The Elbert County tribune., 1918-09-06

uefeu sternly.
Came into view under the flash n
pair of gloves, box OF matches, silk
handkerchief, card case. The agent
said nothing, but passed n card TO the
chancellor, who read 1t without COM
ment.
There was silence In the car.
AT last the chancellor stirred. This
man-he took your car onTr
Yes. And he has not returned. No
other machine las passed.
The secret service men exchanged
giances. There was more to this than
appeared. Somewhere ahead then.
was Milky Larisch. with motor that
did not belong to him. and wearing
clothing which his victim described as
chauffeur's coat of leather, breeches
and puttees. and fur greatcoat over
all.
''Had the. snow commenced when
this happenedT'
Not then, sir. Shortly after"
Go out with the driver" the
chancellor ordered one of his men.
"and watch the road for the tracks of
another ear. Go slowly"
So 1t was that. after an hour or so,
they picked up Nikky's trail, now
twenty-four hours old but still clear.
and followed it. The chancellor was
awake enough by this time. and bend
ing forward. When at last the trail
turned from the highway toward the
shooting box at Wedeling. Mettlich fell
back with something between curse
and a groan.
1.-The fooll" he muttered. '"The
young fool 1t was madness"
AT last they drew up at an inn In
the village on the royal preserve, and
the chancellor. looking rather gray.
alighted. He directed that the man
they had rescued be brought In. The
chancellor was not for losing him Just
yet. He took n room for him ut the
inn, and rather cavalierly locked him
in 1t.
The chancellor slipped hot milk and
considered. Milky Larlsch prisoner
in karls hands caused him less
anxiety than 1t would have month
before. But what was behind It all2
AT little before five the man out
side the prisoners door heard some
thing inside the room. He glanced In
All was quiet. The prisoner slept
heavily. genuine sleep. There was no
mistaking 1t, the sleep Of n man warm
after long Cold and exhaustion. weary
after violent effort. The agent went
out again. and locked the door behind
him.
And as the door closed, trap door
from the kitchen below opened softly
under the sleeping mans bed With
great caution came the landlord, head
first, then shoulders. The space was
cramped. He crawied up like snake
out of hole, and ducked behind the
curtains of the bed. All was still quiet,
save that the man outside struck a
match and lighted pipe.
Half an hour later. the chancellor's
prisoner, still stlff and weak, was max
ing his way toward the hunting lodge.
Kaiser saw him first. and found the
story unenlightening. Nor could Karl,
reused by a terrified valet. make much
more Of 1t. When the man had gone,
Karl lay back among his pillows and
eyed his agent.
$50 Mettllch is here!" he said. "a
hasty Journey. They must be eager."
~They must be in trouble Kaiser
observed dryly. And on that uncom-
plimentary comment King Karl slept,
his face drawn into. weary smile.
But he received the chancellor of
Livonia cordially the next morning, CO.
ing himself to the lodge doorstep to
meet his visitor. and there shaking
hands with him.
Il am greatly honored excelIency,"
he said, with his twisted slrile.
"And ]. sire"
But the chancellor watched him
from under his shaggy brows. The
messenger had escaped BY now Karl
knew the story. knew of his midnight
ride over the mountains. andsthe haste
1t indicated.
Karl himself led the way to his
study, ignoring the chamberlain. and
stood aside to let Mettlich enter.
Then he followed and closed the door.
ut is long time since you have
honored Karnia with a visit" Karl OBJ
served. ''Will you sit DOWN.
Karl himself did not sit. He stood
negligently beside the mants,. an arm
stretched along 1t.
Not since the battle OF the Ar,
SIRE" replied the chancellor dryly. He
had headed an army of invasion then
Karl smiled. II hope that now your
errand Is more peaceful"
For answer the chancellor opened
portfolio he carried, and fumbled
among Its papers. But, having found
the right one. he held 1t without open
Ing 1t. Before we come to that. sire.
you have here. / believe, detained for
some strange reason. a Captain Lar
isch. aide-de-camp"-he paused for eff
fect-"to his royal highness, the crown
prince of LIvonia.'