ert was sitting forward on the edge of his chair; his jaw
dropped. "And what then?" he gasped. "He was but a boy. Perhaps you
misjudged him. Boys are reckless."

"I caught him," said the concierge. "I have said it. He knew much. He
had names, places, even dates. For that matter; he confessed."

"Then he is dead?" quavered old Adelbert.

The concierge shrugged his shoulders. "Of course," he said briefly. "For
a time he was kept here, in an upper room. He could have saved himself,
if he would. We could have used him. But he turned sulky, refused
speech, did not eat. When he was taken away," he added with unction,
"he was so weak that he could not walk." He rose and consulted a
great silver watch. "We can go now," he said. "The Committee likes
promptness."

They left together, the one striding out with long steps that were
surprisingly light for his size, the other, hanging back a trifle, as
one who walks because he must. Old Adelbert, who had loved his King
better than his country, was a lagging "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 Adelbert quickened his steps.

At the edge of the Place, near the statue of the Queen, they took a car,
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.

At last the leader paused, and surveyed his surroundings: "Here I must
cover your eyes, comrade," he said. "It is a formality all must comply
with."

Old Adelbert drew back. "I do not like your rule. I am not as other men.
I must see where I go."

"I shall lead you carefully. And, if you fear, I can carry you." He
chuckled at the thought. But old Adelbert knew well that he could do it,
knew that he was as a child to those mighty arms. He submitted to the
bandage, however, with an ill grace that caused the concierge to smile.

"It hurts your dignity, eh, old rooster!" he said jovially. "Others, of
greater dignity, have felt the same. But all submit in the end."

He piloted the veteran among the graves with the ea