The Dermott news., 1918-03-21

dered sternly.
Came into view under the flash a
pair of gloves. II box of matches, silk
handkerchief, 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 onT"
Yes. And he has not returned. No
!other machine has passed"
The secret service men exchanged
slances. There was more to this than
appeared. Somewhere ahead. then,
was Milky Larisch, with motor that
did not belong to him. and wearing
clothing which his victim described as
II chauffeurs coat of leather, breeches
and puttees, and fur greatcoat over
all.
Had the snow commenced when
this happenedT'
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 1t was that, after an hour or so.
they picked up Nikky's trail, now
twcnty-four hours old but still clear,
and followed it, The chancellor WAS
awake enough by this time, and bend
ing forward. When at last the trail
turned from the highway toward the
shooting box at Wedeling, Mettlich fell
back with something between a curse
and groan.
THE fool :" he muttered. The
young fool 1t WIS madness
AT last they drew up ut an inn in
the village on the royal preserve, and
the chancellor. looking rather gray,
alighted. He directed that the man
they had rescued be brought in. The
chancellor was not for losing him just
yet. He took Il room for him ut the
inn. and rather cavalierly locked him
in II.
The chancellor slipped hot milk and
considered Milky Larisch Il prisoner
in karl's hands caused him less
anxiety than It would have month
before. But what was behind it all?
AT liltle 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 no
miStaking it. the sleep of Il man warm
after long cold and exhaustion, weary
after violent effort. The agent went
cut 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. hvad
first, then shoulders. The space was
out of hole, and duckcd behind the
curtains of the bed. All was still quiet.
save that the man outside struck a
match and lighted Il pipe.
/ Half an hour later, the chancellor's
prisoner, still stiff aud weak, was max
| inc his way toward the hunting lodge.
Kaiser saw him first. and found the
story notwithstanding. Nor could Karl.
reused by a terrified valet make much
more of II. When the man had gone
j Karl lay back among his pillows and
eyed his agent
$50 Mettlich is herel" he said. ~
ha~ty Journey. They must be eager"
They must be In trouble" Kaiser
observed dryly. And on that uneom-
I plimeutary comment King Karl slept
his face drawn into weary smile.
But he received the chancellor OF
Livouia cordially the next morning. go
ing himself to the lodge doorstep To
meet his visitor. and there shaking
hands with him.
81 am greatly honored. excellency."
he suid. with his twisted smile.
And l. sire"
But the chancellor watched him
from under his shaggy brows. The
messenger had escaped. BY now Karl
knew the story. knew Of his midnight
ride over the mountains, and the haste
IL indicated.
Karl himself led the way To his
study. ignoring the chamberlain, and
stood aside To let Mettlich enter.
Then he followed and closed the door.
II - Il ihAIS lAttAt EihNN S'N 80
honorcd Karna with visit" Karl oh
served. will YOU sit DOWN."
Karl himself did not sit He stood
negligently beside the mantel. an arm
stretched along II.
Not since the battle of the Ar,
SIRE" replied the chancellor dryly. He
had headed an army of invasion then.
Karl smiled. II hope that now your
errund is more peaceful"
For answer the chancellor opened a
portfolio he carried. and fumbled
among its papers. But having found
the right one. he held IL without open
ing II. Before we come to that, sire,
YOU have here. | believe. detained for
some strange reason, a Captain Lar
isch. aide-de-eamp'-he paused for eff
fect-'to his royal highness, the crown
prince of Livonia."
Karl glanced up quickly. Perhaps,
II you will describe this-gentle-