen-
eral uproar. Count 8achlo. never too
far swsy, wss promptly oo the spot
When he saw what had happened he
cursed the two grenadiers with all his
ardent ■oul. Even the king, him-
self, aroused from bis midday slum-
bers. Joined in these scenes of excite-
ment
"What baa happened—what Is all
this about?" he demanded.
The trembling guards scarcely
dared UU him the truth.
""What she has eecaped—that pris-
oner! She was of more importance
any held here in our own re-
membrance. You shall all be held to
account for this. How now. Count
Sachio. did w« sot give her Into your
Immediate charger
"Your majesty, you did. I dare no
explanation of ber eecap*. Only—she
is gone."
"And with her enr only hope of sue-
aaaa to tbe ambitkms of this kingdom
will drive fast wbo follow us.
All of which was so literally true
that before long the desert miles once
more had sped beneath them and Kit-
(y found herself again in the city
she was more than ever disposed to
call her home. They found entrance
to the Rltz hotel at the rear door. In
view of their own travel-stained con-
dition.
"Excellency." said the grieved snd
pained clerk, when at length she msde
her way to the desk, "I was on the
point of removing your belongings snd
making other arrangements for your
apartmenU."
"By what right?" demanded Kitty.
"Tbey are paid for in advance—why
should they not be ready for me when
I come?"
"But we did not hear when you
would return."
"There are many things one does
not hear—perhaps you may hear very
little of my own business and my
plans. I pay for service here. Please
care for me, therefore, and my man
we both are tired "
"You have been Inquired for in your
absence, excellency. The Count Fred-
erick of Gretzhoffen—" m
"Indeed, and what could he want?
"He has been here twice, excellency,
but yesterday he came the last time.
He said he came on message of the
king—w hich gave me warrant for what
he asked."
"And what was that?"
"Access to your apartments. He
said it was tbe command of the king."
"And you dared give him such ac-
cess
"We dared not do less, excellency.
He was most courteous in one way-
asked many questions regarding your-
self; but aa to search of your spart-
ments he made none, or next to none.
He seemed to care for nothing tbat he
saw. save one little picture, a portrait"
Kitty remained but briefly in her
own rooms. She took a swift glance
about Everything seemed to place,
much aa she had left It—no search ap-
parently bad been made of any of the
cablneU or drawers. There had been
a little picture—one of herself—left
on the dressing table It was gone!
She missed nothing else.
Sschlo Takes AdvanUgs of Kitty's
Helplessness, But Is Interrupted By
a Guard.
CHAPTER XXXII.
In the Name of the King.
It waa plalp enough to Count Sachlo
Which way Kitty would head In her
flight Her car was little more than
out of sight on the Gretzhoffen road,
ere Sachlo himself waa to pursuit
Count Sachlo himself was no blun-
derer. and no common thief chaser. but
a courtier and a man of Intelligence.
He knew It would be futile to make
a direct demand of the hotel manage-
ment regarding the whereebouts of
the young American. Therefore, while
he himself approached the hotel desk
to engage the clerks In conversation,
he sent two of his own men—one of
them Bartel. the spy. who bad been
esUblished here so long—by way of
a rear stairway to find Kitty's room
and report to him what they learned
He stood for some time making po-
ltte speeches with the deek men and
the porters, asking for certain Infor-
mation as to routes and distances, but
all the time burning with Impatience
ih«i he beard no report from his mes-
sengers. As he stood, there came
news of them—eurtllng news enough
There came shrieking down the stairs.
Incoherent babbling, a maid who
called out to the clerk, or to aay who
would bear her'
"A maa. ahe cried—"A maa—killed
in her room—the young Americans
room—murdered—It la murder, I teU
you!"
The officials of tha hotel took
prompt action.
"Close all tha dssnC
disorder bad been removed. Spick
and span In military neatness tha
apartment lay before her.
Upon the dresaer. In full view,
openly displayed, was a picture to •
little frame—a frame of silver eat to.
brilliant gems. She looked at It sud-
denly—It was the portrait of herself
wblcb once had stood on her own
dressing Uble In ber hotel! Now It
was here. Why? Kitty felt a strange
flush come to her face.
Something now arreeted her—aha
paused, reluctant to reeume a search
which ever bad been dlstasUful to
ber. No. she would not touch a thing
—had be not done as much for ber—
bad he not been more respectful than
herself of another'a privacy? If be
had taken anything frem ber apart-
menU it waa but—this. And appa-
rently he had cherished It No, she
would not search for the coin. She
would leave this country disappoint-
ed, if need be.
But there toy. Just at the foot of the
little portrait, an object which caught
her eye. It waa tbe half coin of
Gretzhoffen!
Yea, here It was In full view, open-
ly displayed, that sny might see It
who liked, who chanced to be there.
Appsrently Count Frederick felt that
all pursuit of the coin hsd ended—that
no longer could any intruder gain ac-
cess to hla palace.
Kitty hesiuted for a moment. The
appeal of the coin came to her once
more. She took It up. held It in her
hand, gazed at It—and once more, as
so often had been the case—she found
herself surprised at the very moment
of her success.
She beard Count Frederick's quiet
footsteps, his calm voice behind be^
"Mademoiselle, again!"
The count stood there regarding
her.
Evidently, mademoiselle, you did
not realize that these repeated visits
rendered necessary the InsUllatlon of
sn electric system of my own devis-
ing—you see, I knew of your presence,
and aa you see, I have come. You
rang. Of what service can 1 bo.
mademoiselle?"
"Leave me alone," panted Kitty, her
face hot. tears almost in ber eyes. "I
hate you! I hate you!"
"I grieve at that mademoiselle."
said Count Frederick evenly. "I wish
I could say the same of you—but K
cannot With every reason to distrust
you—I cannot. Continually we cross
swords, do we not? And you wera
easy to deceive this time. See—
are trapped as simply ss a bird which
steps into 1U cage without hesitation.
"Will you not give me back my noto.
mademoiselle? Will you not add It to
the other? Will you not assist me l
reading the message of the coin, so
twe may make an end of all this
—so that we may not continually croaa
swords with one another?"
In answer Kitty darted past him.
found her way Into the hall, ran ahe
knew not where. Before her lay •
little narrow stairway, and she spraa*
up it hoping to find egress some-
where. Alas! tbe door that cloeed tha
head of the stair waa locked. Sha
heard his low laugh as sa Iron grille
snapped across the opening, cutting
off escape.
"Wont you glvs it me now mr
coinV be asked.
Silence reigned in the great white
marble palace of Count Frederick oC
Greuhoffen.
And now. far off to other parts of
the city, where men sought one who
had done a crime, there roee to tha
streeu the sound of hurrying feet*
with the warning cry. "to the name t4
the king'-"
(TO Be Continued.) - J
isMmaiiaiSMiaalMdfltfa
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The Geary Booster (Geary, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 2, 1915, newspaper, September 2, 1915; Geary, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc185046/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.