The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-11-14


side room. q sort of study, r'nce 1t
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
that his guide was studying him In
tently. But not with suspicion. he
thought. Rather as one who would
gauge the caliber of the man before
him. He seemed satisfied, too. for his
voice, which Ind been curt, grew more
friendly.
"You had no trouble?" he asked.
None, SIR"
did Niburg say anythlng?"
Niburg. then, was the Cspy of the
cathedral. Milky reflected. Suddenly
lie saw way out. 1t was. he after
| ward proclaimed, not his own thought.
1t came to him like message. He
burned candle to his patron saint,
some time later. for 1t.
THE man Niburg hnd Ind 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-" He glanced Mt 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 it takes wit"
Milky, sweating with strain, felt
that 1t did. indeed. "He was badly
used up. SIR" he offered. Gould hnrd-
ly walk. and was still trembling with
excitement when met him."
The mnn 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 wait that followed
trying He thought of Hedwlg. 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
nnd watch over the boy. And here he
was, knowing now that mischief was
nfoot, and powerless. iie 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 md apparently In compara-
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 Nlkky's companion. "You
brought a letterT
Milky bowed, and the other man
held It out. Karl took 1t.
The trip was uneventfulr'
"Yes, sire."
"A bad night for it." Karl observed.
and glanced at the letter in his hand.
"was there any diniculty at the
frontierr'
'None, sire"
Karl tore the end OF the envelope.
you will remain here tonight" he
said. Tomorrow morning shall send
dispa tches 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-
veiope and drew out-Nikky's cigar
ette papersi
For q moment there was complete
silence in the room. Karl turned the
papers over.
II was then that his face hardened
into a horrible grin. He looked up.
raising his head slowly.
"What is this7" he demanded, very
quietly.
'.rhe letter. SIRE" said Milky. "I-"
.The letter! Do you call these q
letter."
Milky drew himself uP. II have
brought the envelope which was given
me-"
without word Karl held out papers
and envelope to the other man. who
/ took them. Then ne turned to Milky.
and now he raised his voice. "Where
did rpu get thjs-honx1" he demanded.
| AT the cathedral, from the man NJ
prry.'
| .You ,Ier" said Karl. Then. for
p.n,cn.. he ef, Milky and turned on
bis cOmpnn,o: .E :.rv. He let his
roya, rage beat on that uniucky In
dfvislual while the agent stood, white
md still. Not until It was over. and
Karl, spent With passion. was pncing
the fioor, did Milky venture word.
"If this IL Dot what your mnjesty
expected" he said. "there Is perhaps
an explanation"
Kari wheeled on him. "Explana-
tfou n