The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times., 1918-11-21

contained desk. For kings must pur.
sue their clerical occupations even on
holidays.
Milky had reluctantly removed his
cap. His goggles, however, he ven
tured TO retain. He was conscious
TINT his guide was studying him In.
fently. But not with suspicion, he
thought. Rather rs one who would
gauge the cnliber OF the man before
him. He seemed satisfied. too. for his
voice, which had been curt. grew more
friendly.
You had no troubief" he asked.
None. SIR"
ibid Niburg say anything7"
Niburg, then, was the spy OF the
cathedral. Milky reflected. Suddenly
he saw way out. II was, he after
ward proclaimed. not his own thought.
II came to him like message. He
burned candle to his patron saint,
some time later. for II.
'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-" lie glanced at the
letter he held. 1--WE must find some
one else" he muttered. IL never
trusted the fellow. A clerk, nothing
else. For this work 1t tnkes wit"
Milky, sweating with strain, felt
that II did, indeed. "IIe was badly
used up, SIR" he offered. "Could hard
ly 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 walt 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
ufoot, 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
same mocking face he remembered,
| from Karl's visit to the summer pal.
nee, the same easy, graceful carriage.
the same small mustache. He was In
uniform and apparently In n 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 u
terrifying grin.
He ignored Nikky's companion. "You
brought n letter.
Milky bowed. and the other man
/ held II out. Karl took II.
1.-The trip was uneventful7"
"Yes. sire"
"a bad night for IT," Karl observed,
and glanced ut 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 I shall send
dispatches to the city. 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 out-Nikky's cigar
cite papers!
For moment there was complete
silence In the room. Karl turned the
papers over.
II was then that his fnce hardened
into n horrible grin. He looked up.
raising his head slowly.
what is thls?" he demanded, very
quietly.
"The letter, sire" said Milky. "I-"
"The letter! DO you call these
letter1"
Milky drew himself up. ~ have
brought the envelope which was given
me-"
without n 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.
AT the cathedral. from the man Nj.
burg"
"You lie!" snid Karl. Then. for
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 II was over, and
Karl, spent with passion. was pacing
the floor. did Milky venture word.
III this is not what your majesty
expected" he snid, there Is perhaps
an explanation"
Karl wheeled on him. "Explana
toni"
"The man Nlburg was attacked.
enrly last evening, by three men. They
bent him badly, and attempted 10 rob
him. His story to me. sire. He be-
lieved that they were after the letter.
but that he had preserved II. II is, of
couraa m nnsaihilitv that while he Inv