New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-12-13

~ Want That Letter."
more now than he ever had. But he
made his adieus with no hint of trou.
BILE In his face.
Karl stood for a moment In the open
air. 1t was done, then, and well done.
It was hard to realize. He turned to
the west, where for so long behind the
mountains had lurked an enemy. A
new era was opening; peace, disarma-
ment, q quiet and prosperous land. He
had spent his years Of war and women.
That was Over.
When he returned to the study the
agent Kaiser was already there. But
Karl, big with plans for the future,
would have been alone, and eyed the
agent with d%isfavor.
"WellT he demanded.
"We have been able to search the
chancellor's rooms, SIRE" the agent
said, "for the articles mentioned last
night-a card case, gloves, and n silk
handkerchief, belonging to the pris-
Oner upstairs. He Is Captain Larisch,
aide-de-camp to the crown prince of
LivOnia."
He had expected Karl to be i'm
pressed. But Karl only looked at him.
II know that" he said coldly. "You
are always just a little late with your
information. Kaiser"
Something like malice showed in the
agents face. "Then you also know.
sire. that 1t is this Captain Larisch
with whom rumOr couples the name Of
the Princess Hedwig." He stepped back
q pace or two Mt sight of Karl's face.
"You requested such information. SIRE"
For answer, Karl pointed to the door.
For some time after he had dis
missed the agent. Karl paced his
library alone. Kaiser brought no un-
verified information. Therefore the
thing was true. Therefore he had had
his enemy in his hand. and now was
pledged to let him 60. For a time.
then, Karl paid the penalty of many
misdeeds. His triumph was ashes in
his mouth.
What If this boy, infatuated with
Hedwig, had hidden somewhere on the
road Olga Loschek's letter? What,
then, If he recovered it and took 1t to
Hedwig? What If
But at last he sent for the prisoner
upstairs, and waited for him with both
jealousy and fear in his eyes.
Five minutes later Milky Larisch
was ushered into the red study, and
having bowed. al insolent young bow
at that, stood and eyed the king.
II have sent for you to release you"
said Karl.
Milky drew a long breath. Il am
grateful, SIRE"
"You have been interceded for BY
the chancellor Of Livonia, General
Mettlich, who has just gone"
Milky bowed.
Karl fixed him with cold eyes. But
before you take leave Of u.s." he said
ironically. 81 should like the true story
Of the night before last. Somehow,
somewhere, q letter intended for me
was exchanged for a blank paper. I
want that letter."
II know no more than you, sire.
It IL not reasonable that I would have
taken the risk I took for an envelope
containing nothing"
For that matter" said his majesty,
there was nothing reasonable about
anything you did,"
And now Karl played his trump card,
played 1t with watchful eyes ON Nix
ky's face. He would see II report
spoke the truth, II this blue-eyed boy
was In love with Hedwig. He was q
Jealous man, this Kari Of the cold
eyes, jealous and passionate. Not a. q
king, then, watching q humble soldier
Of Livonia, but As man to man, he
saxed at Nkky.
For fear that loyalty keeps you
silent, I may say to you that the old
troubles between Karnia and Livonia
are over"
II do not understand, sire"
Karl hesitated. Then. with his
twisted smile. he cast the rigid
etiquette Of such matters to the winds.
TT IL very simple" he said. there
viii be no more trouble between these
two nelghboring countries, because q
marriage has today been arranged"
marriage between the Princess Hedwie.
his majssys pan1daushtse. and NJ.
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