The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-06-29
CHAPTER XllI-Continued.

Sf7AF EH Nlil-SOnLinUGOs
p
The candle was at last lighted. 1t
burned fitfully, Illuminating only tiny
zone in the darkness.
81 need a lantern" Bobby observed.
'"ThereS q draft here. 1t comes from
the other grating. Some time, when
you have time, I'd like to see what's
beyond it. 1 was kind of nervous
about going alone"
It was the old passage, then. of
course Old Adelbert stared as BOBBY
took the candle and held 1t toward
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,
a paddock of which he had lost the
kew, 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
a bundle Of keys, tied in a 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 lantern, pursued his IN
vestigations during a portion OF the
night.
When he had finished, old AdelDert,
veteran of many wars, one-time patriot
and newly turned traitor, held In MS
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
pIan, which had been to go a1oot
across the mountain to the town OF
Ar-op-Ar. and there to hire motor
had been altered by the arrival at the
castle. shortly after the PERMISSION
was given, of machine.
"Tbe matter of passports for the
border is arranged, madame biacA
-Humbert told her.
81 have my own passports" she SAID
proudly.
"They will not be necessary
81 will have this interview at my
destination alone, or not ut all.
He drew himself to his great height
and regarded her with cold eyes. AS
Won wish" he said. But 1t is PROB
ably not necessary to remind madame
that whatever Is discussed at TINS
meeting, no word must be mehtioneu u
the committee, or its plans.
Although he made no threat she hal
.shivered. No, there must De no "oru
of the committee, or OF the terror 'nat
drove her TO Karl. For, If the worst
hammered. if he failed her, ana she
must do the thing they had SCI hei ~
do, Karl must never know. lnat caru
she must play alone.
Everything hung on the result OF her
visit. If Karl persisted, II ne "ouiu
marry Hedwig in spite OF the trouoie
1T would precipitate, then lndeeu sue
u,os lost If. on the other mana, he
was inclined to peace, if her story OF
totterlng throne held his Eand, sne
would defy the committee OF ten. MARI
himself would help her to escape
might indeed hide her. 1t would no'
be for long. Without karrs support
the kings death would bring the ter
ror;sts into control. They would nave
other things to do than to hunt mel
out. Their end would be gained WIN
out her. Let them steal the crown
prince. then. Let Hedwig fight Tor hei
throne and lose it. Let the streets
run deep with blood and all the panoe
7monium of hell break loose.
But If Karl failed her. She clincheo
her teeth.
The countess did not sleep. Sn'
was. with every fiber OF her Keen praln
.summoning her arguments. She woule
need them, for she knew-none better
how great a handicap was ners
She loved Karl, and he knew 1t. Wha
had been her strength had become mel
weakness.
Yet she was composed enough when
before the sun was well up, the ma
chino droyu nm in the village Defor'