The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-07-22

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"I'here! See!' cried Dangloss, and
even as he spoke a conflict began al
the head of the stairs, the police, aug
mented by a few soldiers, struggling
against q bowling, enraged mass Of
AEphainians. Dangloss dragged his re-
luctant charges through a small door,
and they found themselves in the bag
gage room Of the hotel. Despite their
! queries he offered no explanation, but
rushed them along, passing out Of the
opposite door, down a short stairway
and into side street. 4 half dozen
police guards were awaiting them, and
before they could catch the faintest
idea OF what It all meant they We're
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. BE 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 caughtv
'If we are caughtw cried Anguish
"Why, what have we done?'
"Unhand me, Baron Dangloss. This
is an outragey' shouted Lorry.
For heavens sake, be calm! We are
befriending you. When we reach the
tower, where you wilh be safe, shall
explain" gasped the painting chief Of
police. A few moments later they We're
inside the prison gates, angry, tmpa-
tent, fatigued.
"Is this plan to prevent the duel?'
demanded Lorry, turning upon the
chief, who had dropped Imply into a
chair and was mopping his brow. When
he could find his breath enough to an
swer, Dangloss did so, and he might as
we'll have thrown a bombshell at their
feet
sThere'll be no duel Prince Lorenz
is deadw
"Deadw gasped the others.
"Found dead in his bed, stabbed to
the hearty' exclaimed the chief. 1--WE
have saved you from his friends, gen
tlemen, but I must say that you are
still in a tight place"
He then related to them the whole
story. Just before o'clock Mizrox had
gone to the princes room to prepare
hir1 for the duel The door was closed,
but unlocked, as he found after repeat
ed knockingzzsss e spSsssS lying on the
bed, undressed Ssss SVlth olooo-
The Mortified duke mtesssssA8hasty ex-
animation and found that Ge'assas dead.
a dagger had been driven to his-aeart
as he slept. The hotel was aroused, tbs
police were called, and the excitement
was at it's 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 LOFTY,
feeling Of cruel gladness growing out
Of the knowledge that Lorenz was dead
| and that the princess was freed from
her compact.
"Aly 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 speeches.. Then came
the protestations, the rage and the
threats, through all Of which Dangloss
sat calmly Finally he sought to quiet
them, partially succeeding.
t.Ir. Lorry, the evidence is very
strong against you, but you shall not
be unjustly 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 to commit the
crime cannot be legally arrested until
an accuser shall so 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 90 before the princess
and take oath-his life against yours. L
am holding you here, Sir, because it is
the only place in which you are safe.
Lorenz'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? l
knew nothing of the murder until I
reached this place." cried Lorry, stop
ping short in his restless walk before
the little baron.
$50 you say, butt
"If you accuse me, III kill your
whispered Lorry, holding himself tense.
Anguish caught and held him.
"Be calm, SIR cautioned Dangloss.
81 may have my views, but I am not
willing to take oath before her royal
highness. Listen: You were 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 stabbing entered
the room through the hall door and
left by the same. There are drops Of
blood in 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 cnraged 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 l 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 l have done all
that can, gentlemen, to protect you
in return. It means death to you If
you fall into the hands of his followers
lust now. \ few hours will cool them
of no doubt, but now-now 1t would be
rnoGnass IN face them ! know not