The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-29

Il have been standing on this spot for an
hour. You have been very much excited,
I'll agree, but it is strange you did not see
me-" lied Quinnox.
Gabriel look about helplessly. non
plussed.
You were here when I came in?" he
asked. wonderingly.
"Ask her Majesty commanded the cap
tain, smiling.
Captain Quinnox brought the prisoner
to me an hour ago." she said, mechani-
cally.
ut is a lie!" cried Gabriel. H was not
here when 1 entered!"
The captain of the guard laid a heavy
hand on the shoulder of the prince and
said, threateningly:
Il was here and I am here. Have a care
how you speak. Were 1 to do right 1 should
shoot you Xix a dog. You came like a
thief, you insult the ruler Of my land. 1
have borne it all because you are a prince.
but have a ~care-have a care. 1 may forget
myself and tear out your black heart with
these hands. One word from her highness
will be your death warrant"
He looked inquiringly at the princess as
IL anxious to put the dangerous witness
where he could tell no tales. She shook
her head, but did not speak. Lorry realized
that the time had come for him to assert
himself. Assuming a distressed air he
bowed his head and said, dejectedly:
MY pleading has been in vain, then.
your highness. I have sworn to you that l
am innocent of this murder, and you have
said L shall have a fair trial. That is all
you can ~offer?"
Tha is ALL" she said, shrilly, her mind
gradually grasping his meaning.
You will not punish the poor people who
secreted me in their house for weeks. for
they are convinced of my innocence. Your
captain here, who found me in their house
tonight, can also speak well of them. 7
have only this request to make, in return
for what little service 1 may have given
you: Forgive the old people who be-
friended me. 1 am ready to go to the Tow
err at once, captain"
Gabriel heard this speech with a skepticaI
smile on his face.
L am no fool" he said, simply. Cap
TAIN" shrewdly turning to Quinnox. eff he
is your prisoner, why do you permit him to
retain his revolver"
The conspirators were taken by surprise.
but Lorry had found his wits.
1T is folly, your highness, to allow this
gentleman and conquering prince to cross
examine you. l am a prisoner and that IS
the end of it. What odds is it to the Prince
or Dawsbergen how n where I was
caught or why your officer brought me to
you?"
"You were ordered from my house once
TODAY vet Won coma aooio Al
queror. l should not spare you. You deserve
to lose your life for the actions of Tonight
Captain Quinnox, will you kill him If I ask
you to end his wretched life?" Yetivs,s
eyes were blazing with wrath, beneath
which CLEANED a hope that he could be
frightened into silence.
Wlllngly-willlngly!" cried Quinnox.
Now, your highness? 'Twere better In the
nallI'
For Gods sake, do not murder me, Let
me go!" cringed the prince.
Il do not mean that you should XIII him
now, Quinnox. but 1 instruct YOU to do so
if he puts foot inside these walls again.
Do you understand"
Yes, your highness."
Then you will place this prisoner IN tbe
castle dungeon until tomorrow morning
when he is TO be taken TO the Towar
Prince Gabriel may you to the
dungeon cell, If he likes, after which Won
will escort him to the gates. If he enters
them again you are to kill him. Take them
both away"
Your highness, 1 must ask you to write
a pardon for the good people in whose
house the prisoner was found" suggested
Quinnox, shrewdly seeing a chance for
communication unsupported by the prince.
"A moment, your h~ighness," said the
prince, who had recovered himself cleverlv.
Il appreciate your position. l have made a
serious charge, and I now have q fair
proposition to suggest to you. If this man
is not produced tomorrow morning / take
it for granted that l am at liberty to tell
all that has happened in this room tonight.
If he is produced, I shall kneel and beg
your pardon"
The princess turned paler than ever and
knew not how she kept from falling To the
floor. There was a long silence following
Gabriers unexpected but fair suggestion.
That is very fair. your highness." said
Lorry. There is no reason why 1 should
not be a prisoner tomorrow. l don't see how
I can hope 10 escape the inevitable. Your
dungeon is strong and have given nv
word of honor 10 the captain that I shau
make no further effort TO evade the law"