Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-16
CHAPTER XIV.
The Wrong Man.

The Wrong Man.
Herbeck dropped his quill. and there
was a dream in his eyes. His desk was
Uttered with papers. we'll covered with
ink: flowing sentences and innumerable
figures. He was the watchdog of the
duchy. Never a bill from the reichstag
that did not pass under his cold eye be-
fore it went to the duke for his signature,
his approval or veto. Not a copper was
needlessly wasted, and never was one
held back unnecessarily. i.erbeck was
just both in great and little things. The
commoners could neither fool nor brow
beat him.
The dream in his eyes grew: it was
tender and kindly. The bar of sunlight
heightened across his desk and finally
passed on. Still he sat there, motionless.
rapt. And thus the duke found him. But
there. was no dream in his eyes: they
were cold with implacable anger. He held
a letter in his hand and tossed it to Her.
beck.
II shall throw ten thousand men across
the frontier tonight, let the consequences
be what they may"
Ten thousand mem" The dream was
shattered. War again?
Read that 1t is the second anony-
nous communication L nave received
within q week. AS the first was truthful
there is no reason to believe this one to
be false"
Herbeck read and he was genuinely
startled
What do you say to that?" trium-
phantly.
This with that rapid decision which
made him the really great tactician he
was. let them go quietly back to Jug
endheit.''
Not" blazed the duke.
Are we rich enough for war;"
Always questions, questions! What
the devil Is my army for IL not to uphold
my dignity? Herbeck. you shall not
argue me out OF this
Rather let me reason. This is some
prank, which 1 am sure does not concern
Ehrenstein in the least. They would
never dare enter Dreiberg for aught else.
There must be a flaw in our secret serv-
Ice
II have seen this writing before said
Herbeck. II shall make 1t my business
to inquire who it is that takes this kindly
interest in the affairs of state"
The duke struck the bell violently.
Summon the chief of police" he said
to the secretary.
Yes, yes. your highness. let it be a
police affair. This letter does not state
the why and wherefore Of their presence
here"
nOlOS enough Tor HE.
''Will your highness leave the matter
in my hands?''
..Herbeck, in some things you are
eak."
And in others I am strong" smiled
the chancellor. II am weak when there
is talk of war; l am strong when peace
is in the balance
lis 1t possible, Herbeck, that you do
not appreciate the magnitude Of the situa-
tion?'
T
wish to move slowly. Wait. Let the
police find out why they are here. There
will be time enough then to declare war.
They have never seen her highness. Who
knows?"
"Ah. But they have violated the
treaty."
THAT depends upon whether their pres
ence here Is or is not a menace to the
state. II they are here on private con-
Germs which In no wise touch Ehrenstein,
1t would be foolhardy to declare war.
Your highness is always letting your
personal wounds blur your eyesight Some
day you will find that Jugendheit is In
nocent."
God hasten the day and hour!''
Eyes, let us hope that the mystery OF
it all will be cleared up. You are just
and patient In everything but this" Her
beck idled with his quill. The little fin
ger of his right hand was badly SCARED.
the mutilation sof fencing bout In his
What do YOU adviser" YEARLY. 1t
seemed to the duke that Herbeck Of late
never agreed with him.
MY advice is to wait. In day or
so arrest them under the pretext that you
believe them to be spies. If they remain
mute then the case is serious. and you
will have them on the hip. If. on the
other hand. this invasion Is harmless and
they declare themselves, the matter can
be adjusted in this wise-ignore their dec
Yov ~ Gra ftnry a ar fy1yn
In the city prison. then publish the news
broadcast. Having themselves broken
the letter IL not the spirit OF the treaty.
they will not dare declare war. Every
court in Europe will laugh"
The duke struck his hands together.
"You are always right. Herbeck. This
plan could not have been devised better
or more to N.Y. satisfaction" The duke
laughed. "You are right. All, here is
the chief"
Herbech read the letter in part to the
chief, who jotted down the words, repeat
ing aloud in kind of mutter: "A noun
taineer, vintner, q carter, a butcher
and a baker. You will give me their de-
scriptions, your excellency?"
Herbeck read the postscript.
But you don't tell him who
why should he know" said Herbeck.
glancing shrewdly at the duke. His
ignorance will be all the better for the
plot
"Then this is big game, your highness"
asked the chief.
big game"
''One is as big and powerful as a Car
pathian bear. Look out" warned Her
beck.
"And he is?'
1.-The mountaineer."
"And the vintner?
"Oh, he is a little fellow and hasn't
grown his bite yet" said Herbeck. dryly.
The duke laughed again. It would be
as good as a play.
II thank you, Herbeck. You have neat
" arranged a fine comedy. 1 do not
think so clearly as I used to. When the
arrest is made, give it as much publicity
as possible. Take a squad of soldiers:
1t will give it military look. VIII you
be on the field this afternoon"
= mo. your highness." touching the pa
perse which strewed his desk; this will
keep me busy well into evening"
The. duke waved his hand cheerfully
and left the cabinet.
Your excellency. then, really leaves
me to work in the dark?" asked the chief.
uneasily.
Yes" tearing up the note. But you
will not be in the dark long after you
have arrested these persons. Begin with
the mountaineer and the vintner; the
others do not matter SO much" Then
Herbeck laughed. The chief raised his
head. He had not heard his excellency
laugh like that in many moons. Report