River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-05-02

dered sternly.
Came into view under the flash
pair of gloves, box of matches, silk
handkerchief, card case. The agent
said nothing, but passed a card to the
chancellor, who read it without COM
ment.
| There was silence in the car.
| At last the chancellor stirred. "This
mamie took your car On?"
eyes. And he has not returned. NO
other machine has passed"
The secret service men exchanged
glances. 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, breaches
and puttees, and fur greatcoat over
all.
Had the snow commenced when
this happened?"
"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 car. Go slowly"
So it 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 Wedding, Mettlich fell
back with something between. curse
and a groan.
| N.'The fool!" he muttered.t "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 a room for him at the
inn, and rather cavalierly locked him
in it.
The chancellor slipped hot milk and
considered. Milky Larisch prisoner
In Karl's hands caused him less
anxiety than it would have a month
At a 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 it. the sleep of a 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 crawled up, like snake
out of a 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 stiff and weak, was max
ing his way toward the hunting lodge.
Kaiser saw him first, and found the
story manufacturing. Nor could Karl,
reused by terrified valet, make much
Il lks
Karl lay back among his pillows and
eyed his agent.
$50 Mettlich is here!'' he said. ga
hasty journey. They must be eager"
"They must be in trouble" Kaiser
observed dryly. And on that uncom-
pIimentary comment King Karl slept,
his face drawn into a weary smile.
| I. In n
Livonia cordially the next morning, go
ing himself to the lodge doorstep to
meet his visitor, and there shaking
hands with him.
81 am greatly honored, excellency,"
he said, with his twisted smile.
"And I, 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, and the haste
it 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.
at is a long time since you have
honored Kannia with a visit" Karl OBJ
served. evil you sit down?"
Karl himself did not sit. He stood
Inegligently beside the mantel, an arm
stretched along it.
''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 it without open
ing it. Before we come to that, sire,
you have here, believe, detained for
some strange reason, a Captain Lar
Iisch, aide-de-camp"-he paused for eff
lfect-'to his royal highness, the crown
prince of yivonia-"
| Karl glanced up quickly. perhaps,
if you will describe this-gentle-
man"