New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-12-06

this thing. He had given his word
almost his oath. to the king, to protec
and watch over the boy. And here b.
was. knowing now that mischief wa
afoOt. and pOwerless. He cursed him
y self for his folly.
q Then Karl came in. He came alone
closing the door behind him. Nikkj
and his companion bowed. and Milky
! surveyed him through his goggles. The
same mOcklng face he remembered
from Karl's visit to the summer pal
ace. the same easy. graceful carriage
y the same small m%ustache. He was In
s.. uniform and apparently In a compare
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 was to learn, later on.
how easily his smile hardened to a
terrifying grin.
He ignored Nikky's companion. "You
brought q letter."
Milky bowed. and the other man
held 1t out. Karl took 1t.
The trip was uneventfulT
"Yes. SIRE"
"A bad night for It," Karl observed,
and glanced at the letter In his hand.
"Was there any difficulty at the
frontierT
"None. sire"
Karl tore the end of the envelope.
"You will remain here tonight" he
said. Tomorrow morning l shall send
dispatches to the city. I hope you have
petrol. These fellows here" He did
not complete the sentence. He In
serted two royal fingers into the n
velope and drew out-Nikky's cigar
cite papers!
For a moment there vas complete
silence in the room. Karl turned the
papers over.
1t was then that his face hardened
into n horrible grin. He looked up.
raising his head slowly.
"What is this2" he demanded. very
quietly.
1.-THE letter, SIRE" said Milky. 81"
1.-THE letter! Do you call these a
letter."
Milky drew himself up. II have
brought the envelope which was given
me-"
Without a word Karl held out papers
and envelope to the other man. who
took them. Then he turned to Milky,
and now he raised his voice. "Where
did you get this--hoax?" he demanded.
~ the cathedral. from the man Nj.
burs,"
You lie!" said Karl. Then, for a
moment, he left Milky and turned on
his companion In a fury. He let his
royal rage beat on that unlucky In
dividual while the agent stood. white
and still. Not until 1t was over. and
Karl, spent with passion. was pacing
the floor, did Milky venture a word.
IF this Is not what your majesty
expected" he said. "there is perhaps
an explanation"
Karl wheeled on him. "Explana.
toni"
1.-THE man Niburg va attacked,
early last evening. by three men. They
beat him badly. and attempted to rob
him. His story to me. sire. He be-
lieved that they were after the letter.
but that he had preserved It. 1t is. Of
course. a possibility that. while he lay
stunned. they substituted another en-
velOpe for the one he carried"
Karl tore the envelope from the
agents hands and inspected 1t care
fully. Evidently, as with the agent,
the story started a new train Of
thought. Milky drew a long breath.
After all. there was still hope that the
early morning shooting would have an.
other target than himself.
Karl sat down, and his face relaxed.
1t was stern. but no longer horrible.
Tell me this Niburg's story" he COM
manded.
II was walking through the old
city" Milky commenced. when three
men fell on him. One. a large one.
knocked him insensible and then went
through his pockets. The others"
Strange" said Karl. IF he was
lnsensible. how does he know all thls7" {
1T was his story, SIRE" Milky ex- 1
planned. But he col0red. "A COM l
who was with him. a away"
This companion" Karl queried.
"A dark. heavy fellow. was itT s
mo. Rather q pale man, blond. {
Milky checked himself. l
But Karl was all suavity. 49," he 6
said. while Niburg was unconscious
he large man took the 'etter. which |
vas sealed. magically opened 1t. ex-
Its contents, replaced hem G
and then sealed 1t again. d
The king turned without haste to q
irawer In his desk. and opened It. He d
vas smiling. When he faced about
lgain. Milky saw that he held q re- Z
'olver In his band. Save that the {
gent had taken a step forward. moth
ng In the room had changed. And c
ret. for Milky everything had changed. a
Milky had been q reckless fool. but
le was brave enough. He smiled. Q K
smile than Karl's twisted q
Il have a fancy" said King Karl.
to manage this matter for myself. T
Leep back. Kaiser. Now, my friend. v
on will give me the packet Of cigar
tie papers you carry" q
Resistance would do no good. Milky y
rought them out. and Karl's twisted
mile grew broader a. he compared Il
hem with the mes the envelope had
obtained.
"You see" he said. you show the Il
and Of the novice. You should have Ct
these away. But, Of course, d
u your methods are wrong. Why, for q