Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-10
CHAPTER xyuIJ-Cont,pued
copyrIsht. lols. hy Mary non

TNHAT evening in his extremity he did
L reckless thing lie wrote letter
to the King. He spent hours over IT,,
iirst composing 1t in pencil and then
copying II with ink borrowed from the
concierge. 1t began "Sire." ms he had
learned was the form. and went on TO
remind his Majesty, first. of the hospital
incident. which. having been forty years
ago, might have slipped tho royal
memory. Then came the facts--hs lost
position, his daughter. the handicap of
his wooden leg. It ended with II plea
Tor reinstatement or failing that, for
any sort of work.
He sent It. unfoided. in large fat
envelope. which also he had learned was
the correct thing with kings who for
some reason or other do not like folded
communications. Then he waited. He
considered that a few hours should bring
a return.
No answer came. 40 answer ever
came. For the King was III. and secre-
tarles carefully sifted the royal mail.
He waited all Of the next day, and
out of the mixed emotions of his soul
confided the incident of the letter 10
Humbert,. in his bureau below.
The concierre smiled In his beard.
What does the King care?' he de-
manded. He will never see that letter
And II he did-you have lived long. my
friend. Have you ever known the King
to give. or to 90 anything but take :?
Name me but one instance"
And that night, in the ooncierge's $
bureau, he was treated to many In
cidents. all alike. The Government took.
but gave nothing AS well expect blood
out OF stone. Instances were given,
heartlessness piled on heartlessness, one
sordid story on another.
And as he listened there died in old
Adelbert's soul his flaming lovo for his
sovereign and his belief in him. His
eyes took on Il hard and haunted look.
That night he walked past the palace
and shook his fist at II. He was greatly
ashamed of that, however. and never re-
peated It. But his soul was now an open
sore, ready for infection.
And Black Humbert bided his time
On the day OF the excursion TO the
fortress old Adelbert decided to appeal
TO his fellow .lodger. Herman Spier Now
and then. when he was effiuent, he had
paid small tribute tosHerman by means
Of the camp cookery on which he prided
himself.
"a soldiers mess 80 he would, say, and
bring in bowl of soup or a slice Of
deer meat, broiled over hot Goals in his
tiny stove. Eat it, man These
restaurants know nothing of food
TO Herman now he turned for advice
and help. 1t was difficult TO find the
clerk. He left early. and often came
home after midnight in IA curious frame
of mind, Il drunkenness OF excitement
that was worse than that of liquor.
Herman could not help him. But he
eyed the old soldier raisingly. He
guessed shrcwdly the growing uneasiness
behind Adelbert's brave front, If now
one could enlist such man for the
cause, that would be worth doing. He
had talked 1t over with the concierge.
Among the veterans the old man was
influential. and by this new policy Of
substituting fresh blood for stale the
Government had made many enemies
among them.
'ln shop" he said coldly. with
that leg? No, my friend. Two legs
are hardly enough for what we have
to do"