Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-25
CHAPTER XXNIII
Long Live the King!
WTHILE the birthday supper was a

w its height, in the bureau of the
despliring. That very day had he
learned to what use the committee
would put the information he had given
them, and his old heart was dead within
MIN. One may not be loyal for seventy
years ana then easily become traitor.
He had surveyed stonily the costume
In which the little Prince was to be
taken away. He had watched while the
boxes of ammunition were uncovered in
their barrels, he had seen the cobbler's
shop become seething hive Of activity,
where all day men had come and gone.
He had heard the press beneath his feet
fall silent because It's work was done,
and at dusk he had with his own eyes
beheld men who carried forth. under
their arms. blazing placards for the
walls of the town.
Then, at seven o'clock, something had
happened.
The concierge's niece had gone, ieav-
Ing the supper ready cooked on the
back OF the stove. Old Adelbert sat
alone and watched the red bars Of the
stove fade to black. BY that time 1t
was done, and he was Of the damned.
The Crown Prince, who was of an age
with the American lad upstairs, the
Crown Prince was In the hands Of his
enemies. He. old Adelbert, had done It.
He wore his new uniform. in honor of
the day. suddenly he felt that he could
not wear It any longer. He had no
right to any uniform. He who had sold
his country was Of no country.
He went slowly out and up the stair
case, dragging his wooden leg painfully
Fro at 60 rsA l.Aa ~
cierge come In below. his heavy foot
steps re-echoed through the building.
Inside the door he called furlously to
his niece. Old Adelbert heard him strike
a match to light the gas.
On the staircase he met tho Fraulein
hurrying down. Her face was strained
and her eyes glttering. She hesitated,
as though she would speak. then she
went past him. He could hear her run
ming. II reminded the old man OF that
day in the Opera when child ran down
the staircase, and. as is the way OF the
old. repeated himself: "One would think
new legs grew In place OF old ones. like
the claws Of sea creatures" he said fret
fully. And went on up the staircase.
In his room he sat down on a straight
chair inside the door. and stared ahead.
Then. slowly and mechanically. he took
off his new uniform and donned the old
one.
lie would have put on civilian clothes,
had he possessed any. For by the deeds
of that day he had forfeited the right
to the Kings garb.
It was there that Black Humbert,
hurrying up. found him. The concierge
was llvid, his massive frame shook with
excitement.
Quick (" he said. and swore great
oath. ITO the shop Of the cobbler
Heinz and tell him this word. Here
in the building is the boy"
What boy?'
The concierge closed q great hand on
the veterans shoulder. who but the
Crown Prince himself" he said.
But thought-how can he be here?"
Here is he. In our very hands, II 10
no time to ask questions"
'Tt he is here
He Is with the Americans,' Missed
the concierge. the veins on his forehead
swollen with excitement. Now, go, and
quickly. shall watch. Say that when
I have secured the lad shall take him
there. Let all be ready. An hour ago."
he said. raising his great fists on>high.
"and everything lost. Noy-hurry. old
wooden leg. II Is a great night"
But cannot. Already have done
too much. ] am damned. have lost
my soul. who am soon to de"
You will col"
And. at last. he went. hobbiing down
the staircase recklessiy. because the
looming figure at the stairhsad was
listening. He reached the street. There.
only Q block away. was the cobblsr's
shop. lighted. but with the dirty cur
tAins drawn across the, window,
Old Adslbsrt gazed 1t II. Then he
comnen6sd his soul to God. ana turned
toward the palace.
He passed the Opera. y On carnival
night IL should have BEEN open and in
sala array. with lines Of carriages and
machines before II. It was closed and
drsary. But old Adslbsrt saw II not
at all Ne stumpsd along, painting with
haste and exhaustion. TO 40 the thing
he had sst himself 70 do.
Here was the palace. Before Il wsrs
packed dense fhyongs Of silent people,
Now and then man put down box.