Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-07-31
CHAPTER XVII.
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CHAPTER XVII.
IN THE TOWER.
TV HE two captives who were not
unexpected events of the morn
Ing that they did not realize the
vast seriousness Of the situation for
hours. Then it dawned upon them that
appearances were really against them
and that they were alone in a land far
beyond the reach of help from home.
One circumstance puzzled them with
Its damning mystery: How came the
blood stains upon the doorknob? DAN
gloss courteously discussed this strange
and unfortunate feature with them, but
with i'll concealed skepticism. 1t was
evident that his mind was clear in re-
gard to the whole affair.
Anguish was Of the opinion that the
real murderer had stained the knob in
tentionally, aiming to cast suspicion on
the man who had been challenged. The
assassin had an object in leaving those
convicing finger marks where they
would do the most damage. He either
desired the arrest and death Of the
American or hoped that his own guilt
might escape attention through the
misleading evidence. Lorry held, from
his deductions, that the crime had been
committed by a fanatic who. loved his
sovereign too devotedly to see her we'd
ded to Lorenz. Then why should he
wantonly cast guilt upon the man who
had been her protector, objected Dan
gloss.
The police guards came in from the
hotel about 10 o'clock, bearing marks
of an ugly conflict with the A1phaini-
ans. They reported that the avengers
had been quelled for the time being,
but that deputation had already
started for the castle to lay the matter
before the princess. Officers had
searched the rooms of the Americans
for blood stains, but had found no sign
of them.
"Did you find bloody water in which
hands had been washed?" asked An
guish.
"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 little,
eh?" cried Anguish triumphantly. eek
anime Mr.. Lorry's hands and see If
there is blood upon them" Lorry's
hands were white and uncontaminated.
Dangloss wore quicker on his brow.
Shortly afterward crowd of AK.
phain men came to the prison gates
and demanded the person of Grenfall
Lorry, departing after an ugly show OF
rage Curious Edelweiss citizens stood
afar off, watching the walls and win
dows eagerly.
This may cost Edelweiss a great
deal of trouble, gentlemen, but there is
more happiness here tEis morning than
The city has known in months. Every.
Jbdy believes you killed him, Mr.. Lor.
ry, but they all love you for the deed,''
said Dangloss, returning at noon from
visit to the hotel and ride through
the streets. "The princes friends have
been at the castle since o'clock, and
am Of the opinion that they are having
hard time with the high priestess."
God bless her!" 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 worked upon
his sons slayer. I have not seen q
wilder time in Edelweiss since the
close Of the siege, fifteen years ago
By my soul, you are in bad box, sir
They are lurking in every part of town
to kill you if you attempt to leave the
tower before the princess signs an or
der to restrain you legally. Your life
outside these walls would not be worth
snap Of the fingers"
Captain Quinnox Of the princess
bodyguard, accompanied by half doz.
en- Of his men, rode up to the prison
gates about o'clock and was prompt
~ admitted. The young captain was
in sore distress.
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
assassin Of Prince Lorenz."
Lorry turned us pale as death. "You
you don't mean to say that she has
signed 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 In
stantly 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
instructed to give you these papers.
| One is the warrant for Mr.. Lorry's ar
rest, the other orders you to assume
charge of him and to place him in con-
finement until 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 latter's lips. Anguish,
fiery and impulsive, was not to be sub.
dued.