Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-14


unexpected events Of the morn
ing that they did not realize the
vast seriousness of the situation for
hours. Then it dawned upon them that
appearances were really against them
and that they were alone In land far
beyond the reach Of help from home.
One circumstance puzzled them with
its damning mystery: How came the
blood stains upon the doorknobf Dan
gloss courteously discussed this strange
and unfortunate feature with them, but
with i'll concealed skepticism. 1t was
evident that his mind was clear In re-
gard to the whole affair.
Anguish was of the opinion that the
real murderer had stained the knob In
tentionally, aiming to cast suspicion on
the man who had been challenged. The
assassin had an object In leaving those
convicting finger marks where they
would do the most damage. He either
desired the arrest and death OF the
American or hoped that his own guilt
might escape attention through the
misleading evidence. Lorry held, from
his deductions, that the crime had been
committed by a fanatic who loved his
sovereign too devotedly to see her wed
ded to Lorenz. Then why should he
wantonly cast guilt upon the man who
had been her protector. objected Dan
gloss.
The police guards came in from the
hotel about 10 o'clock, bearing marks
of an ugly conflict with the Axphaini-
ans. They reported that the avengers
had been quelled for the time being,
but that a deputaton had already
started for the castle to lay the matter
before the princess. Officers had
searched the rooms Of the Americans
for blood stains, but had found no sign
of them.
"Did you find bloody water in which
hands had been washed? asked An
guish.
NO" responded one Of the guards.
''There was nothing to be found In the
bowls and jars except soapy water.
There Is not a blood stain in the room,
captain"
"That shakes your theory little,
ehT cried Anguish triumphantly. eek
anime Mr.. Lorry's hands and see If
there is blood upon them" Lorry's
hands were white and uncontaminated
Dangloss wore pucker on bis brow.
Shortly afterward a crowd Of Ak.
phain men came to the prison gates
and demanded the person Of Grenfall
Lorry, departing after an ugly show OF
rage. Curious Edelweiss citizens stood
afar off, watching the walls and WIN
dows eagerly.
.This may cost Edelweiss a great
deal of trouble, gentlemen, but there is
more happiness here this morning than
the city has known in months. Every
body believes you killed him, Mr.. Lor-
~, but they all love you for the deed"
said Dangloss, returning at noon from
a visit to the hotel and ride through
the streets. 'The princes friends have
been at the castle since o'clock, and
am of the opinion that they are having
hard time with the high priestess."
"God bless herr cried Lorry.
1.-The town is crazy with excitement.
Messengers have been sent to old
Prince Bolaroz to inform him Of the
murder and to urge him to hasten
hither, where he may fully enjoy the
vengeance that is to be worked upon
his sons slayer. / have not seen q
wilder time in Edelweiss since the
close of the siege, fifteen years ago.
| By my soul, you are in a bad box, Sir
| They are lurking in every part of town
| to kill you if you attempt to leave the
| tower before the princess signs an or
der to restrain you legally. Your life
outside these walls would not be worth
q snap of the fingers"
Captain Quinnox Of the princess
bodyguard, accompanied by half doz
en- Of bis men, rode up to the prison
gates about 2 o'clock and was prompt
" admitted. The young captain wal
in sore distress.
"The Duke of Nizrox has sworn tina,
you are the murderer, Mr.. Lorry, anf
stakes his life," said he after greetings
"Her highness has Just placed In my
hands an order for your arrest an TN
assassin Of Prince Lorenz."
Lorry turned as pale as death. "Yos
l-you don't mean to say that she hal