Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-04-21

ness" he went on, addressing the prin
cess significantly.
How came you herer gasped Ga
briel.
II brought my prisoner here. When
should be II not here to guard hlmf'
"When-when did you enter thi
roomT'
AN hour ago"
"You were not here when came"
81 have been standing on this spo
for an hour. You have been very mucl
excited, I'll agree. but 1t is strange yoI
did not see me-" lied QuinnOx.
Gabriel looked about hclplessly, non
plused.
"You were here when came inT' h'
asked wonderlngly.
ASK her royal hlghness," command
ed the captain. smiling.
Captain Quinnox brought the prls
oner to me an hour ago she said me
chauically.
at is a lie!" cried Gabriel. "He wal
not here when ! entered!'
The captain OF the guard laid d
heavy hand on the shoulder Of the
prince and said threatenlngly:
81 was here, and am here. Have q
care how you speak. Were to do right
should shoot you like dog. You
came like a thief. you insult the ruleI
OF my land. | have borne II all because
you are a prince. but have care-hayt
care. may forget myself and teal
out your black heart with these hands
one word from her royal hignness viii
be your death warrant"
He looked inquirlngly at the princess
as II anxious to put the dangerous wit
ness where he could tell no tales. She
shook her head, but did not speak
Lorry realized that the time had come
for him to assert himself. Assuming q
distressed air, he bowed his head and
said dejectedly:
"My pleading has been In vain, then
your highness have sworn TO you
Nat am innocent OF this murder, and
you have said shall have a fair trial
That Is all you can offerr
THAT is all," she said shrilly. her
mind gradually grasping his meaning
You will not punish the poor peo-
pie who secrcted 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. | have only
this request TO make In return for what
little service | may have given you
Forgive the old people who befriended
me. | am ready TO go to the tower nj
once, captain"
Gabriel heard this speech with q
skepticnl smile on his face
~ am no fool" he said simply. cap
tain" shrcwdly turning to Qulnnox
III he is your prisoner, why do yor
permit him to retain his revolverr
The conspirators were taken by sur
prise, but Lorry had found his wits.
1T Is folly your highness, TO allow
this gentleman and conduerng prince
| TO cross examine you. | am prisoner
and that is the end of It. What odd
| Is II to the Prince OF Dawsbergen how
and where | was caught or why you
officer brought me TO your
"You were ordered from my hous,
once today, yet you come again like 4
conqueror should not spare you
You deserve TO lose your life for the ac
tions Of tonight. Captain Quinnox, will
you kill him II ask you to end hl'
wrctched llfeY Yetlves eyes wer,
blazing with wrath. beneath whicl
cleaned n hope that he could be fright
cned into silence.
Willingly willingly" cried Qnln
noX. "Now, your hlghncss2 liver,
better In the hnllw
For Gods sake, do not murder me
Let me ro" cringcd the prince.
81 do not mean that you should xii
him now QulnnoX, but | instruct yol
TO do so II hc puts foot inside thes,
walls again. DO you understand =
Yes. your hlghncss."
Then you will place this prisoner II
the castle dungeon until tomorrow
morning. when he is to be taken to th,
tower, Prince Gabriel may accompa
ny you TO the dungeon cell II he likes
after which you viii escort him to tn,
gates. If hc enters them again, you ar,
TO Kill him. Take them both awayw
"lour hlghncss, | must ask you Il
write a pardon for the good people fl
| whose house the prisoner was found,
suggested QuinnoN, shrewdy seeing
chance for communication unsuspecte,
by the prince
"a moment. your hlghness," said tn
prince, who had recovered himsel
cleyerly. u appreciate your position.
have made a serious charge, and | nov
have fair proposition to suggest T.
you. II this man Is not produced To
morrow morning | take II FOR granite,
that | am liberty to tell all that ha
happened In this room tonight II he /
produced. | shall kuecl aud beg you
pardon"
The princess turned palcr than eve
aud knew not how she kept from fall
Ing TO the floor There was long 81
lcnce following Gnbriels uncxpecte
but fair suggestion.
THAT Is very fair, your highness,
said Lorry. There Is no reason why
should not be Il prisoner tomorrow.
don't see how I can hope to escape th
Inevitable. Your dungeon is strong
and | have given my word OF honor I
the captain that shall make no ful
thcr effort TO eyRde the law"
II ngree,' murmurcd the princess
ready 70 faint under the strain.
81 must see him delivered TO Prime
nolaroz." added Gabriel mercIlessly.
"ro Bolaroz," she repeated.
Your hIghncss, the pardon for th
poor old people, reminded Qulnno,
L la &SNT laITL a