Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-14
ing for them in a side street at
opoIooly

evluenceS OF cOHIuOuOn III Tue uotei
and were apprehensive lest the In
mates had learned Of the duel and
were making ready to follow the fight
ers to the appointed spot. There was
confusion of voices, the sound Of rush.
ing feet, the banging Of doors, the
noise increasing as the two men
stepped into the open hall. They were
amazed to see half dressed men and
women standing or running about the
halls, intense excitement in their faces
and In their actions. White uniformed
policemen were tlocking into the corri.
dors. Soldiers. coatlcss and hatless,
fresh from their beds. came dashing
upon the scene. There were excited
cries. angry shouts and. more mystify-
Ing than all. Mortified looks and whis-
pers.
What has happenedY asked Lorry,
stopping near the door.
1T can't Ike fire. Look! The door to
that room down there seems to be the
center of attraction. Hold on! Don't
go over there. Lorry. There may be
something to uunerve you, and that
must not happen now. Let us go down
this stairway. 1t leads to a side en-
trance, l think" They were half way
down the stairs when the thunder Of
rushing feet in the hall above came to
their ears. causing them to hesitate be.
tween curiosity and good judgment.
"They are coming this way"
"Hear them howl! What the devil
can be the cause Of all this rumpusT'
cried the other.
At that instant q half dozen police
guards appeared at the head Of the
stairs. Upon seeing the Americans
they stopped and turned as If to oppose
a foe approaching from the opposite d.
rection. Baron Dangloss separated
himself from the white coats above
and called to the men below. In alarm
they started for the street door. He
was with them in an instant, his usu-
ally red face changing from white to
purple. his anxious eyes darting first
toward the group above and then to-
ward the bewildcred Americans.
whats the matterT demanded Lor-
ry.
There! Seew cried Dangloss, and
even as he spoke conflict began at
the head of the stairs, the police, aug
mented by few soldiers, struggling
against bowling, enraged mass Of
Axphainians. Dangloss dragged his re-
luctant charges through a small door,
and they found themselves in the bag
gage room Of the hote.. Despite their
queries he offered no explanation, but
rushed them along, passing out OF the
opposite door, down a short stairway
and into q side street. A half dozen
police guards were awaiting them. and
before they could catch the faintest
idea Of what it all meant they were
running with the officers through an
alley as 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" wheezed
Dangloss. "You must get to place Of
safety. We cannot prevent something
dreadful happening If you are caught"
"If we are caught" cried Anguish.
"Why. what have we done|
"Unhand me, Baron Dangloss. This
Is an outragew 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, 1mpa-
tient, fatigued.
"Is this plan to prevent the duel"
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
Bwer, Dangloss did so, and he might as
we'll have thrown bombshell at their
feet.
"There'll be no duel. Prince Lorenz
is deadw
"Deadw gasped 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"
He then related to them the whole
story. Just before G 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 hasty eX-
animation and found that he was dead.
A dagger had been driven to his heart
as 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
of here like criminalsW asked Lorry,
a 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. LorV. the evidence is very
strong against you. but you shall not
be un3ustty treated. You are not a
prisoner as yet. In Graustark a man
who Is accused Of murder and who was
not seen By any one 20 commit the
crime cannot be legally arrested unit
an accuser shall 80 before the princess
who is also high priestesS and sweal
on his life that he knows the guilty
man. The man who SO accuses agrees
to forfeit his own life In case the othel
Is proved innocent II you are to bt
charged with the murder Of the prince
some one must 90 before the princess
and take oath-his life against yours.
am holding you here, sir, because 1t II
the only place in which you are safe
Lorenz's friends would have torn yor
to pieces had we not found you hrst
You are not prisoners, and you may De
part If you think it WISE"