Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-05-17

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measures. 1t was because he was old
that he feared change. He stumped
through the passageway without urg-
ing, and stood erect and with shoulders
squared while the bandage was re.
moved.
He was rather longer than Olga
Loschek had been In comprehending
his surroundings. His old eyes at first
saw little but the table and its candles
in their gruesome holders. But when
he saw the committee his heart failed.
Here, embodied before him, was every
thing he had loathed during all his
upright and loyal years-anarchy,
murder. treason. His face worked.
The cords in his neck stood out like
strings drawn to the breaking point.
The concierge was speaking. For
all his Boosting, he was Ill at ease.
His voice had lost Its bravado, and
had taken On a fawning note.
"This is the man Of whom word was
sent to the committee" he said. II
ventured 70 ask that he be allowed
to come here, because he brings In
formation of value"
"Step forward, eomrade," said the
leader. "What is your name and &C.
cupation?"
"Adelbert, excellency. As to occu-
patton, for years I was connected with
the opera. Twenty years, excellency.
Then I grew old, and another" His
voice broke.
"What is the information that brings
you hereT
Suddenly old Adelbert wept, terrible
tears that forced their way from his
faded eyes, and ran down his cheeks.
81 cannot, excellencies |" he cried. II
find I cannot"
He collapsed into the chair, and
throwing his arms across the table
bowed his head on them. His shoul-
ders heaved under his old uniform.
The committee stirred, and the n
cierge caught him brutally by the
wrist.
up with your" he said, from
clenched teeth. "What stupidity is
this? Would you play with death?"
Bat old Adelbert was beyond fear.
He shook his head. Il cannot" he
muttered, his face hidden.
Then the concierge stood erect and
folded his arms across his chest. "He
is terrified, that is ALL" he said. IF
the committee wishes. I can tell them
of this matter. Later, he can be In
tefrogated."
The leader nodded. ~ ~
by chance" said the concierge,
"this-this braye4veteran"-he glanced
contemptuously at the huddled figure
In the chair-'has come across an old
passage, the one which runor has said
lay under the city wall, and for which
We have at different times instituted
search"
He paused, to give his words weight.
That they were of supreme interest
could be told by the craning forward
of the committee.
"The entrance is concealed at the
base Of the old Gate of the Moon. Our
friend here followed it, and reports
1t in good condition. For a mile Dr.
destroyed wall. Then it turns and
goes TO the palace lrSelI.
'Into the palace?"
by a flight of stairs, inside the
wall, to a door in the roof. This door,
which was locked, he opened, having
carried keys with him. The door he
describes as in the tower. AS 1t was
night, he could not see clearly, but
the roof at that point is fat"
"Stand up, Adelbert," said the leader
sharply. 'This that U comrade tells
is trueT
TT is true, excellency."
"Shown a diagram of the palace,
could you locate this door?'
Old Adelbert stared around him
hopelessly. 1t was done now. Moth
ing that he could say or refuse to say
would change that. He nodded.
When. soon after, a chart of the
palace was placed on the table, he in