Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-15
LONG LIVE THE KING
Continued From Page Five.)

were doubtless armed-one ut least,
nearest him, was certainly one on
iKarl's own secret agents. And, as
Milky paused, he was not certain, but
1t seemed to him that the man took a
step toward him.
every WELL" said Milky, grumblingi
''But have had long ride, and cold
one. need sleep" i
Even then he had faint hope that
the others would precede him, and
that It would be possible to leap back
to the car, and escape. But, whether
by accident or design, the group closed
about him. Flight was out Of the Ques-
,tion.
A little high was Nikky's head as
he went in. He had done a stupid
thing now. and he knew 1t. He should
have taken his letter and gone back,
with 1t. But, fool or not, he was q,
soldier. Danger made him calm.
The lodge was noisy. Loud talking,
the coming and going Of servants with
trays, the crackle Of wood fires in
which whole logs were burning. and,
as Milky and his escort entered, the
roaring chorus Of hunting song filed
the ears.
! Two Of the men flung off their heavy
coats, and proceeded without ceremony
Into the room whence the sounds is
sued. The third, however, still holding.
the letter, ushered Milky into small
side room, sort Of study, since 1t
'contained desk. For kings must pur-
sue their clerical occupations even on!
holidays.
Milky had reluctantly removed his
cap. His goggles, however, he ven,
ltured to retain. He was conscious
that his guide was studying him In
(tently. But not. with suspicion, he;
,thought. Rather as one 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 trouble?" he asked.
"None, SIR"
ibid Niburg say anything?"
Niburg, then, was the spy Of the;
cathedral. Milky reflected. Suddenly;
he saw way out. 1t was. he after
ward proclaimed, not his own thought.
1T came to him like message. He,
burned a candle to his patron SAINT
some time later, for it.
"The man Niburg had had an unfor.!
Itunate 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
np." !
His companion started. "Niburg,";
he said, "Then-" He glanced at the,
letter he held. 1--WE must find some
one else," he muttered. Il never;
trusted the fellow. A clerk, nothing
'else. For this work it takes wit"
! Milky, sweating with strain, felt
that It did, indeed. HE was badly
used up, SIR" he offered. "Could hard-l
liz walk, and was still trembling with
excitement when met him." /
The man touched bell. "Tell HIS
majesty" he said to the servant who
appeared, ''that his messenger Is here"
! The servant bowed and withdrew. !
J 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 over 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 mocking 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 q compare
lively gracious mood. He had been:
drinking, but he was not intoxi-i
Gated. He was slightly flushed, bis,
eyes were abnormally bright. He
looked, for the moment, ratherl
amiable. Milky was to learn, later on
how easily his smile hardened to a.
terrifying grin.
He ignored Nikky's companion. you
brought q letter."
Milky bowed, and tho other man,
held it out. Karl took it.
1.-THE trip was uneventful?"
Eyes, SIRE"
"A bad night for It," Karl observed,
and glanced at the letter in his hand.
l"was there any difficulty at the
frontier7"
"None, SIRE"
! Karl tore the end of the envelope
"You will remain here tonight" he
said. Tomorrow morning shall send
dispatches to the city. I hope you have
petrol. These fellows here" he did
mot complete the sentence. He in
serted two royal fingers into the en-
;;velope and drew out-Nikky's cigar
,ette papers!
For a moment there was complete
,silence in the room. Karl turned the
papers over.
1t was then that his face hardened
into h horrible grin. lie looked up,
raising his head slowly.
} "What is this?" he demanded. very
quietly.
1.-THE letter, SIRE" said Milky. "En
'The letterl Do you call these q
letter."