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

His companion starteu. NlDurg,
he said. "Then--" He glanced at the
letter he held. ave must fnd some
one else" he muttered. II lever
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
ly walk, and was still trembling with
excitement when l met him."
The man touched bell. '@Tell his
majesty" he said to the servant who
appeared, 4'that his messenger is here"
The servant bowed and withdrew.
Milky found the wait that followed
trying. He thought Fl Redwig, 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 a cOmpara-
lively gracious mood. He had been
drinking, but he WAS not fntoxi-
Gated. He was slightly flushed, his
ewes were abnornaily bright. He
looked, for the mement, rather
amiable. Milky was to learn, later on.
how easily his smile hardened to q
terrifying grin.
He ignored Nikky's companion. "You
brought letter."
Milky bowed, and the other man
held it out. Karl took It.
THE trip was uneventfulT
eyes, SIRE"
"a bad night for it," Karl observed.
and glanced at the letter In his hand.
"Was there any difficulty at the
frontier?"
"None, SIRE"
Karl tore the end OFF the envelope,
'sYou will remain here tonight" he
said. tomorrow morning shall send
dispatches to the city. hope you have
petrol. These fellows here" He did
not complete the sentence. He in
serted two royal fingers into the en-
velope and drew out-Nikky's cigar
cite papers
For moment there was complete
silence In the room. Kari turned the
papers over.
1t was then that his face hardened
into horrible grin. He looked up
raising his head slowly.
"What is this?" he demanded, very
quietly.
1.-THE letter, sire" said Milky. %-"
"The letterl Do you caR these
letter."
Milky drew himself up. 81 have
brought the envelope. which was given
me- ~
without word Karl held out papers
and envelope to the other man, who
took them. Then he turned to Milky,
and now he raised his voice. "Where
did you get this-hoax p he demanded
"At the cathedral, from the man nj.
burg"
"YOu liel" said Karl. Then, for q
moment, he left Milky and turned on
his companion in fury. He let his
royal rage beat on that unlucky In
dividual while the agent stood, white
and still. Not until it was over, and
Karl, spent with passion, was pacing
the floor, did Milky venture a word.
eff this Is not what your majesty
expected" he said, "there is perhaps
an explanation"
Karl wheeled on him. "Explana'
tioni"
"The man Niburg was attacked,
early last evening, by three men. They
beat him badly, and attempted to rob
him. His story to me, sire. He be.
Heved that they were after the letter,
but that he had preserved 1t. 1t is, Of
course, possibility that, while he lay
stunned, they substituted another en-
Yelope for the one he carried"
Karl tore the envelope from the
agents hands and inspected it care
fully. Evidently, as with the agent,
the story started new train OF
thought. Milky drew a long breath.
After all, there was still hope that the
early morning shooting would have an
other target than himself.
Karl sat down, and his face relaxed
1t was stern, but NO longer horrible.
Tel me this Niburg's story" he COM
manded.
HE was walking through the old
city" Milky commenced, when three
men fell on him. One, large one,
Knocked him insensible and then went
through his pockets. The others
"Strange" said Karl. "f he was
insensible, how does he know all thisT
cit was his story. sire" Milky ex'
planned. But he colored. "a eOna'
panion. who was with hinn, ran away"
This companion" Kari Querted
a EN-