River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-07-18


like arms of the concierge. Behind
him somewhere was coming, Milky
knew, a detachment Of cavalry. But
he had outdistanced them, riding fren-
ziedly, had leaped hedges and bitches
across the park. He must hold this
man until they came.
Struggling in the grasp Of the con-
the first he knew it was losing bat
tie. He had lost before. But he
fought fiercely, with the strength of a
dozen. His frenzy was equaled by that
Of the other man, and his weight was
less by half. He went down finally
and lay still, battered, twisted fig
ure
But Black Humbert, breathing hard,
had heard sounds in the street, an6
put up the chain. He stood at bay, a
huge, shaken figure at the foot of the
stone staircase. He was for flight
now. But surely-outside at the door
some one gave the secret knock Of the
tribunal, and followed it by the pass
word. He breathed again. Friends, Of
course, come for the ammunition. But,
to be certain, he went to the window
Of his bureau, and looked out through
the bars. Students!
"Coming" he called. And kicked at
Nikky's quiet figure as he passed it.
Then he unbolted the door, dropped the
chain, and opened the door.
Standing before him., backed by a
great crowd of fantastic figures, was
Haeckel.
They did not kill him at once. At
the points Of a dozen bayonets, intend
ed for vastly different work, they
forced him up the staircase, flight after
flight. At first he cried pitifully that
he knew nothing Of the royal child,
then he tried to barter what he knew
for his life. They jeered at him,
pricked him shamefully from behind
with daggers.
At the top of the last flight he turned
and faced them. Gentlemen, friends -
he implored. II have done him no
harm. 1t was never in my mind to do
him an injury. +"
"He is in the room where you kept
me?" asked Haeckel, in a low voice.
"He is there, and SAFE"
Then Haeckel killed him. He struck
him with dagger, and his great body
fell on the stairs. He was still NOV
ing and grooming, as they swarmed
over him.
Haeckel faced the crowd. "There
are Others" he said. 81 know them all.
When we have finished here, we will
go on"
They were fearful of frightening the
little king and only two went back,
with the key that Haeckel had taken
from the body Of Black Humbert. They
unlocked the door Of the back room,
to find his majesty sitting on chair,
with a rather moist handkerchief In
ened, however, and was weeping for
his grandfather.
HAS the carriage Gomez" he de-
manded. II am waiting for a car
riage."
They assured him that a carriage
was on the way, and were very much
at a loss.
81 would like to go quickly" he said.
81 am afraid-my grandfather-Nik
ky!
For there stood Milky In the door
way, a staggering, white-lipped Milky.
He was not too weak to pick. the child
up however, and carry him to the
head Of the stairs. They had moved
the body of the concierge, by his or
der. So he stood there, the boy in his
arms, and the students, only an hour
before in revolt against him, cheered
nightly.
They met the detachment of caval-
ry at the door, and thus, in state, rede
back to the palace where he was to
rule, King Otto the Ninth. A very sad
little king, for Milky had answered his
question honestly. A king who mopped
his eyes with very dirty handker-
chief. A weary little king, too, with
already a touch Of Indigestion!
Behind them, in the house on the
Road of the Good Children, Haeckel,
in an access of fury, ordered the body
of the concierge flung from window.
It lay below, twisted and shapeless
thing, beside the pieces Of old Abel
bert's broken sword.