Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-12-30


cover adequately. But the chauheur's
long fur ulster helped considerably.
The exchange was rather a ticlxlish
matter, and would have been more so
had he not found a revolver in the
fur coat pocket.
Behold, then, Milky Of the brave
heart standing over his PROSTATE pris-
oner and rolling him, mummy fashion,
in his own tunic and rug from the
machine.
at is cold, my friend" he said
briefly; "but / am kindly soul, and
If you have told me the truth. you win
not have so much as a shuttle to re-
mind you Of this tomorrow"
II have told the truth"
"As a soldier. of course" Milky
went on, 81 think you have made a
mistake. You should have chosen the
precipice. But as a private gentle
man, thank you"
Having examined the knots in the
rope, which were very well done, In
deed, and having gagged the chauffeur
securely, Milky prepared to 60. In his
goggles, with the low-visored cap. and
fur coat, he looked not unlike his late
companion. But he had jaunty step
as he walked toward the car, a bit OF
swagger that covered, perhaps, just
trifle Of uneasiness.
For Milky now knew hts destination,
knew that he was bound on perllous
work, and that the chances OF his re-
turning were about fifty-fifty, or rather
less. ~
He did not know his way. Over the
mountains it was plain enough, for
there was but one road. After he
descended into the. plain of Karnia,
however, 1t became difficult. Sign
posts were few and not explicit. But
at last he found the railroad. which
he knew well-that railroad without
objective, save as it would serve to
move troops toward the border. After
that Milky found 1t easier.
But, with his course assured, other
difficulties presented themselves. To
take the letter to those who would re-
ceive 1t was one thing. But to deliver
1t, with all that 1t might contain, was
another. He was not brilliant, was
Milky. Only brave and simple of
heart, and IMMERSED in the ways of
darkness.
If, now, he could open the letter and
remove 1t, substituting what
could he substitute? There were
cigarette papers In his pocket. Trust
Milky for that. But how to make the
exchanged
The engine was boiling hard, dull
roaring under the hood that threat
ened trouble. He drew up beside the
road and took off the water cap. Then
he whistled. Why, of counsel Had 1t
not been done from time immemorial
this steaming of letters? lie examined
it. Ii bore no discriminating seal.
He held the envelope over the water
cap, and was boyishly pleased to fee
the flap loosen. After all, things were
easy enough if one used ones brains
He rather regretted using almost al
of his cigarette papers, of course. HI
had perhaps, never heard of the droI
of nicotine on the tongue of dog.
AS for the letter itself, he put it
without even glancing at it, into his
cap, under the lining. Then he sealed
the envelope again and dried 1t agains
one of the lamps. 1t looked, he re
Elected, as good as new.
/ He was extremely pleased with him
/ self.
Before he returned to the machine
he consulted his watch. 1t was three
o'clock. True, the long early spring
night gave him four more hours OF
darkness. But the messenger was due
at three, at the hunting lodge in the
mountains which was his destination
lie would be, at the best, late by al
hour
On what the messenger had told hin
Milky hung his hope of success. This
was, briefly, that he should go TO the
| royal shooting box at Wedding, anC
! should go. not to the house itself, but
| to the gate keepers lodge. Here he
was to leave his machine, and tap al
the door. On its being opened, he was
to say nothing, but to give the letter
to him who opened the door. After
that he was to take the machine away
10 the capital. some sixty miles farther
I on.
! The message, then, was to the king
himself. For Milky, as all the world
knew that Karl, with some kindred
spirits, was at Wedding, shooting
That is, if the messenger told the
truth. Milky intended to find out. He
was nothing If not thorough.
When at last the lights of the lodge
| at the gate of Wedding cleaned out
through the trees, 1t was half-past
three, and wet spring snow was fall
/ ing softly. In an open place Milky
looked up The stars were gone.
+ The lodge now, and the gate keep
/ er's house. Nikky's heart hammered
as he left the car-hammered witt
nervousness, not terror. But he Went
boldly to the door, and knocked.
So far all was well. There were
footsteps within, and man stepped
nuf into tho do rI.nocS chasing fha don