Putnam patriot., 1910-09-09
<<%*< By <<<<<
HAROLD MaC6RATn
Copyrisht. 1909. by the bcbbs-k klsssil1
 Company

nes grinned; the subchlef swore under his breath
 The devil fly away with you both." be cried. making the best of his cha. grin. And when you marry don't in vite me to the wedding" After they had gone. however. he called for an assistant
 Did you see that young vintnerr. "Yes"
 Follow him night and day. Find out where he lives and what he does and ransaek his room If possible. He is either an innocent man or a sleek rascal. Report to me this time each night"
 On reaching the street Gretchen gave rein to her laughter. AS they turned Into the krumerweg they almost ran into Carmic haet
 Herr CarmiehaeIr said Gretchen. And what are you doing here this time of the nighty.' "I am looking for kind of ghost. a specter in black that leaves the palace early in the evening and returns late,
 whose destination has invariably been 40 Krumerweg. The vintner started. F "My houseT' cried Gretchen.
 "Yours: Perhaps you can dispel this phantom?" said Carmichael.
 "She was lady who comes on charitable errand But now she will come no more The object of her visits is gone." Gretchen answered sadly.
 My luck,'' ruefully.
 Are you not afraid to walk about
 in, this part of the town so late?' put
 in the vintner.
 Afraid: Of what? Thievesf Bah. my little man. carry a sword stick. and. moreover. l know how to use it tolerably we'll Good night" And he swung along. The vintner was not patient tonight. "Who is this mysterious womang'
 "I am not free to tell you" "Ohr'
 Leopold. what is the matter with you tonight? You act like boy" T am wrong. Gretchen. You are right. Kiss me"
 She liked the tone; she liked the kisses. too. though they hurt.
 Good night. my man. she whisper ed.
 Good night. my woman! Tomor- row night at
 He turned and ran lightly and swift ly up the street. From the opposite doorway noun taineer. a carter. a butcher and
 baker stepped cautiously forth.
 He heard something" said the mountaineer. He has ears like a rat for hearing. What a pretty picture" cynically. "Ail the world loves a lover sometimes Touching scene."
 No one replied; no one was expected to reply. More than that. no one cared to court the fury which lay thinly disguised in the mountaineer's tones. Tomorrow night you heard what be said l am growing weary Of this play. You will stop him on his way 10 wonder house. 4 closed carriage will be at hand Before he enters. remem- Der. She watches him too long when he leaves Fool.' The quartet stole along in the dark ness noiseiessly and secretly. The vintner had indeed heard some thing. He knew not what this noise was. but it was enough to sat his heels 10 flying. His room held cot. ta- bic and two chairs. Out of the drawer in the table he took several papers and sn h \ hatch nf WhifR paper just inside the door caught his eve. He fetched 1t to the candle What he read forced the color from his cheeks. and his hands were touch ed with transient palsy. ..The devil. What shall I do nowr | he muttered. What indeed should he do? Which way should he moves Carmichaei. l Carmichael. The vintner chuckled | softly as he scrubbed this note: | If Herr Carmichael would learn the SC | cret of No. @ Krumerweg. let him attire | himself as vintner and be m the hru- | nerweg at O clock tonight i 50 there is a trap. and I am to be l ware of a mountaineer. carter. l huteber and a baker: Thanks, Schar- l senstein. my friend. thanks. You are | watching over me.
  Colonel von wallenstein curied bis | mustaches. Ii was happy thought that had taken him into the Aldersasse | This Gretchen had been haunting bis dreams. and here she was coming into his rery arms. as il were Gretchen stopps-f, . cold furry in her heart
 Herr, I wish to pass-'
 That is possible. Gretchen
 ~wn you stand asideT
 You hunt my dreams"
 That 0uuld be . pity
 ..I am uoe gong to let you pa0 uli have hn0 . kiss-"
 -Ah- Battle famed up Ia 0fseehess
 eyes.
 -win yoa It me by peacefuny!
 -After the toli-after the tot"
 Too late she started to run He
 laughed and caught hold of her Win Il A .