The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-01-01

each other for the first time since their
imprisonn emit The clasp of the hand
which Sandorf and his friend inter-
changed us they met, gave yet another
proof of their uuanimity. \ sign from
Zathmar, and Batnory gave Sandorf to
understand that they left him to speak
for them. Ne ther would undertake
the defence. ALI Sandorf had done up
till then had been we'll done. All that
he thought fit to say to the judges
would be we'll said. The hearing was q
public one. But few persons were
present, for the affair had not yet
trauspired; and the spec ators, some
twenty in number, belonged to the
staff of the castle.
The identity of the accused was first
proved. Then, immediately afterwards,
Sandorf asked the president the name of
the place which he and his companions
IL been bro1~ht fol .'ia!, III. ac rop4y
was given to the question.
The identity OF Snrcany was likewise
established. He still did nothing to
distinguish his case from that of his
companions.
Then the fac smile of the message
handed over to the police was produced,
and the accused were asked if they re-
membered receiving the original. They
replied that it Wa the duty of the prose-
cution to prove that they received it.
AT this reply the grating which had
been found in Zlthmar's desk was pro-
luced.
Sardorf and his companions could not
deny that the grating had been i'll. their
possession. They did not try to. To
such material evidence there was no re-
ply The application of the grating per-
mitted the cryptographic letter to be read,
and the letter must consequently have
been received.
And thus they learned how the secret
OF the conspiracy had been discovered
and the basis ON which the prosecution
was originated.
From this time forward question and
answer passed rapidly and clearly told
the story.
Sandorf denied nothing. He spoke
on behalf of his two friends. A move
ment intended to bring about the sepera-
ton Of Hungary from Austria and the
antonomic reconstruction of the kingdom
of the ancient Magyars had been organ
lied by them. Had they not been ar
rested it would shortly have broken out,
and Hungary would have reconquered
its independence Sandorf claimed to
be the chief of the conspiracy, and in
sisted that his fellow prisoners were
merely his agents. But Zathmar and
Bathory protested against this conten-
ton, and claimed the honor of having
been his accomplces and desired to
share his fate.
When the President interroeated the
prisoners as to their dealings with others
they refused to reply. Not name was
given.
"You have now three heads" said
Sandorf, land that must be enough for
YOU"
Three heads only. for Sandorf then
set himself to exculpating Sarcany, q
young clerk employed i'll Count Zath-
mars house on the recommendation of
Silas Toronthal.
Sarcany could not confirm what Sam
dorf stated. He knew nothing Of the
conspiracy He had been greatly sur
prised to learn that in this quiet house
on the Acquedotto plot was i'll progress
against the safety OF the State IF he
had made no protest when he was ar
rested it was because he had no idea
what it was all abont
Neither Count Sandorf nor Sarcanv
had any difficulty in proving this and
it is probable that the Court had already
made up his mind i'll the matter. At
the suggestion of the Judge Advocate
the charge against Sarcany was then
and there Abandoned.
BY two o'clock in the afternoon the
pleadings were all over and the sentence
was given without even an adjournment.
Count Matthias Sandorf, Count Lads s.
las Zathmar and Professor Stephen
Bathory were found guilty of high
treason against the State and sentenced
to death.
The prisoners were to be shot in the
courtyard of the castle
The execution was to take place with
in forty light hours. Sarcany was to be
kept in custody until the closing of the
Jail books, which would not take place
until after the execution of the sentence.
By the same Judgment all the possess
sions of the prisoners were contiscated.
The prisoners were then removed.
CHAPTER VIII
Sarcany was taken back to the cell he