Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-25

"Unhand me, Baron Dnngloss. This
is an outrage" shouted Lorry.
"For heavens sake. be calm! We are
befriending 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, impa-
tient, fatigued.
as this plan to prevent the duelT"
demanded Lorry, turning upon the
chief, who had dropped Imply into a
chair and was hopping his brow. When
he could find his breath enough TO an
swer, Dangloss did So and he might as
we'll have thrown bombshell at their
feet.
"There'll be no duel. Prince Lorens
is dead!"
"Deadw gaspcd the others.
"Found dead in his bed, stabbed to
the hearth exclaimed the chief. I'VE
have saved you from his friends gen.
tlemen, but l must say that you are
still in tight place"
lie then related to them the whole
story. Just before 6 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 repeat
ed knockings. Lorenz was lying on the
bed, undressed and covered with blood.
The Mortified duke made n hasty ex-
animation and found that he was dead.
A dagger had been driven to his heart
az he slept. The hotel was aroused, the
police were called and the excitement
was at its highest pitch when the two
friends came from their room q few
minutes after 6.
But what have we to do with this
dreadful affair? Why are we rushed
off here like criminals!" asked Lorry,
n feeling 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 be
angry, too weak to protest. For some
moments after the blow fell he and
Anguish were speechless Then came
the protestations, the rage and the
threats. through all of which Dangloss
sat calmly Finally he sought to quiet
them. partially succeeding.
"Mr Lorry, the evidence is very
strong against you, but you shall not
be uniusty treated. You are DOT
prisoner as yet. In Graustark a man
who is accused of murder and who was
not seen by any one to commit the
crime cannot be legally arrested until
an accTser shall 90 before the princess.
who is also high priestess. and swear
on his life that he knows the guilty
man. The man who so accuses agrees
to forfeit his own life in case the other
is proved innocent. If you are to be
charged with the murder of the prince.
some one must go before the princess
and take oath--his life against yours.
am holding You here sir, because it is
the only place in which you are safe.
Lo1cnz's friends would have torn you
to pieces had we not found you first.
You are not prisoners, and you may de-
part if you think it wise"
but how can they accuse me?
knew nothing of the murder until
reached this place" cried Lorry, stop
ping short in his restless walk before
the little baron.
so you say. but
If you accuse me. I'll kill you"
whispered Lorry, holding himself tense
Anguish caught and held him.
BE calm, sir" cautioned Dangloss.
Il may have my views, but | am not
willing to take oath before her royal
hghness. Listen: You We're heard to
say you would kill him. You began
the fight. You were the aggressor, and
there is no one else on earth, it is said,
who could have wished TO murder him.
The man who did the stabbng entered
the room through the hall door and
left by the same. There are drops of
blood IL the carpet, leading direct to
Your door. ON your knob are the
prints of bloody fingers where you-
or some one else-placed his hand In
opening the door. 1t was this discov-
cry, made 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 | saved YOU
from that mob should be plain to you.
| love my princess. and ! do not for
get that you risked your life. each Of
YOU. to protect her. | have done all
that | can, gentlemen. 10 protect you
in return. 1t means death to you If
you fall into the hands of his followers
just now A few hours will cool them
off no doubt but now--now it would be
madness to face them. | know not
what they have done to my men at the
hotel-perhaps butchered them"
There was anxiety in Dangloss'
voice, and there was honesty in his
keen old eyes. His charges now saw
the situation clearly and apologized
warmly for the words they had ut
tered under the pressure of somewhat
eXtenuating circumstances. They ex-
pressed Willingness to remain in the
prison until the excitement abatcd or
until some one 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. Protestations of inno-
cence had been politely received and
politely disregarded.