The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-04-27

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} sue their clerical occupations even OF
holidays.
Milky had reluctantly removed hi,
cap. His goggles, however. he ven
tured TO retain. He was cOnsciou.
that his guide was studying him IN
tently. But not with suspicion, h
thought Rather as one who would
gauge the calber OF the man before
him. He seemed satisfied too. for his
voice, which had been curt. grew more
friendly.
You had no troubler he asked.
None, sir"
Did Niburg say anything?"
Niburg, then, was the spy Of the
cathedral. Milky reflected Suddenly
he saw way out. It was. he after
ward proclaimed, not his own thought
1t came to him like a message. He
burned a candle to his patron saint
some time later. for il.
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 "Niburg."
he said. Then" He glanced at the
letter he held we must find some
one else" he muttered. Il never
trusted the fellow. clerk, nothing
else. For this work II takes wit"
Milky, sweating with strain, felt
that it did, indeed. He was badly
used up, sir" he offered. Could hard
' walk, and was still trembling with
excitement when met him"
The man touched 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 70 attempt
this thing. He had given his word.
almost his oath, TO the king to protect
and watch over the boy. And here he |
"ttS' hlIO"AIiS NOV lAuL IlISGuISI 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 Goggles. The |
salne knocking face he remembered,
from karls visit to the summer pal
ace, the same easy. graceful carriage,
he same small nustache. He was in
uniform and apparently IN q compare
lively gracious mood. He had been
drinking, but he was not into1i-
Gated. He was slightly flushed, his
Eyes were abn0rmally bright. BE
looked for the moment, rather
Milky was 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.
The trip was uneventfuIT'
Yes, sire
"A bad night for It," Karl observed.
and glanced at the letter in his hand.
Was there any difficulty at the
'rontierf"
None, sire"
Karl tore the end off the envelope. ,
You vii! remain here tonight" he
said. Tomorrow morning l shall send
dispatches to the city. l hope you have !,
petrol. These fellows here" He did
lo< complete the sentence. He in
erted two royal fingers into the en-
'elope and drew out-Nikky's cigar
tie papers,
For moment there was complete s
Hence In the room. Karl turned the il
'apers over Z
Il was then that bis face hardened q
nto q horrible grin. He looked up Il
sising his head slowly
What is thisf' he demanded, very p
uietly o
The letter, sire" said Milky. q" c.
The letter, Do you call these A \
,tter?" p
Milky drew himself up. Il have Ia
rought the envelope which was given
Ie." HI
Without word Karl held out papers OF
nd envelope 10 the other man, who 81
'ok them. Then he turned TO Milky 70
nd now he raised his voice. where "
q you get thiS-hoaxf" he demanded A
AT the cathedral, from the man Nj q
Irg" NJ
You lie" said Karl Then. for a sr
oment, he left Milky and turned on
s companion In a fury. He let his ts
val rage beat on that unlucky In "a
vidual while the agent stood, white h.
i'd still. Not until 1t was over, and
nrl. spent with passion, was pacing wi
t floor, did Milky venture a word tn
If this is not what your majesty
pected." he said, there is perhaps wi
explanation" XII
Karl wheeled on him "EIplana- 50
N :" ne
The man Sburg was attacked. ca
rly last evening by three men. They Til
at him badly, and attempted to rob tel
n. His story 70 ne, sire. He be
we'd that they were after the letter. ha
[ that he had preserved it. 1t is. of ba
1rse. possibility that while he lay SIS
vol Yhay. substituted arnFhcr on