The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-04-27

goggles, with the wvisored cap an(
fur coat. he looked not unlike his lat,
companion. But he had jaunty stel
as he walked toward the car, bit o.
swagger that covered perhaps, just {
trifie Of uneasinesS.
For Milky now knew his destination
knew that he was bound on perilous
work. and that the chances Of his re-
turning were about fifty-ffty, or rather
less
He did not know his way Over the
mountains it was plain enough. for
there was but one road After he
descended into the plain Of karnia,
however, it became difficult Sign
posts were few and not explicit. But
at last he found the railroad. which
he knew well-that railroad without
objective. save as it would serve 70
move troops toward the border After
that Milky found 1t easier
But, with his course assured. other
/ difficulties presented themselves. To
! take the letter to those who would re-
| ceive it was one thing. But to deliver
| it. with all that il might contain, was
another. He was not brilliant, was
Milky. Only brave and simple Of
heart. and IMMERSED in the ways of
darkness.
If, now he could open the letter and
remove 1t, substituting-well, what
could he substitute? There were
cigarette papers In his pocket Trust
Milky for that. But how to make the
exchange!
The engine was boiling hard a dull
roaring under the hood that threat
ened trouble. He drew up beside the
road and took Of the water cap. Then
he whistled. Why, of course. Had it
not been done from time immemorial,
this steaming OF letters? He examined
1t. 1t bore no discriminating seal
He held the envelope over the water
cap. and was bOyishly pleased TO feel
the flap loosen. After all, things were
easy enough If one used ones brains.
He rather regretted using almost all
Of his cigarette papers, OF course. He
had, perhaps, never heard Of the drop
Of nicotine on the tongue of dog.
AS for the letter itself, he put it.
without even glancing at it, into his
cap, under the lining Then he sealed |
the envelope again and dried it against |
one OF the lamps. 1t looked, he re |
fected. as good as new.
He lroS aytrnypoI,- rloo cod u-itb him
self.
Before he returned to the machine |
he consulted his watch. 1t was three
o'clock. True, the long early spring
night gave him four more hours Of
darkness. But the messenger was due
at three, at the hunting lodge in the
mountains which was his destination.
He would be, at the best, late by an
hour.
On what the messenger had told him
Milky hung his hope Of success. This
was, briefly, that he should go to the
-oyal shooting box at Wedding, and
should 60, not to the house itself, but
o the gate keepers lodge. Here he
vas to leave his machine, and tap at
he door. On its being opened. he was
o say nothing, but to give the letter
o him who opened the door. After
hat he was to take the machine away
O the capital, some sixty miles farther !
n.
The message. then, was to the king :
imself For Milky, as all the world,
new that Karl. with some kindred
pirits, was at Wedding, shooting.
hat is. il the messenger told the
ruth. Milky intended to find out. He
as nothing IL not thorough.
When at last the lights Of the lodge {
t the gate Of Wedding cleaned out t
1rough the trees, 1t was half-past {
1ree, and a wet spring snow was fall b
IL softly. In an open place Milky q
,oked up. The stars were gone. t
The lodge now, and the gate keep
e house. Nikky's heart hammered b
J he left the car-hammered with d
ervousness. not terror. But he went h
,ldly to the door. and knocked. v
So far all was well. There were e.
,otsteps within, and q man stepped
II into the darkness, closing the door Il
,hind him. Il
You have the letter." he asked. "
1T is here" a.
II will take It." re
Milky held 1t out. The man fun II
ed for ii, took 1t.
Orders have come" said the voice CO
hat you remain here for the night. In