The Dermott news., 1918-02-28

robbed he said. Robbed. / am
ruined. l am dead"
Tut" said Milky, mopping his cut
lip. "If you are dead, your spirit
speaks with an uncommonly lusty
voice! Come, get up. We present to-
gcther a shameful picture of defeat"
But he raised Peter Niburg gently
from the ground and. finding his knees
unstable. from fright or weakness,
stood him against house wall. Peter
Niburg, with rolling eyes, felt for his
found ii.
"Ah,' he said. and Strengthened up.
after all, II is not so bad as / feared.
They got nothing"
He made manful effort to walk.
but tottered, reeled. Milky caught
him.
Careful" he said. "The colossus
was doubtless the one who got US
both. and we are likely to feel his
weight for some time. Where do you
liver"
Peter Niburg was not for saying.
He would have preferred to pursue his
solitary II uncertain way. But Milky
was no half Samaritan. Toward Peter
Niburgs lodging. then, they made
slow progress.
THESE recent gentlemen" said Nix
ky, as they went along. they are, per-
haps. personal enemies?"
Peter Nihurg reflected He thought
not. But know why they came" he
said unguardedly. "Some early morn
ing. my friend. you will hear OF man
lying dead in the street. That man
will be t.
'The thought has a moral" observed
Milky. DO not trust yourself out-of-
doors at night"
But he saw that Peter Nihurg kept
his hand over his breast pocket.
Never having dealt in mysteries.
Milky was slow at recognizing one.
But. he reflected. many things were
going on In the old city in these trou-
bled days. Came Ia Milky. all nj once,
that this man on his arm might be one
of the hidden eyes OF government.
These are difficult times" he VEN
tured. for those who are loyal"
Peter Niburg gave him sidelong
glance. Difficult indeed" he said
briefly.
Il think" Milky observed. that.
after l see you safely home. I shall
report this small matter to the police"
But here Peter Nlburg turned even
paler. .Not-not the police" he
stammered.
"But why? You and I. my friend.
will carry their insignia for some days.
l have a mind to pay our debts
Peter Niburg considered He step
ped and faced Milky. II do not wish
the police" he said perhaps | have
said too little. This Is a private mat
ter. An affair Of Jealousy"
II see,"
Naturally. not matter for pub
licity."
Very we'll" Milky assented But
In his mind WIS rising dark suspicion.
lie had stumbled on something. He
cursed his stupidity that it meant, So
far, nothing more than mystery Il
him. He did not pride himself on his
Intelligence
You were not alone. I Think
Peter Niburg suddenly remembered
Herman. and stopped.
Your friend must have escaped"
He would escape" said Peter Nj
burg Scorufully. He Is Of the type
that runs"
He lapsed into sullen silence Soon
he paused before "A quiet house, one
of the many which housed in cavernous
depths uncounted clerks and other
small fry Of the city. Good night 10
you" said Peter Niburg. Then, rather
tardily. And my thanks. But for
you | should now" he shrugged his
shoulders.
Good night. friend" said Milky.
And better keep your bed tomorrow.
He had turned away and Peter Nj
burg entered the house.
Milky inspected himself In the glow
OF street lamp. Save for some dust.
and swollen lip. which he could not
see he was not unpresentahle. Well
enough. anyhow. for the empty streets.
hut before he started he looked the
house and the neighborhood over care
fully. He might wish TO return TO that
house
For two hours he walked, and re-
sumed his interrupted train of thought.
At last, having almost circled the city.
he came To the Cathedral. 1t was
nearly midnight by the clock In the
Ugh tower. He stopped and consulted
his watch. The fancy took him to SO
up the high steps, and look out over
the city from the colonnade.
once there, he stood leaning against
column. looking out. There was
someone coming along the quiet
streets, with a stealthy. shufling gait
that caught his attention. So, for in
stance. might weary or wounded
man drag along. Exactly so, indeed,
had Peter Nhurg shamhled into his
house but two hours gone.