Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-03-07

sued. The third. however. still holding
the letter. ushered Milky into Q small
side room. a sort Of study. f'nce II
contained o desk. For kings must pur.
sue their clerical occupations even on
holidays.
Milky had reluctantly removed his
cap. His goggles. however. he ven.
tured to retain. He was conscious
that his guide was studying him in.
tently. But not with suspicion. he
thought. Rather as n who would
gauge the caliber Of the man before
him. He seemed satisfied. too. for his
voice. which had been curt, grew more
friendly.
"You had no trouble7" he asked.
"None, SIR"
did Niburg say anythingT"
Nlburg. then, was the spy Of the
cathedral. Milky reflected. Suddenly
he saw q way out. 1t was. he after.
ward proclaimed. not his own thought.
1t came to him like a message. He
burned a candle to his patron saint.
some time later, for 1t.
1.-THE ma Niburg had had IN unfor-
tunate experience, sir. He reported
that, during an evening stroll. before
he met me, he was attacked by three
men, with the evident intention Of Sc.
curing the letter. He was badly beaten
up"
His companion started. "Niburg,"
he said. Then" He glanced at the
letter he held. I'VE must find some
one else," he muttered. Il never
trusted the fellow. A clerk, nothing
else. For this work 1t takes wit"
Milky. sweating with strain, felt
that It did, indeed. HE was badly
used up, sir" he offered. "Could hard
ly walk, and was still trembling with
excitement when I met him."
The man touched a bell. "Tell his
majesty" he said to the servant who
appeared, that his messenger Is here"
The servant bowed and withdrew.
Milky found the wait that followed
trying. He thought Of Hedwig, and Of
the little crown prince. Suddenly he
knew that he had no right to attempt
this thing. He had given his word,
almost his oath, to the king. to protect
and watch v e the boy. And here he
was, knowing now that mischief was
afoot, and powerless. He cursed him.
self for his folly.
Then Karl came In. He came alone,
closing the door behind him. Milky
and his companion bowed, and Milky
surveyed him through his goggles. The
same hooking face he remembered,
from Karl's visit to the summer pal.
ace, the same easy, graceful carriage,
the same small mustache. He was In
uniform and apparently in a compare.
lively gracious mood. he had been
drinking. but he was not intoxi.
Gated. He was slightly flushed, his
eyes were abnormally bright. He
looked, for the moment, rather
amiable. Milky was to learn. later on,
how easily his smile hardened to a
terrifying grin.
He ignored Nikky's companion. "You
brought a letterw
Milky bowed. and the other man
held It out. Karl took 1t.
1.-THE trip was u%neventfulT
Eyes, sire"
"A bad night for It," Karl observed,
and glanced at the letter In his hand.
"Was there any difficulty at the
frontier"
"None, SIRE"
Karl tore the end of the envelope,
"You will remain here tonight" he
said. Tomorrow morning I shall send
to the city. I hope you have
petrol. These fellows here" He did
not complete the sentence. He In.
serted two royal fingers into the en-
velope and drew out-Nikky's cigar.
cite papersl
For a moment there was complete
silence in the room. Karl turned the
papers over.
It was then that his face hardened
into a horrible grin. He looked up,
raising his head slowly.
"What Is this7" he demanded, very
quietly.
1.-THE letter, sire" said Milky. e."
'The letter! Do you call these q
letter."
Milky drew himself up. II have
brought the envelope which was given
me-"
Without a word Karl held out papers
and envelope to the other man, who
took them. Then he turned to Milky,
and now no raised his voice. "Where
did you get thls-hoaxr he demanded.
AT the cathedral, from the man nj.
"You lie" said Karl. Then. for a
moment, he left Milky and turned on
his companion In q fury. He let his
royal rage beat on that unlucky In.
dividual while the agent stood, white
and still. Not until II wal over, and
Kari, spent with passion, was pacing
the door, did Milky venture q word.
III this ID not witt your majesty
expected" he said, "thcre 10 perhaps
an explanation"
Karl wheeled on him. "Explana.
toni"
..rha man Niburr was ATTACHED.