The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-05-04

done this infamous lnluS, one VI HIS
own officers, indeed.
go through the pockets he or
dered sternly.
Came into view under the flash
pair of gloves, a box of matches. a silk
handkerchief, a card case. The agent
said nothing, but passed card to the
chancellor, who read 1t without COM
ment.
There was silence in the car.
At last the chancellor stirred. This
mamie took your car on!'
YES. And he has not returned. No
other machine has passed
The secret service men exchanged
elances. There was more to this thun
appeared. Somewhere ahead, then,
was Milky LariSch, with motor that
did not belong to him, and wearing
clothing which his victim described as
| q chauffeur's coat Of leather, breeches
and puttees, and a fur greatcoat over
all.
Had the snow commenced when
| this happened?'
Not then, sir Shortly after
"Go out with the driver" the
chancellor ordered one of his men,
and watch the road for the tracks OF
another car. Go slowly"
So it was that, after an hour or So
they picked up Nikky's TRAIL now
twenty-four hours old but still clear
and followed 1t. The chancellor was
awake enough by this time, and bend
ing forward. When at last the tran
turned from the highway toward the
shooting box at Wedding, Mettlich fell
back with something between curse
and groan.
| THE fool" he muttered. The
young fool! 1t was Madness
| AT last they drew up at an Inn In
the village on the royal preserve, ana
the chancellor, looking rather gray,
aligbted, He directed that the man
they had rescued be brought in. The
chancellor was not for losing him just
vet. He took room for him at the
inn. and rather cayalierly locked him
in it.
The chancellor slipped hot milk and
considered. Milky Larisch a prisoner
In Karl's hands caused him less
anxiety than it would have month
before. But what was behind it all?
At little before five the man out
side the prisoners door heard some
thing inside the room. He glanced in
All was quiet. The prisoner slept
heavily, genuine sleep. There was nc
mistaking it, the sleep of man warm
after long cold and exhaustion, weary
after violent effort. The agent went
out again, and locked the door behind
him.
And as the door closed, a trap door
from the kitchen below opened softly
under the sleeping mans bed. With
great caution came the landlord, head
first, then shoulders. The space was
cramped. He crawled up, like snake
out Of a hole, and ducked behind the
curtains of the bed. All was still quiet
save that the man outside struck q
match and lighted pipe.
Half an hour later, the chancell0r's
prisoner, still stiff and weak, was max
ing his way toward the hunting lodge
Kaiser saw him first, and found the
story notwithstanding. Nor could Karl
reused by terrified valet, make much
more Of it. When the man had gone
Karl lay back among his pillows anC
eyed his agent.
$50 Mettlich Is here!" he said. "a
hasty journey. They must be eager
"They must be in trouble" Kaiser
observed dryly. And on that uncom
plimentary comment King Karl slept
his face drawn into weary smile.
But he received the chancellor OF
Livonia cordially the next morning, go
ing himself to the lodge doorstep t.
meet his visitor, and there shaking
hands with him.
II am greatly honored, excellency,'
he said, with his twisted smile.
"And /, sire"
But the chancellor watched hin
from under his shaggy brows. TIT
messenger had escaped. By now kar
knew the story, knew of his midnigh
ride over the mountains, and the hast
1t indicated.
Karl himself led the way to nj
study, ignoring the chamberlain, ant
stood aside to let Mettlich enter
. Then he followed and closed the door
1T Is a long time since you haV
honored Karnia with visit" Karl Oh
served. "Will you sit down."
Karl himself did not sit. He stoo'
negligently beside the mantel, an arn
stretched along it.
"Not since the battle of the Al
sire" replied the chancellor dryly. ii
had headed an army of invasion Their
Karl smiled. Il hope that now you
errand is more peaceful"
For answer the chancellor opened
portfolio he carried, and tumble
among its papers. But having foun
a the right one, he held it without oper
ing it. Before we come to that, sire
r YOU have here, I believe, detained TO
; some strange reason, a Captain Lal
isch, aide-de-camp"-he paused for e
). fect-"to his royal highness, the crow
prince Of Livonia.'
Karl glanced up quickly. "PerhaD
d if you will describe this-senti'