The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-08-28

larm yourselves, but not against your
king. We have sworn to stand to-
gether. I call on you, men Of my
corps, to follow me. There are those
who tonight will murder the little king
and put King Mob on the throne. And
they be those who have tortured me.
Look at me! This they have done to
me-" He tore the bandage Off, and
showed his SCARED head. "Quick !" he
cried. II know where they hide, these
spawn of hell. Who will follow me2
To the king!"'
ITO the kingw
They took up the cry, few at first,
then all OF them. More than his words,
the gaunt and wounded figure of
Haeckel In the cart fought for him.
He reeled before them. Two leaped
up and steadied him, finally, indeed,
took him on their shoulders, and led
the way. They made wedge Of men,
and pushed through the mob.
ITO the little kingp' was the cry
they raised, and ran, flying wedge of
white, fantastic figures. Those who
we're unarmed seized weapons from the
crowd as they passed. Urged by
Haeckel, they ran through the streets.
Haeckel knew. 1t was because he
had known that they had done away
with him. His mind, working now with
almost unnatural activity, flew ahead
to the house in the Road Of the Good
Children, and to what might be enact
Ing there. His eyes burned. Now at
last he would thwart them, unless
Just before they turned into the
street, horseman had dashed out
of it and flung himself cut of the sad
die. The door was bolted, but 1t
opened to his ring, and Milky faced
the concierge, Milky, with drawn re-
volver in his hand, and face deathly
white.
He had had no time to fire, no time
even to speak. The revolver few out
of his hand at one blow from the fail
like arms of the concierge. Behind
him somewhere was coming, Milky
knew, a detachment of cavalry. But
he had outdistanced them, riding fren-
ziedly, 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 fiercely, with the strength Of
dozen. His frenzy was equaled by that
of the other man, and his weight was
less by a half. He went down finally
and lay still, battered, twisted fig
ure.
But Black Humbert, breathing hard,
had heard sounds In the street, and
put up the chain. He stood at bay,
huge, shaken figure at the foot Of the
stone staircase. He was for flight
now. But surely-outside at the door
some one gave the secret knock Of the
tribunal, and followed 1t by, the pass
word. He breathed again. Friends, of
course, come for the ammunition. But,
to be certain, he went to the window
of his bureau, and looked out through
the bars. Students!
Coming" he called. And kicked at
| NlkkyS quiet inquire as ne passed. IL.
Then he unbolted the door, dropped the
chain, and opened the door.
Standing before him, backed by
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, flight 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. 81 have done him no
harm. 1t was never in my mind to do
him an injury. +"
HE is in the room where you kept
me?" asked Haeckel, in a low voice.
"He is there, and safe"
Then Haeckel killed him. He struck
him with dagger, and his great body