The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-08-30

|
sue their clerical occupations even On
holidays.
Milky had reluctantly removed his
cap. His goggles, however. he ven
tured TO retain. He was conscious
| that his guide was studying him In
tently. But not with suspicion. he
thought. Rather as one who would
gauge the caliber of the man before
him. He seemed satisfied, too, for his
voice. which had been curt. grew more
friendly.
you had no troubic?'' he asked.
| None sir
IBID Nlburg say nnythlng?"
Niburg, then. was the spy of the
cathedral. Milky reflected. Suddenly
he saw way out. 1t was. he after
ward proclaimed, not his own aought.
1t came TO him like message. He
burned candle to his patron saint.
some time later. for 1t.
THE man Niburg Ind Ind nm unfor-
tunate experience. sir. lie reported
that. during an evening stroll. before
he met me. he was attacked by three
men, with the evident intention OF Sc
curing the lerter lie was badly beaten
up"
| His companion started. "Nlburg."
he said. Then" He glanced at the
letter he held. I'VE must find some
one else he muttered. II never
trusted the fellow. A clerk, nothing
else. For this work 1t takes wit
\ Milky. sweating with strain, felt
| "a
used up, SIR" he offered. ''Could hard
ly walk. md was stili trembling with
excitement when met him"
The man touched bell. Tell his
majesty" he said to the servant who
appeared. that his messenger is here"
The servant bowed and withdrew.
Milky found the wait that followed
trying. He thought of Hedwig. and Of
the little crown prince. Suddenly he
knew that he had no right to attempt
this thing. He had given his word.
almost his oath, to the king. to protect
and watch over the boy. And here he
was, knowing now that mischief was
afoot, and powerless. He cursed him
self for his folly.
Then Karl came in. He came alone
closing the door behind him. Milky
and his companion. bowed, and Milky
surveyed him through his poggles. The
same mocking face he remembered
from Karl's visit to the summer pal
ace. the same easy, graceful carriage,
the same small mustache. He was in
uniform and apparently In n compare
lively gracious mood. He had been
drinking but he was not intoxi-
cnted. He was slightly flushed. his
eyes were abnormally bright. He
looked for the moment, rather
amiable. Milky was to learn, later on,
how easily his smile hardened to a
terrifying grin.
He ignored Nikky's companion. You
brought a letter."
Milky bowed, and the other man
held 1t out. Karl took 1t.
"The trip was uneventfui7'
yes, sire"
"A bad night for it," Karl observed,
and glanced at the letter in his hand
was there any difficulty at the
frontier?"
None, sire"
Karl tore the end OFF the envelope.
"You will remain here tonight" he
said. Tomorrow morning shall send
dispatches to the city. hope you have
petrol. These fellows here" He did
not complete the sentence. He in
serted two royal fingers Into the en-
veIope and drew out-Nikky's cigar
cite papers!
For moment there was complete
silence In the room. Karl turned the
papers over.
II was then that his face hardened
into a horrible grin. He looked up.
raising his head slowly.
whit Is this?" he demanded, very
quietly.
'.The letter. sire" said Milky. Il"
''The letter. Do you call these n
letter."
Milky drew himself up. II have
brought the envelope which was given
me-"
without word Karl held out papers
and envelope to the other man. who
took them. Then he turned to Milky.
and now he raised his voice. where
did you get this-hOaxT he demanded.
AT the cathedral. from the man Nj
burg
o. you lel" said Karl. Then, for n
moment. he left Milky and turned on
his companion In a fury. He let his
royal rage beat on that unlucky in
dividuaI while the agent stood. white
and still, Not until II was over, md
Karl. spent with passion. was pacing
the floor. did Milky venture n word.
IF this is not what your majesty
expected" he said, there Is perhaps
IN explanation"
Karl wheeled on him. "Explnna-
toni"