Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-16

kill him! There must be no murder
herer"
He reluctantly hurled Gabriel from
him, the prince lettering to his knees
in the effort to keep from falling. She
had saved her maligner's life. but cour-
age deserted her with the act. Help
lcssly she looked into the blazing eyes
of her lover and faltered:
IL do not know what to say or do.
My brain is bursting."
Courage, courage!" he whispered
gently.
"You SHAH pay for this" shrieked
Gabriel "If you are not prisoner you
shall be. Therell be scandal enough in
Graustark tomorrow to start a volcano
of wrath from the royal tonbs where
lie her fathers. I'll see that you are
prisoner He started for the door, but
Lorry's pistol was leveled at his head.
"lf you move. I'll kill you"
"rhc world will understand how and
why fell by your hand and in this
room. Shoot he cried trumphantly.
Iorry's hand tremblcd, and his eyes
filled with the tears Of inpotcnt rage.
The prince held the higher card.
A face suddenly appeared at the door,
which had been stealthily opened from
without Captain Quinnox glidcd into
the room behind the prince and gently
closed the door, unnoticed by the gloat-
er.
"a prisoner" sneered Gabriel.
to
Here" answered a voice at his back
The prince wheeled and found himself
looking at the stalwart form of the
captain of the guard. II am surely
privileged to speak now. your high
ness" he went on, addressing the prin-
cess significantly.
How came you here?" gasped Ga
briel.
II brought my prisoner here. Where
should be if not here to guard him"
"When--when did you enter this
room?'
IAN hour ago"
"You were not here when came"
Il have been standing on this spot
for an hour You have been very much
cACIttu. l III usitt, bUl IL IL Stl dllSt sou
did not see me-" lied Quinnox.
Gabriel looked about helplessly, non.
plused.
"You were here when | came in?" he
asked wouderingly.
ASK her royal highness," command
ed the captain, smiling.
Captain Quinnox brought the pris.
oncr to me an hour ago." she said me-
chanically.
1T is q lie" cried Gabriel. "IIe was
not here when entered"
The captain of the guard laid a
heavy hand on the shoulder Of the
prince and said threateningly:
II was here. and am here. Have a
care how you speak. Were to do right
I should shoot you like dog. You
came like a thief. you insult the ruler
of my land. have borne it all because
you are prince. but have a care-have
a care. ! may forget myself and tear
out your BLACK heart with these hands
One word from her royal hishness will
be your death warrant"
He looked inquiyingly at the princess
ms if anxious to put the dangerous wit
ness whore he could tell no tales. She
shook her head, but did not speak.
Lorly realized that the time had come
for him to assert himself Assuming a
distressed air he bowed his head and
said dcjoctedly:
My pleading has been in vain, then,
your highuess. | have sworn to you
that | am innocent of this murder, and
YOU have said shall have fair trial.
That is all yoI can oficr?'
THAT is all she said shrlly. her
mind gradually graspng his meaning.
you will not punish the poor peO-
pie who socrcted 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 well of them. l have only
this request to make in return for what
little service l may have given you:
Forgive the old people who befricnded
me. | am ready to go to the tower ut
once, captain"
Gabriel heard this speech with
skeptical smile on his face
Il am no fool" he said simply. Cap
tain" shrcwdly turning to QuinnoX,
IF he is your prisoner, why do you
permit him to retain his revolver?"
The conspratorS were taken by sur
prise, but I.orry had found his wits
1t is folly, your highness, to allow
this gentleman and conQuerng 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 yout'
You wore ordered from my house
once today, yet you come again like a
conQueror. | should not spare you.
You deserve to lose YOUR life for the ac-
tions 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
enod into silence.
Willingly-wilingly" cried QIiin-
nox, "Now, your hghness? 'Twere
better in the hall.'
For Gods sake, do not murder me.
Let me go"' cringcd the prince.
Il do not mean that you should kill
him now, Qunnox, but | instruct YOU
to do so if he puts foot inside these
walls again. DO You understand"
Yes, your highncss."
Then you will place this prisoner in