Iron County register., 1918-02-14

paloeA
Petee ms calm. Hs had carried
many sueA LISTERS % ths oas ssw hld.
den h his breast pocket No co..
seisocs stirssd IN hin. n - did
not q this Woek. 0thRs Wo9lA
He Aad until midnight. At that
hour Q messenges would receive the
letter from him IN The eo1eana0e oe
the cathedral On this night each
week, The messenger waited. Some
times there was q letter. sometimes
none. That was all II was amazing.
" simple. and for It one received the
difference between penufy and com.
fort.
Seeing Peter settled. . steaming
platter before him. Herman turned
and hurried through the night. This
which hs had happened on was . big
thing. too big for him alone. Two
heads were better than o. He
would take advice.
on the main avenue he fell into q
smart trot. The color came to his
pale cheeks. A cold sweat broke out
over him. He was short Of wind from
many cigarettes. But at last he
reached the house.
Black Humbert was not In his bu.
reau. behind the grating. With easy
familiarity Herman turned to door
beyond and entered. A dirty little
room. 1t was Uttered now with the
preparations for a meal. On the bare
table were loaf. a jug of beer, and
a dish Of fried veal. The concierge
was at the stove making gravy In
frying pan--a huge man, bearded and
heavy Of girth. yet stepping lightly,
like a cat. A dark man and called
1.-THE black" he yet revealed, on full
glance, eyes curiously pale and fiat.
No greeting passed between them.
Humbert gave his visitor quick
glance. Herman closed the door, and
wiped out the band of his hat. The
concierge poured the gravy over the
meat.
II have discovered something" Her.
man said. "As to its value, l know
nothing, or Its use to u.s."
Let me Judge that"
1T is a matter Of q letter."
"Sit down, man, and tell It. Or do
you wish me to draw the information,
like bad teeth?'
"A letter from the palace" said
Herman. And explained.
Black Humbert listened. He was
skeptlcal. but not entirely incredulous.
He knew the court-none better. The
women Of the court wrote many let
ters. He saw number of them,
through one of his men In the post
Office. There were many intrigues.
After all, who could blame them? The
court was dreary enough these days,
and II they chose to amuse themselves
as best they could-one must make
allowances.
"A lialson!' he said at last, with
his mouth full. 1.-THE countess Is hand
some, and bored. Annunciata is driv-
ing her to wlckedness, as she drove
her husband. But 1t Is worth consid-
Grafton. Even the knowledge Of an
intrigue is often helpful. OF what
size was the letter7"
"A small envelope. I saw no more. !"
$50" The big man rose, and un.
tied his soiled apron. "Go back" he
said, "and enter the restaurant. Or
der small meal, that you may have
finished when he does. Leave with
him and suggest the Hungaria."
"Hungaria! have no money"
"You will need no money. Now
mark this: At q certain corner you
will be attacked and robbed. A mere
FORM" he added, as he saw Herman's
pallid face go winter. "For the real
envelope will be substituted another
In his breast pocket, you said. Well
then suggest going to his room. He
may" added the concierge grimly, IRE
quire your assistance. Leave him al
his lodging, but watch the house. II
Is important to know to whom he de-
llvers these letters"
As the man stood. he seemed to the
covering Herman to swell until he
dominated the room. He took on au
thority. To Herman came suddenly
the memory Of a hidden room, and
many men, and one, huge and tower
ing, who held the others In the hollow
Of his hand. Back went Herman ovel
his earlier route. But now he did moi
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 t.
ferocity when one Of mob, was 6
coward alone.
However, the sight Of the restaurant
and Of his fellow clerk eating calmly
quieted him. Peter Niburg was still
alone. Herman took a table near him
and ordered bowl Of soup. Hi.
hands shook, but the hot food revived
him. After all. 1t was simple enough
But. Of course, 1t hinged entirely OF
his fellow clerks agreeing to accom-
pany him.
He glanced across. Peter Nibur,
was eating, but his eyes were fixet
on Madame Marie at her hign- desk
There Was Hnoculo tt0n In thayn oos