The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-08-01


like arms Of the concierge. Behind
him somewhere was coming. Milky
knew, q detachment Of cavalry. But
he had outdistanced them. riding fren-
xiedly, had leaped hedges and bitches
across the park. He must hold this
man until they came.
Struggling In the grasp Of the con-
cierge, he yet listened for them. From
the first he knew It was losing bat
tie. He had lost before. But he
fought fercely, with the strength of a
dozen. His frenzy was equafed by that
Of the other man. and his weight was
less by a half. He went down finally
and lay still. a battered. twisted ng-
ure.
But Black Humbert, breathing hard.
had heard sounds in the street. an6
put-up the chain. He stood at bay. 4
huge. shaken figure at the foot Of the
stone staircase. He was for flight
| now. But surely-outside at the door
sope one gave the secret knock Of the
tribursl, and followed It by the pass
word. He breathed again. Friends, Of
course. come for the ammunition. But.
to be certain. he went to the window
the bars. Studentsi
"Coming!" he called. And kicked at
Nikky's quiet figure ~ he passed It.
Then he unbolted the door. dropped the
chain, and opened the door.
Standing before him. backed BY q
great crowd of fantastic figures. was
Haeckel.
They did not kill him at once. At
the points of dozen bayonets. intend
ed for vastly different work, they
forced him up the staircase, night after
flight. At first he cried pitifully that
he knew nothing Of the royal child,
then he tried to barter what he knew
for his life. They jeered at him.
pricked him shamefully from behind
with daggers.
At the top Of the last flight he turned
and faced them. Gentlemen. friends I"
he implored. II have done him no
harm. 1t was never In my mind to do
him an injury. l."
HE 10 In the room where you kept
mel" asked Haeckel. in a low voice.
"He Il there. and SAFE"
Then Haeckel killed him. He struck
him with a dagger. and his great body
fell on the stairs. He was still moy-
Ing and groaning. a. they swarmed
over him.
Haeckel faced the crowd. "There
are Others" he said. II know them all.
When we have finished here, we will
20 on"
They were fearful Of frightening the
little king and only two went back,
with the key that Haeckel had taken
from the body Of Black Humbert. They
unlocked the door Of the back room,
to find his majesty sitting on 4 chair
with q rather moist handkerchief In
ened. however. and was weeping for
his grandfather.
HAS the carriage comer he de-
manded. II am waiting for 4 car.
riage."
They assured him that a carriage
was on the way, and were very much
at q loss.
II would like to 20 quickly" he said
II am afraid-my grandfather-Nik
kyw
For there stood Milky In the door.
way. q staggering. white-lipped Milky
He was not too weak to pick the child
up. however, and carry him to thu
head Of the stairs. They had moved
the body Of the concierge. BY his or
der. So he stood there, the boy in hi
arms. and the students. only an houl
before In revolt against him. cheeret
nightly.
They met the detachment Of eaval
~ at the door. and thus. in state, rod'
back to the palace where he was Il
rule. King Otto the Ninth. A very sat
little king. for Milky had answered bill
question honestly. A king who moppe,
his eyes with q very dirty handker
chief. A weary little king. too. Will
already q touch Of indigestioni
Behind them. In the house on tn
Road Of the Good Children. Haeckel
In an access Of fury. ordered the bod.
Of the concierge flung from q window
Il lay below, q twisted and shapeles
thing. beside the pieces Of old Adel
bert's broken sword.