The San Francisco call., 1901-12-08

stant, his usually red face changing from
white to purple, his anxious eyes dartinS
first toward the group above and then
toward the bewildered Americans.
What's the matter?" demanded Lory.
There! See!" cried Dangloss, and even
as he spoke conflict began at the head
of the stairs. the police, augmented by
a few soldiers, struggling against howl
ing. enraged mass of AXphainians. Dan-
gloss dragged his reluctant charges
through a small door, and they found
themselves in the bagga age-room of the
hotel Despite their queries. he offered no
explanation but rushed them along, pass
ing out of the opposite door. down a short
stairway and into a side street. A half
dozen police guards were awaiting then
and before they could catch the faintest
idea of what it all meant they were rum
ming with the officers through an alley
if pursued by demons.
Now, what in thunder does this
mean? painted Lorry, attempting to
slacken the pace. He and Anguish were
just beginning to regain their senses.
do not stop! Do not stop' wheeled
Dangloss. You must get to a pace of
safety We cannot prevent something
dreadful happening if you are caught"
IF we ale caught cried Anguish.
why, what have we Gone?'
''Unhand me, Baron Dangloss! This is
an outraged" shouted Lorry.
For Gods sake, be calm! We are be-
friending you. When we reach the Tower,
where you will be safe, [ shall explain"
gasped the painting Chief of Police. A
few moments later they were inside the
prison gates, angry, impatient, faugued.
is this plan to prevent the duel?' de-
manded Lorry turning upon the Chief, who
had dropped Imply Into a chair and was
Io
his breath enough to answer, Dangloss
did so, and he might as well have thrown
bombshell at their feet.
"Therell be no duel. Prince Lorentz is
dead!''
''Dead?' gasped the others
Found dead in his bed, stabbed to the
hearth exclaimed the Chief. I'VE have
saved you from his friends, gentlemen,
but l must say that you are still in
tight place"
He then related to them the whole story.
Just before o'clock Mizrox had gone to
the Princes room to prepare him for the
duel. The door was closed but unlocked,
as he found after repeated knockings.
Lorenz was lying on the bed. undressed
and covered with blood. The horritied
duke made hasty examination and found
that he was dead. a dagger had been
driven to his heart as he slept. The hotel
was aroused the police called and the
excitement was at its highest pitch when
the two friends came from their room .
few minutes after 6.
But what have we to do with this
dreadful affair? Why are we rushed off
mere like criminals?' asked Lorry, q feel
ing OF cruel gladness growing out of the
knowledge that LorenZ was dead and that
the Princess was freed from her compact.
My friend, said Dangloss, slowly you
are accused of the murder.
Lorry was too much stunned to he an
cry, too weak te protest For some mo-
ment after the blow fell he and Aneuis;,
were speeches.. Then came the protesta-
tfons, The rage and the threats, through
all OF which Dangloss sat calmly. FinaIh
he sought to quiet them, partially sue.
ceeding.
Mr. Lorry, the evi1ance is very strong
against you. but you snaH not be uniust-
~ treated. You are not a prisoner as vet
IN Graustark man who is accused of
murder and who was lot seen by any one
TO commit the crime cannot be legally ar
rested until an accuse- shall go before the,
Princess, who is also high priestess. and
swear. on his life that he knows the guilty.
man. The man who 81 accuses agrees to
forfeit his own life n case the other is
proved innocent. If you are to be charged
must go before the Princess and take oath
his life against yours. I am holding you
here, sir, because it IS the only place IN
which you are safe. Lorenz's friends would
have torn you to pieces had we not found
you first. You are net prisoners, and you
may depart if you think it wise
But, my God, how can they accuse me?
l knew nothing of the murder until 7
reached this place. cried Lorry, stopping
short in mis- restless walk before the little
Baron.
IF you accuse me, camn you, I'll kill
you" whispered Lorry holding himself
tense. Anguish caught and held him.
BE calm, sir" cautioned Dangloss. II
may have my views, pIit I am not willing
to take oath before her Majasty Listen:
You were heard to say you would kill
him; you began the fight; you were the
aggressor, and there is no one else Oil
earth, it is said who could have wished
to murder him. The man who did the
stabbing entered the room through Il {
hall door and eft by the same. There are
drops of blood in the carpet leading Iii!
rect to your door. Oh your knob are the
prints Of bloody fingers where you-or
some one else-placed his hand in open
ing the door. II was this discovery, r1ada
by me and my men. that fully convinced
the enraged friends of the dead Prince
that you were guilty. When we opened
the door you were gone. Then came the
search. the fight at the head of the stairs
and the race to the prison. The reason
1 saved you from that mob should be
plain to you. I love my Princess, and 1
do not forget that yor rsked your life
each Of you-to protect her. L have done
ali that 1 can, gentlemen, to protect yoil
in return. 1t means death to you If you
fall into the hands of Els followers just
now. A few nours will cool them off, no
doubt, but nownow il would be madness
to face them. know not what they
have done to my men at the hotel-pe1-
haps butchered them -
There was anxiety in Dangloss' voice
and there was honesty in his keen old
eyes. His charges nov saw the situation
clearly and apologized warmly for the
words they had uttered under the pres
sure of somewhat cxtenuating crcum-
stances. They expressed a Willingness to
remain in the prison Until the excitement
abated or until some cne swore his life
against the supposed murderer. They
were virtually prisoners, and they knew
it well. Furthermore, they could see that
Baron Dangloss believed Lorry guilty of
the murder; protestauons Of innocence