Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-08-25


He looked inquiringly at the princess
MS if anxious to put the dangerous wit
ness where he could tell no tales She
shook her head, but did not speak.
Iorry realized that the time had come
for him to assert himself. Assuming a
distressed air, he bowed his head and
said dejectedly:
My pleading has been in vain, then,
Ycur highness. l have sworn to you
tlat / am innocent of this murder, and
you have said shall have a fair trial.
That is all you can offer?'
THAT is ALL" she said shrilly, her
mind gradually grasping his meaning.
"You will not punish the poor pco-
pie who secreted me in their house for
weeks, for they are convinced of my
innocence. Your captain here, who
found me in their house tonight, can
also speak we'll of them. have only
this request to make in return for what
little service l may have given you:
Forgive the old people who befriended
me. am ready to go to the tower at
once, captain"
Gabriel heard this speech with a
skeptical smile on his face.
Il am no fool" he said simply. "Cap-
TAIN" shrewdly turning to Quinnox,
"if he is your prisoner, why do you
permit him to retain his revolverY'
The conspirators were taken by sur
prise, but Lcrry had found his wits.
ut is folly, your highness, to allow
this gentleman and conuuering prince
to cross examine you. am prisoner,
and that is the end Of it. What odds
Is it to the Prince of Dawsbergen how
and where was caught or why your
officer brought me to you?"
you We're ordered from my house
once today, yet you come again like a
conqueror. l should not spare you.
You deserve to lose your life for the ac-
lions of tonight. Captain Quinnox, will
you kill him if ask you to end his
wretched life?" Yetive's eyes were
blazing with wrath, beneath which
cleaned hope that he could be fright
ened into silence.
Observation-Disclosures" cried Quin-
noX. Nov, your highness? 'Twere
better in the hall!'
"For Gods sake, do not murder me!
Let me go!' cringed the prince.
II do not mean that you should kill
him now, Quinnox, but instruct you
to do so If he puts foot inside these
walls again. Do you understand
Eyes, your highness."
"Then you will place this prisoner in
the castle dungeon until tomorrow
morning, when he is to be taken to the
tower. Prince Gabriel may accompa
ny you to the dungeon cell if he likes
after which you will escort him to the
i gates. If he enters them again, you are
to kill him. Take them both away"
"Your highness, must ask you tt
write pardon for the good people In
whose house the prisoner was found,
suggested Quinnox, shrewdly seeing 6
chance for communication unsupported
by the prince.
"a moment, your highness," said the
prince, who had recovered himself
cleverly. 81 appreciate your position.
have made serious charge, and now
| AuNS q ioll plOpOSltlOu " Suggest u
you. If this man is not produced to
morrow morning, take it for granted
that l am liberty to tell all that has
happened in this room tonight. If he /:
produced, shall kneel and beg YOU
pardon
The princess turned paler than evel
/ and knew not how she kept from fall
ing to the floor. There was long 81
lence following Gabriels unexpected
but fair suggestion.
'That is very fair, your highness,'
said Lorry. "There is no reason why
should not be prisoner tomorrow.
don't see how can hope to escape thu
inevitable. Your dungeon is strong
and | have given my word of honor t.
the captain that shall make no fur
Their effort to evade the law
81 agree" murmured the princess
ready to faint under the strain.
II must see him delivered to Primo,
Bolaroz," added Gabriel mercilessly.
"To Bolaroz." she repeated.
"Your highness, the pardon for tn,
poor old people," reminded Quinnox
| ATlr-ll-,7F: MI a