Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-01-13


committee of ten, and impart the old
soldiers discovery. In the interval he
sat waiting, and nursing his grievances
TO keep them warm.
Black Humbert, waiting for the hour
20 start and filling his tankard repeat
eddy, grew loQuacious. He limited OF
past matters in which he had proved
his value to the cause. Old Adelbert
gathered that, if he bad not actually
murdered the late crown prince and
his wife, he had been closely con-
cerned in it. His thin, old flesh crept
with anxiety. 1t was a bad business,
and ne could not withdraw.
1--WE should have had the child, too,
boosted the concierge, land saved
much bother. But he had been, I'm.
known TO us, sent to the country. A
matter of milk, believe"
"But you say you do not war on
children"
Bah! A babe of a few months.
Furthermore" said the concierge, II
have a nose for the police. l SCENT
a spy, IS dog scents bone. Who,
think you, discovered Haeckel?
"Haeckeln Old Adelbert sat upright
in his chair.
"Aye, Haeckel. Haeckel the jovial,
the archconspirator Who but 1? ]
suspected him. He was too fierce. lie
had no caution. He was what a peace.
full citizen may fancy rcvolutionist
to be. | watched him. He was not
brave. He was reckless because he
had nothing to fear. And at last l
caught him."
Old Adelbert was sitting forward on
the edge Of his chair, his jaw dropped
and what thenY he gaspcd. "Ho
was but a boy. Perhaps YOU mis-
judged him. Boys are reckless"
81 caught him." said the concierge.
II have said it. He knew much. He
had names, places, even dates. For
! that matter, he confessed"
"Then he is dead?" Quavercd old
/ Adelbcrt.
The concierge shrugged his shout
ders. "Of course" he said briefly.
For a time ne was kept here, in an
upper room. He could have saved
himself, if he would. We could have
used him. But he turned Sulky, re-
fused speech, did not eat. When he
was taken away" he added with unc-
ton, she was so weak that he could
not walk" He rose and consulted
great silver watch. 1--WE can go now"
he said. "The committee likes prompt
ness"
They left together, the one striding
out with long steps that were sur
prisingly light for his size, the other,
hanging back u trihc, as one who walks
because he must Old Adelbert, who
had loved his king better than his
country, was tagging patriot" that
night. His breath came short and
labored. His throat was dry. AS they
passed the opera, however, he threw
his head up. The performance was
over, but the great house was still
lighted, and in the foyer strutting
about, was his successor. Old Adel-
bert quickened his steps.
At the edge Of the place, near the
and so reached the borders of the city.
After that they walked far. The scent
of the earth fresh turned by the
plough, was in their nOstrils. Cattle.
, turned out after the long winter,
grazed or lay in the fields. Through
the ooze of the road the two plodded (;
old Adelbert struggling through with
, difficulty, the concierge exhorting him
: impatiently to haste.
Al last the leader paused. and sur
j veyed his surroundings: "Here ]
a must cover your eyes, comrade," he
/ said, ut is a fornality all must CON-
= ply with"
j Old Adelbert drew back. 81 do not
like your rule. am not as other men,
+ Llnust see where ! 60"
u shall lead you carefully And, if
G You fea", J can carry you" Ho
y chucIled at the thought But old Abel
bert knew well that he could do it,
t knew that he was as q child to those
I 9iehty arms. He submitted to the
i Dandage, however, with an i'll grace
that caused the concierge to smile.
1T hurts your dignity, eh, old
Il rooster" lie said joyially. Others, of
: greater dignity have felt the same
o But all submit in the end"
Il He piloted the veteran among the
IL graves with the case of familiarity.
J. 0nly once he spoke. "Know you where
d you are?"
IN field" said Adelbert, recently
ploughed."
L aye, in field, right enough. But
It one which sows corruption, and raises
nothing, until perhaps great st. Ga
y brieI calls in his crop"
}, Then, realizing the meaning of the
Il mounds over which he trod, old Adel,
: bert crossed himself.
( "Only a handful know of this meet.
l. ing place" boosted the concierge. II
/ and few others. Only we may meet
5 with the committee face to face"
"You must have great influence" OBJ,
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