The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-06-14
~ or 7H44 TFs 70
CHAPTER Y.

cells OF the tower the noble Duke de
l5ridgenor'h paced slowly to and fro, a
prisoner. l3lsaag7a 'aii 8 @"Ia i1a '.''
Ills couatonancc was pale, and his fault
less figure ind grown cmaciated; for the
narrow limits of his cell, together with the
gloom which invested it, we're not calcula-
ted to bring color to the check or round
ness to tho limb ilgl1 ldi d. .iilF
Nearly two weeks had passed since tins
duungeop-ynult had held its new inmate,
aud during that period tile prisoner. had
not bclc!d any face save the jailor's, who
brought him his coarse, scantyfood % y
Why chad been imprisoned here was
a mystery TO the duke. for the two officers
Of the law WHO had taken him so sunima.
rily frcm lis lodgings on the evening Of
that transaction at the Doar's Head Inn
but of which he wasin profound ignorance
bad, at first. requested him to accon +.
panythcm short distance; then sud-
denly showing him kcrchicf stained with
blood, aud bearing his own name engraved
upon it, the duke realized that some
fearful crime bad been committed. the
charge Of which, in some incomprchcnsi-
blo manner, was laid at his door. 4,i
Ills recognition Of tho handkerchief,
and evident agitation, tho officers had con-
strasd into evidence Of his guilt; and
when he afterwards afjured them to OK
plain TO him their conduct, threatening to
complain Of their acts. while the carriage
rolled towards the tower, they only re-
piled: y" q
ta"Thou art a good actor, my fine gen.
tlcman, but We might as well tell thee
now that thy professed ignorance Of this
crime with which thou art charged will be
of no avail. When we have fastened thee
securely within a good stout prison wall,
then thou wilt find time to repent what
thou hast done this evening"
Again the duke sought to probe the Off.
GERS language. and he said, as they were
coming nigh to the prison, and he real
lied the fact, and was determined to know
what had brought him hithcr:
cor truth, good gentleman. | am at
q loss TO know why you lave forced your
self into my presence, and af:erward
brought me here. Tell Inc the crime
with which | am charged. SO that can at
once clear myself from the slightest impu-
tation which now rests upon me for |
solemnly swear TO you that have COM
mitted no crimc.D 5a H.. &.
Ills Of no further use for your high.
ness 70 play tic innocent victim any
longer; and since thou hast taken to re-
naming quiet about this wicked and
terrible decd, then I and my brother officer
will do the same, following your highness'
goodly example" said tho man, with q
coarse laugh Of derision. 20 .
The Duke de Brilgenorth perceived
that lie should gain no intelligence from
the two men, and SO he for the lime re-
signed himself to the fate from which he
could not escape; a few moments later he
liad crossed tue prison yard, and tleu tho
outer portal, til he was lodged securely
within tie gloomy cell where we nov be-
hold hin. = a'ff a'N 's+ hs 4 .'f
During this period Of his Imprisonment
the duke was growing thin, and van, and
spirited. for as yet lie could not ascer-
tain why no had been brought thitlcr,
and SO, MS no visitor came, was forced to
be passive and submissive for the tine
but while he remained thus it had been
whispered among his London friends that
Duke dc Bridgeno-th had suddenly taken
his departure from the city and returned
to his native country France.
This story had been set aaoat by the
articles Of Lord Dunbarton, who after
that attempt at the murder Of George
Whitaker, had been forced to spend much
Of his time within his own mansion, for
though this wicked lord had hired stout
handed wretch to do tho deed, yc! he had
in thick disguise, accompanied the man to
the inn, anil when George Whitaker had
made n strong resistance, then both lord
Dunbarton and Monsieur DaIgarno had
rushed III upon the landlord, and would
have aided further ia the comnliial Of the
crime but for tie timely arrival Of tic
guests and neiglbors, who had been at.
tracted by George Whi,aker's loudly ut.
tered cries.
But it Glanced that Lord Dunbarton
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