Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-21

man turned 10 go. but at the door the
concierge stopped him.
"A moment" he said. I'VE will select
frst the shape and fashion of this en-
Velope you saw, These matters re-
quire finesse."
He disappeared, returning shortly with
wooden box filled to the top with old
envelopes. Each had been neatly opened
and It's contents extracted. And on each
was neatly penned in corner the name
of the sender. Herman watched while
the concierge dug through it.
Here II is" he said at last "The
Countess. to her aunt in Il nunnery and
relating to wool knitting See, is this
the sort of envclope?"
That is gray" Herman Spler said
sullenly.
But in size?"
ut is similar"
Good" lie held the envelope TO the
! light and inspected It. "lt would be
interesting to know" he said whether
the Countess has an aunt in this nun
merry, or whether-but go. man. And
/ hurry"
/ Left alone, he got together pens. ink
1 and carbon paper. He worked awk-
wardly, his hands too large for the pen.
/ his elbows spread wide over the table.
But the result was fair. lie surveyed
| II with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, back went Herman over
| his earlier route. But now he did not
| run. His craven Knees shook beneath
/ him. Fresh sweat. not OF haste. but Of
/ fear broke out over him. He who was
brave enough of tongue in the meetings
| who was capable of rising to heights
Of cruelty that amounted to ferocity
/ when one of a mob. was Il coward alone
However. the sight of the restaurant
and Of his fellow clerk eating calmly
quietcd him. Peter Niburg was still
alone. Herman took n table near hin
and ordered bowl of soup His hand:
shook, but the hot food revived him
After all, IL was simple enough. But
of course. 1t hinged entirely on his fel
low-clerks agreeing to accompanying
him.
He glanced across. Peter Niburg wa
eating, but his eyes were fixed on Ma
dame Marie at her high desk. Their
was speculation In them and somethin,
else Triumph. perhaps.
Suddenly Herman became calm. Cain
with hate.
And after all. it was very easy Pete
Niburg was lonely. The bNrden of tn
letter oppressed him. lie wanted tn
comfort of human conversation and Tn
reinsurance of a familiar face. Whe
the two met at the rack by the doc
(Which contained their hats, his expires
sion was almost friendly. They wen
out together
"a fine night" said Herman and cas-
an eye at tho sky.
Fine enough"
"Too good to waste in sleep. ! wa
thinking" observed Herman. of a
} hour or two at the Hungaria."
3 The Hungaria. Something in Peter
pleasure hungry heart leaped, but l
mocked his felow-Clerk
Since when" he inquired, have &c
5 frequented the Hungarian
). II feel In the mood" was the som
{ what sulen reply. Il work hard enoug
> God knows. to have n little plcasu
e row and then" Danger was making hi
e shrewd. He turned away from Pet
Niburg. then faced him again. IF "
y care to come" lie suggested. Not
U supper. you understand. but a glass
wine, Italian champagne" he added.
Peter Niburg was fond of sweet chal
o pagne.
Z, Peter Niburg pushed his hat to I
i back of his head and hung his stick
; his forearm. After all. why not? Mai
u was gone Let the past die. If Herm
~ could make the first move, let hi
~ Peter. make the second. He linked arr
:, with his old enemy.
. "a fine night" he SAID.
CONTINUED TOMORROW