The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1919-01-02
CHAPTER xUl--Continued.

IL
The candle was ut last lighted. n
burned Htfully, Illuminating only a tiny
zone in the darkness.
II need a lantern" Bobby observed.
There's a draft here. 1t IN from
the other grating. Some time, when
you have time, I'd like to see what's
beyond II. / was kind Of nervous
about going alone"
It was the old passage, then, of
course. Old Adelbert stared us Bobby
took the candle and held 1t toward u
second grated door, like the first. but
taller.
A close examination revealed TO old
Adelbert two things: First, that a
brick-lined passage, apparently In good
repeir, led beyond the grating. Sec
ond, that IL had been recently put In
order. No unused passage this, but
one kept In order and repair. For
what7
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 u
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
. bundle Of keys, tied In a brown
paper.
But he did not back to his chest.
He went instead to the thlcket around
the old gate, which was still termed
the Gate Of the Moon" and there,
armed with a lantern. pursued his In
vestigations during q portion Of the
night.
When he had finished, old Adelbert,
veteran Of many wars, one-time patriot
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 we're not OF her making. Her
plan, which had been to go afoot
across the mountain to the town OF
Ar-on-Ar. and there to hire a motor,
had been altered by the arrival at the
castle, shortly after the permission
was given, of Q machine.
'sThe matter Of passports for the
border Is arranged, madame" Black
Humbert told her.
II have my own passports" she said
proudly.
They will not be necessary"
~ will have this interview at my
destination alone, or not at ALL"
He drew himself to his great height
aud regarded her with cold eyes. "As
you WISH" he said. "But 1t Is prob
ably not necessary TO remind madame
that, whatever Is discussed at this
meeting. 40 word must be mentioned OF
the committee, or its plans"
Although he made no threat, she had
shivered. No, there must be no word
OF the committee, or Of the terror that
drove her to Karl. For. II the worst
happened. II he failed her, and she
must do the thing they had set her to
do, Karl must never know. That card
abe must play alone.
Everything hung on the result OF her
visit. IL Kari persisted, II he would
marry Hedwig In spite Of the trouble
It would precipitate. then indeed she
was lost. II, on the other hand, be
was inclined TO peace, II her story OF
a tottering throne held his hand, she
would defy the committee Of ten. Kari
himself would help her to escape
might indeed hide her. II would mo-
be for long. Without Kari's support
the kings death would bring the ter
rorists into control. They would have
other things to do than TO hunt heI
out Their end would be gained with
out her. Let them steal the crown
prince. then. Let Hedwig night for he
throne and lose Il. Let the street
run deep with blood and all the pande
mouium Of hell break loose.
But II Kari failed her. She clinche'
her teeth.
The countess did not sleep. sh
was. with every nber Of her keen brain
summoning her arguments. She woul
need them, for abe knew-none bette
how great handicap was herr
She loved Karl, and he knew Il Wha
had been her strength had become he
weakness.
Yet she was composed enough when
before the sun was well up. the ms
chine drew % IN the village befor