The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-04-26

'Go through the pockets" he OF
dered sternly.
Came into view under the fash ,
pair of gloves, box of matches, sill
handkerchief, a card case. The agen
said nothing, but passed card to thu
chancellor, who read IT without com
ment.
There was silence In the car.
At last the chancellor stirred. "This
mamie took your car ONT"
Eyes. And he has not returned. Nc
other machine has passed"
The secret service men exchanged
glances. There was more to this than
| appeared. Somewhere ahead, then,
was Milky Larisch, with q motor that
did not belong to him. and wearing
clothing which his victim described as
chauffeur's coat Of leather, brooches
and puttees, and fur greatcoat over
all.
Had the snow commenced when
this happened7"
Not then, sir. Shortly after"
~Go out with the driver" the
chancellor ordered one of his men,
land watch the road for the tracks Of
another car. Go slowly"
So it was that, after an hour or so,
they picked up Nikky's trail, now
twenty-four hours old but still clear,
and followed 1t. The chancellor was
awake enough by this time, and bend
ing forward. When at last the trail
turned from the highway toward the
shooting box at Wedding, Mettlich fell
back with something between a curse
and groan.,
1.-THE fool" he muttered. "The
young fool! 1t was madness"
At last they drew up at an inn in
the village On the royal preserve, and
the chancellor, looking rather gray,
alighted. He directed that the man
they had rescued be brought in. The
chancellor was not for losing him just
yet. He took q room for him at the
inn, and rather cavalierly locked him
in it.
The chancellor slipped hot milk and
considered. Milky Lartsch prisoner
III MIL udnuS NddoCA iiiih iCoS
anxiety than it would have month
before. But what was behind it all?
At a little before five the man out |
side the prisoners door heard some
thing inside the room. He glanced In. |
All was quiet. The prisoner slept |
heavily, genuine sleep. There was no |
1t, the sleep Of man warm
after long cold and exhaustion, weary
after violent effort. The agent went
,ut again, and locked the door behind
him.
And as the door closed, trap door
rom the kitchen below opened softly
lnder the sleeping mans bed. With
'reat caution came the landlord, head
lrst, then shoulders. The space was
ramped. He ctawled up, like a snake
ut of a hole, and ducked behind the
urtains of the bed. All was still quiet,
ave that the man outside struck q
aatch and lighted pipe.
Half an hour later, the chancellor's
risoner, still stiff and weak, was max
1g his way toward the hunting lodge.
Kaiser saw him first, and found the
tory unenlightening. Nor could Karl
oused by terrified valet, make much
lore Of it. when the man had gone,
.arl lay back among his pillows and |
yed his agent.
$50 Mettlich is hereI" he said. "A
asty Journey. They must be eager"
'.They must be In trouble" Kaiser s
bserved dryly. And on that uncom-
limentary comment King Karl slept, s
Is face drawn into weary smile.
But he received the chancellor Of I
ivonia cordially the next morning, go
e himself to the lodge doorstep to 6
Ieet his visitor, and there shaking G
ands with him. 9
II am greatly honored, excellency," I
e said, with his twisted smile. Z
"And I. SIRE"
But the chancellor watched him 8
ON under his shaggy brows. The 8
essenger had escaped. By now Karl q
lew the story, knew of his midnight /
de over the mountains, and the haste
indicated.
Karl himself led the way to his
udy, ignoring the chamberlain, and s
God aside to let Mettlich enter.
hen he followed and closed the door. 4
"It is a long time since you have n
,nored Karnia with visit" Karl OBJ n
rved. "Will you sit DOWN. b
Karl himself did pot sit. He stood
diligently beside the mantel, an arm a
retched along 1t. ID
mot since the battle of the Ar, Il
re-" replied the chancellor dryly. He n
ID headed an army of invasion then. n
Karl smiled. II hope that now your N
rand is more peaceful" b
For answer the chancellor opened a I
'rtfolio he carried, and fumbled
nong its papers. But, having found al
e right one, he held 1t without open K
g it. Before we come to that, sire, W
u have here, / believe, detained for al
me strange reason. Captain Lar
n, aide-de-camp"-he paused for eff
ct-"to his royal highness, the crown cl
ince of Liyonia." 81
Karl glanced up quickly. Perhaps, nj
you Will describe thls gentle hi
an-" OF
Nonsense" said the chancellor test al
!. you have him. We have traced Il