The Dermott news., 1918-02-21

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 Il letter, sometimes none That was all It was amazing ly simple, and for it one received the difference between penury and com fort.
 Seeing Peter settled. a steaming platter before him, Herman turned and hurried through the night This which h. had happened on was big thing, too big for him alone. Two heads were better than O N He would take advice
 Off the main avenue he fell into smart trot Pho e1Iar came to his pale checks. \ cold swcat broke out uNer hia Hp Ha~ eheft If wind from many cigarettes. But at last he reached the house.
 EiHrh Ilamtert wus uot In his bu- reaH. behind the srntHg. With easy familiarity Hgrtaaa tuned n I da.a beyond and entered. 4 dirty ltftIg room, f WIS Uttered now with the preparations for meat on the bare table were q loaf. q jug of beer, and dish of fried veal The concierge was at the stove making @raVy iu frying pau-u huge man. bearded and heavy of strth vel stepping lisbtJy like eat, X durk man and called "the black he yet revealed, on full glance. eyes curiously pale and flat
 No greeting passed between them lIumbert gave his visitor quick glance. Herman closed the deer, and wiped out the band of his hat. Tn concierge poured the gravy over the meat.
 T have discovered something" Her man said. As to its value, I know nothing. or its use 10 us
 Let me judge that
 "It is q matter af q letter."
 "Sit down. man. and tel it. or do you wish ne to draw the information, 1 like bad teethfs
 "A letter from the palace.' said Herman. And explained.
 Black Humhert listened. He waS skeptical but not entirely ineredulouS. He knew the court-uone better. The l women of the court wrote many let l terS. He saw number of them, i through ole of his men in the post office. There were many intrigueS. After all, who could blame them? The court was dreary enough these days, and if they chose to amuSe themselves as best they eould-one must make allowances
 "A liaison," he said at last, with his mouth full. "The countess k hand some. and bored Annunciata is driv- ] ing her to WickedneSS, as she drove i her husband. But il is worth consid- eratton. Even the knowledge of an l intrigue is often helpful. of what size was the letter2"
 "A small envelope l saw no more"
 50" The big man rose. and un- tied his soiled apron. "Go back he Ssid, and enter the restaurant. Or der q small meal, that you may have i finished when h. does Leave with him and suggest the Hungarian
 "Hunear.a, l have no nonay.'
 You will need uo money Now, ,...,,t. ,.rY4f,, ,a.t--,,.,r Nrtt Will be attacked and robbed. A mere form" h. added. as he saw Ileruan's mlAa faee Fo whiter, For the real envelope will he substituted another. h hIs breast pocket. you said. Well, then suggest going 10 his room He may" added the concierge grimly. Ire quire your assistance. Leave him at lis lodging. but watch the house. It important to know to whom he de-. HYerS these letters.
 Ns the man stood he seemed to the covering Herman te swell until he dominated the room. He took on au- thority To Herman came suddenly thc memory of hidden room, aud many men, and one, huge and tower ing. who held the others i'm the hollow of his hand. Back went Herman oVer his earlier route But now he did not run. His craven knees shock beneath him. Fresh sweat, not of haste but of fear, broke out over him. He who was brave enough of tongue In the meetings. who Was capable of rising to heights of cruelty that amounted to feroeity when one of Il mob, was coward alone.
 However. tue sight of the restaurant, and of his fellow clerk eating calmly, quieted him. Peter Niburg was still alone. Herman took table near him. and ordered bowl of soup. His hands shook, but the hot food revived him. After all 1t was simple enough. But, of course, 1t hinged entirely on his fellow clerks agreeing to accom- paDy hln,
 He glanced across. Peter Nihurg