Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-07-12
CHAPTER Xlll-Continued.


The candle was at last lighted. 1t
burned fitfulIy, Illuminating only tiny
zone in the darkness.
81 need lantern" Bobby observed.
There's a draft here. 1t comes from
the other grating. Some time, when
you have time, I'd like to see what's
beyond it. / was kind of nervous
about going alone"
1t was the old passage, then, of
course. Old Adelbert stared as Bobby
took the candle and held it toward a
second grated door, like the first, but
taller.
A close examination revealed to old
Adelbert two things: First, that
brick-lined passage, apparently in good
repair, led beyond the grating. Sec
ond, that it had been recently put In
order. No unused passage this, but
one kept in order and repair. For
what?
That evening Adelbert called to see
his friend, the locksmith in the uni
versity place. He possessed, he SAID,
q paddock of which he had lost the
key, and which, being fastened to
chest, he was unable to bring with him.
A large and heavy paddock. perhaps
the size of his palm.
When he left, he carried with him
q bundle of neys, tied in brown
paper.
But he did not back to his chest.
He went instead to the thicket around
the old gate, which was still termed
the "Gate of the Moon" and there,
armed with a lantern, pursued his In
vestigatiOns during a portion of the
night.
When he had finished, old Adelbert,
veteran of many wars, one-time patrlot
and newly turned traitor, held in his
shaking hands the fate of the king
dom.
The Countess Loschek was on her
way across the border. The arrange
ments were not Of her making. Her
plan, which had been to go afoo'
across the mountain to the town OF
Ar-on-Ar, and there to hire motor
had been altered by the arrival at the
castle, shortly after the permission
was given, of a machine.
sThe matter of passports for the
border is arranged, madame" BlacR
Humbert told her.
81 have my own passports" she said
proudly.
"They will not be necessary"
'T will have this interview at my
destination alone. or not at all"
He drew himself to his great height
and regarded her with cold eyes. LAS
Won wish" he said. "But it is prob
ably not necessary to remind madame
that. whatever Is discussed at this
meeting, no word must be mentioned OF
the committee, or its plans"
Although he made no threat, she had
shivered. No, there must be no wore
of the committee, or of the terror tha'
drove her to Karl. For, if the worst
happened, if he failed her, and she
must do the thing they had set her &c
do. Karl must never know. That caro-
she must play alone.
Everything hung on the result OF hei
visit. If Karl persisted, If he woulC
,narry Hedwig in spite of the trouble
Il would precipitate, then indeed she
WINS lost. If, on the other hand, he
was inclined to peace, If her story OF
a tottering throne held his hand, she
would defy the committee CT ten. karl
himself would help her to escape
might indeed hide her. 1t would MOI
no for long. Without Karl's support
tbe kings death would bring the ter
ror,sts into control. They would have
other things to do than to hunt hei
out Their end would be gained with
ont her. Let them steal the crown
or;nce then. Let Hedwig fight for hel
chrome and lose 1t. Let the streets
RIM deep with blood and all the panoe
monium of hell break loose.
But If Karl failed her. She ciinchee
her teeth.
The countess did not sleep. Sn'
was. with every fiber of her keen Drain
summoning her arguments. She woule
mood them. for she knew-none better
how great a handicap was hers
She loved Karl, and he knew 1t. Wha
had been her strength had become nel
weakness.
Yer she was composed enough when
hefore tl,e sun was well up, the ma
xaaxe drew up In the village befors