The San Francisco call., 1901-12-29
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l% IL By GR M GuTcHHoNseZls@

her maligner's life, but courage deserted
her with the act. Helplessly she looked
into the blazing eyes Of her lover and
faltered:
IL do not know what to say or do.
My brain is bursting.'
Courage, courage!" he whispered gen.
You shall pay for this!'' shrieked Ga
briel. IF sou are not a prisoner you shall
be. Therell be scandal enough in Grau-
stark tomorrow to start a volcano of
wrath from the royal tombs where lie her
fathers. I'll see that you are q prisoner
He started for the door, but Lorry's pis-
tol was leveled at his head.
''If you move I'll kill your
'"The world will understand how and
why fell by your hand and in this room
ShOot!' he cried, triumphantly.
Lorry's hand trembled and his eyes
filled with the tears Of impotent rage. The
Prince held the higher card.
A face suddenly appeared at the door,
which had been stealthily opened from
without. Captain Quinnox glided into the
room behind the Prince and gently closed
the door, unnoticed by the gloater.
"A prisoner?' sneered Gabriel. where
is your captor pray?"
Here answered 4 voice at his back.
The Prince wheeled and found himself
ACofAAlAs5 dN Alt6 SNdlM dLl lOIIl Ol lIe cap
tain of the guard. 81 am surely privileged
to speak now, your Highness," he went
on, addressing the Princess significantly
How came you here?" gasped Gabriel.
I brought my prisoner here. Where
should l be if not here to guard him?"
''When-when did you enter this
room?''
AN hour ago.
You were not here when I camel"
Il have been standing on this spot for
an hour You have been very much ex-
cited, I'll agree, but it is strange you did
not see me-" lied Quinnox.
Gabriel looked about helplessly, non
plused.
You were here when I came in?" he
asked. wonderingly.
ASK her Majesty commanded the
captain, smiling.
Captain Quinnox brought the prisoner
to me an hour ago." she said, mechanic
ally.
1T is a liei'' cried Gabriel He was
not here when ] 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
care how you speak. Were [ TO do right
l should shoot you like a dog You came
like a thief, you insult the ruler of my
land I have borne it all because you are
a Prince, but have a care-have A care
L 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 if anxious to put the dangerous wit
ness 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, defect
edly:
MY pleading has been in vain, then.
my Highness. 1 have sworn to you that
| am innocent of this murder, and You
have said l shall have a fair trial That
is all you can offer?"
That is ALL" she said, shrilIy. 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 have only this request to make
in return for what little service I NAV
have given you: Forgive the old people
who befriended me. l am ready to 90 to
the tower at once, captain"
Gabriel heard this speech with a skep-
tical smile on his face.
i am no fool he said. simply. Gap
tain shrewdly turning to Quinnox, '.if
he is your prisoner, why do you permit
him to retain his revolver?''
The consDirators were taken by sur
prise, but Lorry had found his wits.
1t is folly, your Highness. to allow
this gentleman and conquering Prince to
cross-examine you. 1 am a prisoner. and
that is the end Of it. What odds is it to
the Prince Of Dawsbergen how and where
1 was caught or why your officer brought
me 10 you?'
you We're ordered from my house once
to-day, yet you come again like con-
qUerOr. I should not spare you You de-
serve to lose your life for the actions of
tonight Captain Quinnox, will you Kill
him if l ask you to end his wretched
life" Yetive's eyes were blazing with
wrath. beneath which cleaned a hope
that he could be frightened into silence.
''Willingly-wiIlingly! cried Quinnox
Now, your Highness? 'Twere better in
the hall"'
For Gods sake, do not murder me!