Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-03

What's that"
The odds were on our side, or we'd
be fighting yet
THAT we would. The poor devils Were
always hungry when we whipped them
badly
But you're from this side of the wa
ter?''
Yes: went over when 1 was twenty
two" Grumbach sucked his pipe stolid-
What part of GERMANY"
Bavaria; it is so written i'm my pass
ports
Munich"
Grumbach circled the room. All the
near tables were vacant. The Black
Eagle was generally lonely place till
late in the afternoon. Grumbach touched
the scar tenderly. Could he trust this
man? Could he trust any one in the
michael and he did not disregard it.
Il was born in this very street. he
whispered.
"Here?''
''sh. Not so loud. Yes. in this very
street. But if the police knew, | wouldn I
be worth that,''-with a snap of the fin
gers. MY passports. my American
citizenship. they would be worthless. You
know that"
But what does this all meano What
have you done that you can't come back
here openly?" Here was mystery.
This man with the kindly face and frank
eyes could he no ordinary criminal. Can
help you in any way?"
No: no one can help me-.
But why did you come back? You
were safe enough in New York
who can say what man will do?
Don't question me. Let be. | have
said too much already. Some day per
haps I shall tell you why. When ! went
away 1 was thin and pale and had yell
low hair. Today l am fat, gray-headed;
l have made money. Who will recognize
me now? No one
But your name?"
Grumbach laughed unmusically. "Grum-
bach is as good as another. Listen.
You are my comrade now: we have shed
our blood on the same field. There is no
tie stronger than that. When l left
Dreiberg there was a reward of a thou
sand crowns for me. Dead or alive,
preferably dead
Carmichael was plainly bewildered. He
tried to recall the past history of Ehren-
misunderstanding German. He was
blocked.
Dead or alive" he repeated.
so"
You were mad to return
Il know it. But | had to come; l
that. l never hurt anybody. unless it
was in battle"-naively. Ask no more
my friend. / promise to tell YOU when
the right time comes. Now. will you get
me that lnNllaCOn 10 the gallery at the
military bal?"
Il will, if you will give me your word.
as soldier as a comrade in arms. that
you have no other purpose than TO look
at the people
AS God is my -solemnly-"that
is all / wish to do. Now. what has
happened since l went away? i have
dared to ask questions of no one
Carmichael gave him brief summary
of events. principal among which was the
amazing restoration of the Princess Hill
degarde When he had finished. Grum-
bach remained dumb and motionlesS for
time.
And what is her serene highness like"
To describe the Princess Hildegarde
was not only an easy task. but a pleas
ant one to Carmichael. and il he EN-
broidered this description here and there,
Grumbach was too deeply concerned with
the essential points to notice these va
riations in the theme.
so she is gentle and beautiful? Why
not? Ach. You should have seen her
mother. She was the most beautiful
woman in all Germany, and she sang
like one of those Italian nightingales.
recall her when ] was boy. l would
gladly have died at a word from her. All
loved her. The King of Jugenheit wanted
the Princess Hildegarde has come back
to her own? God is good.' And Grum-
bach bent his head reverently.
Well" said Carmichael. reckoning to
the waitress, and paying the score, If
any trouble rises. send for me. You
thing very bad lie offered his hand
again.
Grumbach pressed it firmly, and there
was a moisture in his eyes.
Together they returned to the Grand
Hotel for lunch. On the way neither