The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-03-28

palace.
Peter wus cain. 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 hini' 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. II was amazing
ly simple, and for II one received the |
difference between pcnury and COM
fort.
Seeing Peter settled, n steaming |
platter before him, Herman turned |
and hurried through the night. This
which he had happened on was big |
thing. too big for him alone. Two
heads were better than =. 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 ut last he
reached the house.
Black Humbcrt was not in his bu-
reau, behind the grating. With easy
familiarity Herman turned to a door
beyond and entered. A dirty little
room, 1t was Uttered now with the
preparations for n meal. On the bare
table were loaf, jug of beer, and
a dish OF fried veal. The concierge
was at the stove making gravy In
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 u quick
glance. Herman closed the door, and
. wiped out the band of his hat. The
concierge poured the gravy over the
meat.
IL have discovered something" Her
man said. "As 20 Its value, l know
nothing, or Its use to u.s."
: Let me judge that"
"It Is a matter of letter"
"Slt down, man, and tell 1t. Or do
you wish me to draw the Information,
like bad teeth"
"a letter from the palace" said
I Herman. And explained.
Black Humbert listened. He was
: skeptical, but not entirely incredulous.
y He knew the court--none better. The
e women of the court wrote many let
= ters. He saw number of them
through one of his men In the post
l. office. There were many intrigues
After all, who could blame them? The
court was dreary enough these days
l. and II they chose to amuse themselves
II as best they could-one must make
allowances.
"A liaisonG he said at last, will
a his mouth full. "The countess is hand
II some, and bored. Annunciata Is driv
y ing her to wickedness. as she drov'
IL her husband. But II Is worth consid
r. Grafton. Even the knowledge OF al
'e intrigue is often helpful. OF wba
size was the letter."
y "A small envelope. saw no more.
:. $50" The big man rose, and un
'e tied his soiled apron. "Go back" h
said, "and enter the restaurant. Oi
;" der a small meal, that you may hav
finished when he does. Leave wit
him and suggest the Hungaria."
10 "Hungaria ! have no money"
NJ "You will need no money. Nov
y" mark this: At certain corner 20
" will be attacked and robbed. A mer
es FORM" he added, as he saw Herman
b. pallid face go whittier. For the RET
~ envelope will be substituted anothe
gu In his breast pocket, you said. Wei
ne then suggest going to his room. II
may" added the concierge grimly. "r'
u quire your assistance. Leave him
his lodging. but watch the house.
to Is important to know to whom he d
81 livers these letters"
er As the man stood, he seemed to II
re covering Herman to swell until !
ry dominated the room. He took on n
thority. To Herman came sudden
the memory Of hidden room. ar
many men, and one, huge and towe
ing, who held the others In the hollo
d of his hand. Back went Herman ov
Il his earlier route. But now he did n
run. His craven knees shook benea
him. Fresh sweat, not Of haste b
of fear, broke out over him. He wi
was brave enough of tongue In Il
H meetings, who was capable OF risll
H to heights of cruelty that amounted
iii ferocity when one Of a mob, was
coward alone.
I'LL However. the sight of the restauraI
iN and of his fellow clerk eating calm
iii ouiatad him Peter Niburg was ST
iii alone. Herman took a table near hi
li and ordered bowl Of soup. i
II hands shook, but the hot food reviv
Mi him. After all, 1t was simple enout
III But, of course, 1t hinged entirely
iii his fellow clerks agreeing to acco
! pany him.
u He glanced across. Peter Nibu
! ,raa aafinR hut lis ewes were fix