Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-12-29

! cursed his stupidity that 1t meant, Sc
far, nothing more than q mystery to
him. He did not pride himself on his
intelligence.
"You were not alone, thinkY
Peter Niburg suddenly remembered
Herman, and stopped.
"Your friend must have escaped"
"He would escape" said Peter Nj
burg scornfully. HE Is of the type
| that runs"
He lapsed into suilen silence. Soon
he paused before quiet house. one
of the many which housed I'm cayernous
depths uncounted clerks and other
small fry of the city. 'tGood night to
you" said Peter Niburg. Then. rather
&arGiiy. "And my thanks. But fol
you I should now" he shrugged his
shoulders.
"Good night, friend" said Milky
~Andq better keep your bed tomorrow
He had turned away and Peter Nj
burg entered the house.
Milky inspected himself In the glow
of street lamp, Save for some dust
and "a swollen lip, which he could not
see, he was not unpresentable. Well
enough, anyhow, for the empty streets
But before he started he looked the
house and the neighborhood over care
fully. He might wish to return to that
| house.
For two hours ne walked, and re-
sumed his interrupted train of thought.
| At last, having almost circled the city
ne came to the Cathedral. 1t was
nearly midnight by the clock in the
high tower. He stopped and consulted
his watch. The fancy took him to &c
up the high steps, and look out over
the city from the colonnade.
Once there, he stood leaning against
a column, looking out. There was
someone coming along the quiet
streets, with a stealthy. shuffling gait
that caught his attention. So, for in
stance, might weary or a wounded
man drag along. Exactly so, indeed
had Peter Niburg shambled into his
house but two hours gone.
The footsteps paused, hesitated
commenced painful struggle up the
ascent. Milky moved behind his col
umn, and waited. Up and up, weary
step after weary step. The shadowy
figure, coming close, took a form, be,
came a man-became Peter Niburg
Now, indeed Milky reused. Beaten
and sorely bruised, Peter Niburg
should have been in bed. What
Stealthy business of the night brought
him Out?,
Fortunately for Nikky's hiding place.
the last step or two proved too much
for the spy. He groaned, and sat
down painfully, near the top. His
head lolled forward and he supported
/ 1t on two shaking bands. Thus he sat,
huddled and miserable. for five min
utes or Whereabouts. The chime rang
out the hour.
| At ten minutes past the hour, Milky
heard the engine of an automobile.
! No machine came in sight, but the
/ throbbing kept on, from which he
| judged that car had been stopped
around the corner. Peter Niburg heard
| 1t, and rose. A moment later q man,
| with the springiness of youth, mounted
| the steps and confronted the messen-
/ ger.
Milky saw a great light. When
Peter Niburg put his hand to his
breast pocket, there was no longer
room for doubt, nor, for that matter,
time for thinking. AS a matter of
fact, never afterward could Milky re-
call thinking at all. He moved away
quietly, hidden by the shadows Of the
, colonnade. Behind him, on the steps,
the two men were talking. Absorbed
in themselves and their business, they
neither heard nor saw the figure that
| slipped through the colonnade, and
dropped, blood curdllng drop from
, the high end of it to the street be-
low.
| Nikky's first impulse, beside the car,
was TO cut tire. By getting his OPP
ponent into a STOPPING position, over
the damaged wheel, it would be easier
: to overcome him. But a haSty search
revealed that he had lost his knife in
the melee. And second thought gave
him better plan. After all, to get
the letter was not everything. To
know It's destination would be impor-
tant. He had no time to think fur
Their. The messenger was coming
down the steps, not stealthily. but clat-
tering. with the ring Of nails In the
heels of heavy boots.
Milky flung his long length into the
tonneau. and there crouched. 1t was
dark enough TO conceal him, but Nix
ky's was large body in a small place.
However, the chauffeur only glanced
at the car, kicked a tire with a prac-
ticed foot, and got in.
He headed for the open country.
Very soon his passenger knew that he
was in for long ride possibly, a cold
ride certainly. Within the city limits
the car moved deeorously, but when
the suburbs were reached. the driver
put on all his power. He drove care
fully, too, as one who must make haste
but cannot afford accident.
Milky grew very uncomfortable.