Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-11

Ah~+ -gexsA
 Was tt dru0gcdf" to Strelsau today. I know the look of it. He'll not move for six or seven hours yet"
 But the coronationw cried in hor- TOT. Fritz shrugged his shoulders, as I began to see was his habit on most oc- casions. We must send word that he's ill.," he said.
 T suppose so,' said I.
 Old Sapt, wlo seemed as fresh as a daisy, had lit his pipe and was putting hard at it.
 "If he's not crowned today" said he, "I'll lay crown he's never crowned" But, heavens, why?
 "The whole nations there to meet him-half the army, aye, and Black Michael at the head. Shall we send word that the kings drunk?"
 That he's ill.," said I in correction. I'll" echoed Sapt, with scornful laugh. They know his illnesses too we'll. He's been ilr before" "Well, we must chance what they think" said Fritz helplessly. I'll car ry the news and make the best of it." 'Sapt raised his hand. Tell me-" said he, do you think the king was druggedw
 'I do," said I.
 And who drugged himT'
 ''That d--d hound, Black Mich. ael," said Fritz between his teeth.
 Aye" said Sapt, that he might not come to be crowned. Rassendyll here doesn't know our pretty Michael. What think you, Fritz-has Michael no king ready? Has half Strelsau no other candidate? As Gods alive, man, the thrones lost if the king show him. self not in Strelsau today. know Black Michael"
 "We could carry him there," said I. And very pretty picture he makes.' sneered Sapt.
 Fritz von Tarlenheim buried his face in his hands. The king breathed loud ly and heavily. Sapt stirred him again with his foot. "The drunken dog!" he said. "But he's m Elphberg and the son of his father, .and may rot before Black Michael sits in his placer'
 For a moment or two we were all silent. Then Sapt, knitting his bushy gray brows. took his pipe from his mouth and said to me:
 "As man grows old he believes in Fate. Fate sent you here. Fate sends you now to Strelsau."
 I staggered back, murmuring, Good Godv
 Fritz looked up with an eager, be- wildered gaze.
 "Imposslble~ I muttered. "I should be known"
 "It's a risk-against . certainty" said sapt. If you shave. I'll wager you'll not be known. Are you afraidT' "Sir.'
 Come. lad-there, there. But It's your life. you know, if you're known and mine-and Fritz's here. But If you don't go I swear to you Black Michael will sit tonight on the throne and the king lie in prison or his grave" "The king would never forgive it." stammered.
 Are we women? Who cares for his forgivenessT
 The clock ticked fifty times. and six ty and seventy times. as I stood ir thought. Then suppose a look came over my face. for old Sapt caught me by the hand. crying:
 ''You'li go?'
 "Yes; I'll go." said I, and turned my eyes on the prostrate figure of the king on the floor.
 Tonight" Sapt went on In a hasty whisper. we are to lodge In the pal ace. The moment they leave us you and I will mount our horses-Fritl must stay here and guard the king'i room-and ride here at a gsllop. Ths king will be ready-Josef will tell hin and he must ride back with me tt Strelsau. and you ride as If the devi were behind you to the frontier"
 took it all in in a second and nod ded my head
 There's a chance said Frtz, witl his first sign of hopefulness.
 If I escape detection" said I.
 If we're detected-- said Sapt. 'Tl send Black Michael down below befor' I % myself. so help me heaven. si in that chair. man." obeyed him.
 He dsrted from the room, calling "Josef. Josef.- In three minutes b was back. and Josef with him. In latter carried a jug of hot water, soal and razors. He was trembling as Sap told him how the land lay and bad him shave me
 Suddenly Fritz snote on his thigh:
 But the guard. They'll know They'll knov-
 Pooh. We shsn-t wait for the guard weI ride to Hofban and e1trh a trail tbere- When they come the bird I be fovn--