The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-08-30

goggles. with the low-visored cap and
fur coat, he looked not unlike his late
companion. But he had a jaunty step
as he walked toward the car, bit of
swagger that covered. perhaps, just a
trifie of uneasiness.
For Milky now knew his destination.
knew that he was bound on perilous
| work, and that the chances OF his re-
turning were about flfty-flfty. or rather
less.
He did not know his way. Over the
mountains II was plain enough. for
there was but one road. After he
descended into the plain of Karnia.
however, 1t became difficult. Sign
posts were few and not explicit. But
at last he found the railroad. which
he knew well-that railroad without
objective, save as 1t would serve to
move troops toward the border. After
that Milky found 1t easier.
But, with his course assured, other
difficulties presented themselves. To
take the letter to those who would re-
ceive 1t was one thing. But to deliver
1t. with all that 1t might contain, was
uilblHtI. ne Wus not DTllluult WIS
Milky. Only brave and simple of
heart, and unversed in the ways of
darkness.
If, now he could open the letter and
remove 1t, substituting-well what
could he substitute? There were
cigarette papers In his pocket. Trust
Milky for that. But how to make the
exchange?
/ The engine was boiling hard, a dull
roaring under the hood that threat
ened trouble. He drew up beside the
road and took on the water cap. Then
he whistled. Why, of Counsel Had 1t
not been done from time immemorial,
this steaming of letters7 He examined
it. 1t bore no discriminating seal.
He held the. envelope over the water
cap, and was boyishly pleased to feel
the flap loosen. After all, things were
easy enough If one used ones brains.
He rather regretted using almost all
of his cigarette papers, of course. He
had. perhaps, never heard of the drop
of nicotine on the tongue of a dog.
As. for the letter itself, he put 1t.
without even CHANGING at 1t. into his
cap. under the lining. Then he sealed
| the envelope again and dried 1t against
one of the lamps. 1t looked, he re-
fiected. as good as new.
He was extremely pleased with him
self.
Before he returned to the machine
he consulted his watch. 1t was three
o'clock. True, the long early spring
night gave him four more hours of
darkness. But the messenger was due
at three, at the hunting lodge in the
mountains which was his destination.
He would be, at the best, late by an
hour.
On what the messenger had told him
Milky hung his hope of success. This
was, briefly that he should go to the
royal shooting box ut Wedeling, and
should go, not to the house itself, but
to the gate keepers lodge. Here he
was to leave his machine, and tap at
the door. On its being opened. he was
to say nothing. but to give the letter
to him who opened the door. After
that be was to take the machine away
to the capital, some sixty miles farther
on.
The message, then, was to the king
himself. For Milky, as all the world,
knew that Karl, with some kindred
spirits, was at Wedeling, shooting.
That is. If the messenger told the
\ truth. Milky intended to find out He
was nothing If not thorough -
When at last the lights of the lodge
at the gate of Wedeling cleaned out
through the trees, 1t was half-past
three, and wet spring snow was fall