The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-10-31

hrv" IVY WAnovW% W~ W. -
palace.
Peter was calm. He had carried
many such letters - the nj bow hid-
den In his breast pocket. No coz
science stirred In him. II he tid
| not do this work. others would
He had until midnight. At that
hour q messenger would receive the
letter from him in the colonnads Of
the cathedral. On this night, each
week, the messenger waited. Some
times there was Q letter. sometimes
none. That was all. II was amazing.
" simple, and for II n received the
difference between penury and com
fort.
Seeing Peter settled. q steaming
platter before him, Herman turned
nnd hurried through the night. This
which he had happened on was q big
thing. too big for him alone. Two
heads were better than o.. He
would take advice.
on the main avenue he fell into q
smart trot. The color came to his
pale cheeks. A cold sweat broke out
over him. He was short Of wind from
many cigarettes. But at last he
reached the house.
Black Humbert was not In his bu-
reau. behind the grating. With easy
familiarity Herman turned to q door
beyond and entered. A dirty little
room, II was Uttered now with the
preparations for q meal. On the bare
table were q loaf. q jug Of beer. and
a dish Of fried veal. The concierge
was ut the stove making gravy In n
frying pan-a huge man. bearded and
heavy Of girth, yet stepping lightly.
like a cat. A dark man and called
'the black" he yet revealed, on full
glance, eyes %curlously pale and fiat.
No greeting passed between them.
Humbsrt gave his visitor q quick
glance. Herman closed the door, and
wiped out the band OF his hat. The
concierge poured the gravy over the
meat.
~ have discovered something" Her
man said. AS to its value, ! know
, nothing. or Its use to u.s."
. Let me Judge that"
, at Is q matter of a letter."
ott uoWh, hiuht tCib te ~ -
Z you wish me to draw the Information,
like bad teeth7"
"A letter from the palace" said
Herman. And explained.
Black Humbert listened. He was
: skeptical. but not entirely incredulous,
He knew the court-none better. The
e wome Of the court wrote many let
ters He saw q number Of them
O through one Of his men In the posi-
office. There were many intrigues
q After all. who could blame them? Tit
court was dreury enough these days
and II they chose to amuse themselve!
us best they could-one must maxi
allowances.
. "A liaison I" he said at last. will
a his mouth full. 1.-THE countess Is hand
IL some. and bored. Annunciata Is driv
her husband. But 1t Is worth consld
r. Grafton. Even the knowledge Of N
10 intrigue Is often helpful. OF wha
size was the letterT'
: "a small envelope. I saw no more.
- $50" The big man rose, and un
N tied his solled apron. "Go back" n
:. said, "and enter the restaurant. o.
~ der n small meal, that you may hav
finished when he does. Leave wit
him and suggest the Hungaria."
Is "Hungaria! have no money"
IL "You will need no money. Nov
~ mark this: At q certain corner 20
y will be attacked and robbed. A mer
% FORM" he added. as he saw Herman
81 pallld face 60 whittier. "For the ret
" envelope will be substituted anotheI
u In his breast pocket. you said. Wei
nc then suggest going to his room. Il
may" added the concierge grimlv, ri
u quire your assistance. i i'm Q
a his lodging. but watch ->e.
TO Is important to know to "uvm he d.
~ llvers these letters"
er AZ the man stood, he seemed to n
re covering Herman TO swell until .
~ dominated the room. He o on a
thority. To Herman came sudden'
the memory OF O hidden room, an
many men. and one, huge and towe
Ing, who held the others In the hoilo
OF his hand. Back went Herman ov'
Il his earlier route. But now he did n
run. His craven knees shook benen'
him. Fresh sweat. not Of haste b.
OF fear, broke out owe him. He WI
was brave enough OF tongue In II
4 meetings, who was capable OF risiI
10 heights OF cruelty that amounted
feroclty when one Of q mob, was
coward alone.
However, the sight Of the restaurar
and OF his fellow clerk eating calml
quleted him. Peter Niburg was st
alone. Herman took a table near hi
and ordered a bowl Of soup. II
hands shook, but the hot food reviv'
I'M him. After ali. II was simple enoul
III But. OF course, II hinged entirely
his fellow clerks agreeing to accoI
pany him.
u He glanced across. Peter Nibu
was eating. but his eyes were m
!: on Madame Marie, ut her high de.
III There was speculation In them. q
m something else. Triumph. perhaps.
. Suddenly Herman became cal
Calm with hate.
And. after all. II was very 90