Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-07
iHe Lurked In the Shadows Outside
and Watched.

| oS'S SS~sS'SSs
linens that furnished forth the tables
of the rich. But hatred gave him wits.
Gave him speed, too. He was only
thirty feet behind Peter Niburg when
that foprish gentleman reached the
corner.
Herman was skilled In certain mat.
tiers. He knew. for instance, that a
glance into shop window, halt to
tie shoe, may be q ruse for pass.
ing q paper to other hands. But Peter
did not stop. He went, not more
swiftly than usual, to his customary
restaurant, one which faced over the
square and commanded view Of the
palace. And there he settled himself
in window and ordered his dinner.
From the outside Herman stared
In. He lurked in the shadows outside.
and watched.
| Peter sat alone. and stared out.
Herman took shelter, and watched.
But Peter Niburg did not see him.
His eyes were fixed on the gloomy
mass across, shot with small lights
from deep windows, which was the
palace.
| Peter was calm. He had carried
many such letters as the one now hid
den in his breast pocket. No con-
science stirred in him. If he did
not do this work, others would.
He had until midnight. At that
hour a messenger would receive the
letter from him in the colonnade Of
the cathedral. On this night, each
week, the messenger waited. Some
times there was a letter, sometimes
none. That was all. 1t was amazing
| ly simple, and for it one received the
difference between perjury and com
fort.
Seeing Peter settled, steaming
platter, before hinc, Herman turned
ind hurried through the night. This
which he had happened on was big
thing, too big for him alone. Two
heads were better than one. He
would take advice.
on the main avenue he fell into a
smart trot. The color came to his
pale cheeks. A cold sweat broke out
over him. He was short Of wind from
many cigarettes. But at last he
reached the house.
Black Humbert was not in his bu-
reau, behind the grating. With easy
Familiarity Herman turned to door
beyond and entered. A dirty little
room, it was Uttered now with the
preparations for q meal. On the bare
table were loaf. a jug Of beer, and
"a dish of fried veal. The concierge
was at the stove making gravy in a
frying pan-a huge man, bearded and
heavy Of girth, yet stepping lightly,
like cat. A dark man and called
''the black" he yet revealed, on full
glance, eyes curiously pale and fiat.
No greeting passed between them.
Humbert gave his visitor q quick
glance. Herman closed the door, and
wiped out the band of his hat. The
concierge poured the gravy over the
meat.
II have discovered something" Her.
man said. "As to its value, know
nothing, or its use to u.s."
"Let me Judge that"
ut Is q matter of q letter."
| "Sit down, man, and tell it. Or do
you wish me to draw the information,
like bad teeth7"
"A letter from the palace" said
Herman. And explained.
| Black Humbert listened. He was
Iskeptical, but not entirely incredulous.
he knew the court-none better. The
women Of the court wrote many let
tiers. He saw a number of them,
through one Of his men in the post
office. There were many intrigues.
After all, who could blame them2 The
court was dreary enough these days,
and 4 they chose to anyss Themselves