The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-04-25

own officers, indeed.
go through the pockets" he or
dered sternly.
Came into view under the flash
pair of gloves, a box of matches, a silk
handkerchief, a card case. The agent
said nothing. but passed card to the
| chancellor, who read II without COM
| ment.
There was silence in the car.
At last the chancellor stirred. "This
mamie took your car on?"
"Yes. 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 Lnrisch, with n motor that
did not belong to him, and wearing
clothing which his victim described us
a chauffeur's coat of leather, breeches
and puttees, and a fur greatcoat over
all.
Had the snow commenced when
this happened?"
mot 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 1t was that, after an hour or so,
they picked up Nikky's trail, now
twenty-four hours old but still clear,
and followed 1t. 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 Wedeling. Mettlich fell
back with something between a curse
and groan.
"The fool ~ he muttered. "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 room for him ut the
inn, and rather cavalierly locked him
in 1t.
The chancellor slipped hot milk and
considered. Milky Larisch q prisoner
In Karl's hands caused him less
anxiety than 1t would have a month
before. But what was behind 1t allf
At 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 nc
mistaking 1t, the sleep Of 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 dooI
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 q
match and lighted pipe.
Half an hour later, the chancellor'l
] prisoner, still stiff and weak, was max
ing his way toward the hunting lodge
Kaiser saw him first, and found tn,
q story unenlightenlng. Nor could Karl
a reused by terrified valet, make mucl
d more OF It. When the man had gone
r Karl lay back among his pillows ant
{ eyed his agent.
$50 Mettlich is here!" he said. "a
s hasty journey. They must be eager.
"They must be In trouble" Kaise
s observed dryly. And on that uncom
plimentary comment King Karl slept
his face drawn into weary smile.
But he received the chancellor O
Livonia cordially the next morning, go
ing himself to the lodge doorstep h
meet his visitor, and there shaking
hands with him.
II am greatly honored, excellency,
he said. with his twisted smile.
sand i, SIRE"
But the. chancellor watched hin
from under his shaggy brows. Tn
messenger had escaped. BY now Kar
knew the story, knew of his midnigh
ride over the mountains and the hast
1t indicated.
Karl himself led the way to hi
study, ignoring the chamberlain, an
stood aside to let Mettlich entel
\ Then he followed and closed the dool
y 1T is n long time since you hav
honored Karnia with visit" Karl OF
served. "Will you sit DOWN.
= Karl himself did not sit. He stoo
negligently beside the mantel, an arr
/, stretched along 1t.
"NOt since the battle Of the Al
Y SIRE" replied the chancellor dryly. II
had headed an army of invasion theI
Karl smiled. II hope that now you
errand is more peaceful"
For answer the chancellor opened
portfolio he carried, and tumble
among its papers. But, having foun
re the right one, he held 1t without oper
a. ing 1t. Before we come to that, sir'
,r you have here, believe, detained fo
f. some strange reason, Captain La
isch, Aide-de-camp"--he paused for e