Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-03-06
'yyrs stool 4 lind shouting RI


citizens was growing--sOber citizens nc
longer. For the little king had not
been shown to them. Obviously he
could not be shown to them. There
fore rumor was right, and the boy was
gone.
Against the palace, therefore, their
rage was turned. The shouts for the
little king turned to threats. The
archbishop had come out on the bal
cony accompanied by Father Gregory
The archbishop had raised his hands
but had not obtained silence. Instead
to his horror and dismay a few stones
had been thrown.
He retired, breathing hard. But
Father Gregory had remained, facing
the crowd fearlessly, his arms moi
raised In benediction, but folded across
his chest. Stones ratified about him
but he did not finch, and at last hi
gained the ears of the crowd. Hi;
great voice, stern and fearless, held
them.
my friends" he said, there is worl
to be done, and you lose time. VIZ
cannot show you the king, because he
is not here. While you stand there
shrielzing, his enemies have their will
of him. The little king has been stolen
from the palace"
He might have swayed them, even
then. He tried to move them to a
search of the city. But pallid man,
sweating with excitement, climbed on
the shoulders of two companions, and
faced the crowd.
AYE, he is stolen" he cried. But
who stole him? Not the city. We are
loyal. Ask the palace where he is.
Ask those who have allied themselves
with Karnia. Ask Mettllch."
There was more, Of course. The
cries of ITO the palace!'' Increased.
Those behind pushed forward, .shov-
ing the ones ahead toward the arch
way, where line Of soldiers with fixed
bayonets stood waiting.
The archduchess and Hilda with
handful of women, had fed to the roof,
and from there saw the advance of the
mob. Hedwig had haughtily refused
to go.
AT the hospital, Haeckel, the stu
dent, stood by his window, and little
by little the veil lifted. His slow
blood stirred first. The beating of
drums, the shrieks of the crowd, the
fires, all played their part. Another
patient Joined him, and together they
looked out.
bad work." said the other man.
"Ayel" said Haeckel. Then, speak
ing very slowly m With difficulty, II
do not understand.
1.-THE king is dead
aye" observed Haeckel, still I'M
comprehending. And then, Dead
the king?"
dead Hear the bell"
Then But he could not at once
formulate the thought in his. mind.
Speech came hard. He was still in a
cloud.
"They sny." said the other man.
that the crown prince is missing, that
he has been stolen. The people are
frenzied.'
He went on, iilating on the rumors.
Still Haeckel labored. The king The
crown princeI There was something
that he was to do. 1t was just be-
yond him. but he could not remember.
Then, by accident, the other man
touched the hidden spring of his men,
Dry.
"There are some who think that
Mettlich---"
"MettIich That was the word.
With it the curtain split, as it were,
the cloud was gone. Haeckel put a
hand TO his head.
A few minutes later. strange figure
dashed out of the hospital. The night
Waterman had Joined the mob, and
was at that moment selecting rifle
from a cart. Around the cart were
students, still in their carnival finery,
wearing the colors of, his own corps.
Haeckel, desperate Of eye, pallid and
gaunt. clad still in his hospital shirt
and trousers, Haeckel climbed on to
the wagon, and mounted to the seat,
strange swaying figure, with band
age on his head. In spite OF that,
there were some who knew him.
"Haeckelr they cried The word
spread. The crowd of students pressed
close. .s
what would you dot" he cried to
them. "You know me. You see me
now. / have been done almost to
death by those you would aid. Aye.
arm yourselves. but not against your
king. We have sworn to stand to-
gether. l call on you, men Of my
corps, to follow me. There are those
who tonight will murder the little king
and put King Mob on the throne. And
they be those who have tortured me.
Look at mel This they have done to
me- He tore the bandage of, and
showed his SCARED head. "Quickl" he
cried. II know where they hide. these
spawn of hell. Who win follow mel
To the kfngr'
ITO the king!"
They took up the cry, a few at first,