The circle banner., 1918-04-19

4
side room, q sort of study, rince 1
contained a desk. For kings must pur
sue their clerical. occupations even OF
holidays.
Milky had reluctantly removed hi
cap. His goggles, however, he ven
tured to retain. He was conscious
that his guide was studying him In
tently. But not with suspicion, hs
thought. Rather as one who woult
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 trosbler' he asked.
None, sir"
"Did Niburg say anything"
Niburg, then, was the SPY Of the
cathedral. Milky reflected. Suddenly
he saw q way out. 1t was. he after
ward proclaimed. not his own thought.
1t came to him like 4 message. He
burned 1 candle to his patron saint.
some time later, for 1t.
"The man Niburg had had An unfor,
tunate experience, sir. He reported
| that, during an evening stroll, before
he met me, he was attacked BY three
men, with the evident intention Of Sc
curing the letter. He was badly beaten
up."
His companion started. 'TNiburE,"
he said "Then-" He glanced at the
letter he held. eve must fnd some
trusted the fellow. A clerk, nothing
else. For this work 1t takes wit"
Milky, sweating with strain. felt
that 1t did, indeed. ''He was badly
used up, SIR" he offered. Gould hard
ly walk, and was still trembling with
excitement when 1 met him."
The man touched a 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 a compara
lively gracious mood. He had been
drinking, but he was not intoxi-
Gated. He was slightly flushed, his
eyes were abnormally bright. He
looked. for the moment rather
amiable. Milky w3s to learn, later on,
how easily his smile hardened to a
terrifying grin.
He ignored Nikky's companion. "You
brought letter?'
Milky bowed, and the other man
held it out. Karl took it.
1.-THE trip was uneventful?
"Yes, sire"
"a bad night for it," Karl observed, |
and glanced at the letter in his hand. |
WAS there any difficulty at the |
"None, SIRE"
Karl tore the end of the envelope.
you will remain here tonight" he
said. Tomorrow morning shall send
dispatches to the city. 1 hope you have
petrol. These fellows here" He did |
not complete the sentence. He in
serted two royal fingers into the en-
velope and drew sut-Nikky's cigar
cite papers!
For a moment there was complete
silence in the room. Karl turned the
papers over.
It was then that his face hardened
nto a horrible grin. He looked up.
,aising his head slowly.
"What is this?" he demanded, very
quietly.
"The letter, sire" said Milky. Il"
"The letter! Do you call these 4
ettery
Milky drew himself up. II have
brought the envelope which was given
ne."
without word Karl held out papers
ind envelope to the other man, who
ook them. Then he turned to Milky,
md now he raised his voice. Where
lid you get this-hoaxT he demanded.
"At the cathedral, from the man Nj
,urg."
"You lie!" said Karl. Then, for a
he left Milky and turned on
lis companion in 4ury. He let his
oval rage beat on that unlucky in
Iividual while the agent stood, white
nd still. Not until 1t was over, and
Earl, spent with passion, was pacing
he floor, did Milky venture word.
eff this is not what your majesty
expected" he said, there Is perhaps
u explanation"
Karl wheeled on him. "EIplana-
ionl"
"The man Niburg WAS attacked, I
arly last evening, by three men. Nhey
eat him badly, and attempted to hob
i'm. His story to me, sire. He By
eyed that they were after the letter.
ut that he had preserved it. 1t Ii, on
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