Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-09-23
CHAPTER v.
THE KINGS LETTER.

CHAPTER v.
THE KINGS LETTER.
~ARMICHAEL at once sought
the chancellOr's cabinet. To
his surprise the room was al.
~ ready tenanted. Grumbach
aud police officer!
whats the troubleF Carmichael
inquired.
Your excellency knows as much as
l d." said the officer.
Occasionally Grumbach wiped his
forehead. Then the chancellor came
in. He bowed cordially and drew
chairs about his desk. He placed
Grumbach In the full glare Of the
lamp.
Herr Grumbach." said the chancel-
lOr In mild tone. II should like to see
your papers"
Grumbach laid them ON the desk i'm
perturbably. The chancellor struck
the bell. His valet answered immedi-
ately.
Send Breunner. the head gardener.
ut once"
The chancellor shot piercing glance
at Grumbach.
Breunner entered He was thin and
partly bald.
"Breunner. her hlghness will need
many flowers tomorrow. See to 1t that
they are cut In the morning"
ut shall be done. excellency."
The chancellor turned to the pass
ports.
"There IL only one question. Herr
Grumbach. 1t snys here that you were
a native Of Bavaria before going to
America. How long ago did you leave
Bavariay''
"A good many years. your excellen.
cy."
"You have. OF course. retained your
Bavarian passport
Grumbach brought forth bulky
wallet.
Here II Il. your excellency."
The chancellor went over It care
fully.
Herr Captain. do you know this
compatriot?"
I'VE fought side by side in the
American war. ] saw no irregularity
in his papers"
"Then he Is no stranger to your"
Il do not say that We were, how.
ever. in the same cavalry. only In diff
fefent troops. Grumbach. you have
your honorable discharge with your
Grunibach went into his wallet still
again. This document the chancellor
read with an interest foreign to the
affair under his hand. Presently he
laughed softly.
II am sorry. Herr Grumbach. All
this unnecessary trouble simply be-
cause Of the word Bavaria. How long
will you be making your visit?'
Only few days. Then I shall pro-
coed to Bavaria"
"Your excellency has no further or
ders?" said the head gardener patient.
~.
Good heaven. Breunner. I had for.
gotten all about you! There Is nothing
more. Herr Captain. you will return
with me to the ballroom?'
III your excellency will excuse me.
no. am tired. shall return to the
hotel with Herr Grumbach."
Carmichael and Grumbach crossed
the Platz leisurely.
"How did you come by that Bava.
Ran passport" asked Carmichael alb
ruptly.
1T Is a forgery. my friend, but his
excellency will never find that out"
"You have me all at sea. Why did
he bring in the head gardener and
leave him standing there all that
whileY
He had q sound purpose, but 1t fell.
The head gardener did not recognize
me-"
do you know himr'
Eyes. He Is my elder brother"
The ambassador from Jugendheit
Baron Won Steinbock, was not popular
in Dreiberg. at least not among the
people who still held to the grand
dukes idea that the kingdom had been
behind the abduction of the Princess
Hildegarde. Never q hot headed Drei-
berger passed his house without a de-
sire to loot 1t, to scale the piked fence
and batter In the doors and windows.
The king Of Jugendheit was to mar
~ her serene highness. The menials
In and about the embassy felt the new
Importance Of their positions. So then
imagine the indignation Of the major
domo when. summoned at dusk one
evening to the carriage gates three or
four days after the portentous news
had issued from the palace. he found
only a ragged and grimy carter who
demanded peremptorily to be admit.
ted and taken to his excellency at
once.
go awayr The majordomo spun
on his heels contemptuously.
II will skin you ahve,v vowed the
carter, striking the iron with the butt
Of his whip. III you do not open these
gates Immediately. Openr'
III you do not stop hammering on
those barr shall send for the police"
The carter thrust hand through the
grill. There was q ring on one Of his
fingers.
"Imbecile. Get your eye on that and
admit me without more ado!"