Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-03-07
6RAUSTARK|
-. By. I
GEORGE BARR M'CuTCHE0N +.

Ie then related to them the whole
ny. Just before o'clock Mizrox had
be TO the princes room to prepare
for the duel. The door was closed,
unlocked. as he found after repeat
knockinCs. LorenZ was lying on the
4. undressed and covered with blood.
be Mortified duke made a hasty ex-
nination and found that lie was dead.
dagger bad been driven 10 his heart
lie slept. The hotel was aroused. the
lice were called. and the excitement
rs at its highest pitch when the two
lends came from their room a few
inutes after 6.
But what have we to do with this
-eadful affair? Why are we rushed
b here like criminals?" asked Lorry.
feeling Of cruel gladness growing out
the knowledge that Lorenz was dead
nd that the princess was freed from
er compact.
"My friend" said Dangloss slowly,
you are accused Of the murder"
Lorry was too much stunned to be
ngry. too weak TO protest. For some
oments after the blow fell he and
Anguish were speechless. Then came
he prOteStatiOns. the rage and the
hreats. through all of which Dangloss
at calmly. Finally he sought to quiet
hem. partially succeeding.
"Mr. Lorry. the evidence is very
trong 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
hn accuser shall go 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
no forfeit his own life in case the other
j is proved innocent If 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 it is
the only place in which you are safe.
Lorenzs 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 l
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.
81 may have my views, but l 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 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
l love my princess, and | do not for
get that you risked your life, each Of
you. to protect her. l have done al
that l can, gentlemen, to protect yor
in return. 1t means death to you il
YOU fall into the hands of his followers
just now A few hours will cool then
off no doubt, but now-now it would b,
madness to face them. / know no
what they have done to my men at tn
hotel-perhaps butchered them"
There was anxiety in Dangloss
voice, and there was honesty in hi
keen old eyes. His charges now say
the situation clearly and apologize
warmly for the words they had u
tered under the pressure of somewha
eXtenuating circumstances. They e2
bTSSSeu Il NllllSueSS u Ieulilu III III
prison until the excitement abated {
until some one swore his life again'
the supposed murderer. They WEI
virtually prisoners, and they knew
well. Furthermore, they could see tn;
Baron Dangloss believed Lorry guilt
of the murder. Protestations of inn
cence had been politely received al
politely disregarded.
DO you expect one of his friends
take the oath?" asked Lorry.
Yes; it is sure to come"
But you will not do so yourself?'
mo"
81 thank you, captain, for see TIL
you believe me guilty"
Il do not say you are guilty, reme1
Der. but l will say that If you did mu
der Prince Lorenz you have made Il
people of Graustark rejoice from Il
bottoms of their hearts, and you W
lie eulogized from one end of the la
TO the other"
Hanged and eulogized," said Lor
grimly.
W.T.