The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-08-05

who Is also high priestess, ana swear
on his life that he knows the guilty
man. The man who 80 accuses agrees
to forfeit his own life In case the other
Is proved innocent. III 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 II Is
the only plsce 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 1t 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.
$50 you say, but
IF you accuse me, I'll kill your
whispered LOrry. holding himself tense.
Anguish caught and held him.
BE calm. sir" cautioned Dangloss
II may have my views. but 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
n
prints of bloody fingers where you
or some one else-placed his hand In
opening the door. 1t was this dlscov-
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.
I 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. TO protect you
In return. 1t means death to you il
you fall into the hands of his followers
just now. A few hours will cool them
off no doubt. but nOw-nOw II would be
madness to face them. | know not
what they have done TO my men at the
hOtel-pcrhaps 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 abated or
until some one swore his life against
the supposed murderer. They were
virtually prisoners, and they knew il
well. Furthermore, they could see that
Baron Dangloss believed I.orry guilty
OF the murder. Protestations Of limo
cence had been politely received and
politely disregarded.
do you expect one of his friends to
take the oath?" asked Lorry.
Eyes; it is sure to come"
But you will not do so yourself?"
"No."
II thank you. captain. for | see that
you believe me guilty"
II do not say you are guilty. remem-
Der. but will say that If you did muir
der Prince LOrenz you have made the
people of Graustark rejoice from the
bottoms of their hearts. and you will
be eulogizcd from one end of the land
to the other"
Hanged and eulogized." said LoYry
grimly.
GRO BE CONTINUED