The San Francisco call., 1901-12-08
8fOaRAIJS - IHEz L65VE BEHINE
u IHE THRONE pr.u4 nupursaorBaoa

IN land far beyond the reach of help
from home One circumstance puzzled
them with its damning mystery-how
came the blood stains upon the door
Knob? Dangloss courteously discussed
tnls strange and unfortunate feature
with them, but with ill-concealed Skep
ticism. 1t was evident that his mind was
clear in regard to the whole affair.
Anguish was of the opinion that the
real murderer had stained the knob in
tenuonally, aiming to cast suspicion on
the man who had been challenged.
The assassin had an object in
leaving those coAvicting finger-mar
where they would do the most dam
age. He either desired the arrest
and death of the American or hoped
that his own guilt might escape atten-
ton through the misleading evidence.
Lorry held, from his deductions, that the
CRIME had been committed by a fanatic
VINO loved his sovereign too devotedly to
see her welded to Lorenz. Then why
should he wantonly cast guilt upon the
man who had been her protector, object
ed Dangloss
Ihe police guards came in from the
MOTEL about 10 o'clock, bearing marks of
an ugly conflict with the AXphainians.
They reported that the avengers had been
Guelled for the time being. but that
oeprtauon had already started for the
caStIe 10 lay the matter before the Prin-
cess. Officers had searched the rooms CT
the Americans for blood stains, but had
found no sign Of them
Did you find bloody water in which
hands had been washed?" asked Anguish.
NO, responded one of the guards.
There was nothing to be found in the
boWls and Jars except soapy water. There
Is not blood stain in the room, captain"
That shakes your theory a little, eh?"
cried Anguish, triumphantly. Examine
Mr. Lorry's hands and see if there is
blood upon them" Lorry's hands were
white and uncontaminated. DanglosS
wore a pucker on his brow
Shortly afterward a crowd of Axphain
men came to the prison gates and de-
nanded the person of Grenfall Lorry, de-
parting after an ugly show of rage Gu
rious Edelweiss citizens stood afar off,
watching the walls and windows eagerly.
This may cost Edelweiss a great deal
OF trouble, gentlemen, but there is more
happiness here this morning than the city
has known in months. Everybody be-
lieves. you killed him, Mr.. Lorry, but they
all love you for the Decd" said DanglosS,
returning at noon from visit to the ho-
tel and ride through the streets. "The
Princes friends have been at the castle,
since o'clock, and I am Of the opinion
High Priestess''
God bless herr cried Lorry.
The town is crazy with excitement.
Messengers have been sent to old Prince
BolaroZ to inform him of the murder and
to urge him to hasten hither, where he
may fully enjoy the vengeance that is to
be wreaked upon his sons slayer. 1 have
not seen a wilder time in Edel-
weiss since the close of the siege,
fifteen years ago. BY my soul,
you are in a bad box, sir They are lurk-
ing in every part of town to kill you If
you attempt to leave the Tower before
the Princess signs an order to restrain
you legally. Your life, outside these
walls, would not be worth a snap of the
fingers"
Captain Quinnox of the Princess body
guard, accompanied by a half dozen of
his men, rode up to the prison gates
about o'clock and was promptly admit
ted. The young captain was in sore dis
tress.
1.-THE Duke of Mizrox has sworn that
you are the murderer, Mr.. Lorry, and
stakes his life" said he after greetings.
Her Highness has just placed in my
hands an order for your arrest as the as
sassin of Prince Lorenz.''
Lorry turned as pale as death. you
you don't mean to say that she has signed
q warrant-that she believes me guilty"
he cried, aghast.
"She has signed the warrant, but very
much against her inclination. Count
Halfont informed me that she pleaded and
argued with the Duke for hours, seeking
to avert the act which is bound to give
pain to all Of us. He was obdurate, and
threatened to carry complaint to Bolaroz,
who would instantly demand satisfaction.
AS the Duke is willing to die If you are
proved innocent there was no other course
left for her than to dictate and sign this
royal decree. Captain Dangloss, am in
structed to give you these papers. One
is the warrant for Mr.. Lorry's arrest, the
other orders you to assume charge Of
him and to place him in confinement un-
til the day of trial"
While Quinnox was making this state
ment the accused stood with bowed head
and throbless heart. He did not see the
captains hand tremble as he passed the
documents to Dangloss, nor did he hear
the unhappy sigh that came from the lat
ter's lips Anguish, fiery and impulsive,
was not to be subdued.
"Is there no warrant for my arrest?"
he demanded.
There is not. You are at liberty to go,
sir responded Quinnox.
I'D like to know why there isn't. 1
am just as guilty as Lorry.'
1.-The Duke charges the crime to but
one of you Baron Dangloss, will you
read the warrant?"
The old Chief read the decree Of the
Princess slowly and impressively. 1t was
as follows:
"Jacot. Duke of Mizrox, before his God
and his life swears that Grenfan
: Lorry did foully, maliciously and de-
slgnedly slay Lorenz, Prince of Ak
phain. on the 2Oth day of October, in the
year of our Lord 1s9-, and in the city
of Edelweiss, .Graustark. It is therefore
my decree that Grenfall Lorry be declared
murderer of Lorenz, Prince of Axphain,
until he be proved innocent, in which jim
stance his accuser, Jacot, Duke of Mizrox,
shall forfeit his life, according to the law
of this land providing penalty for false
witness, and by which he himself has
sworn to abide faithfully.
Signed: Yetive."
There was silence for some moments,
broken by the dreary tones of the ac-
cused.
what chance have I to prove my in
nocence?" he asked, hopelessly.
''The same opportunity that he has to