The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-02-10

week when one afternoon Anguish
rushed into the room out of breath and
scarcely able to control his excitement
"What's up3' cried Lorry. HAS the
countess aaeked your"
Not onnyour coin! But something is
up, and liam It's discoverer. You re.
member what you said about suspect
Ing Pdncef Gabriel Of being the chief
rascal In the abduction job? Well, my
boy, L am now willing to stake my life
that he Is the man," The news bearer
sat down OH the edge of the bed and
drew the first long breath he had had
in n long. time.
why do you think so?" demanded
the other, all interest.
Heard him talking just now. |
didn't know who the fellow was at
first, but he was talking to some
strange looking soldiers as / passed.
AS soon rs l heard his voice l knew he
was Michael. There isn't any question
about 1t. Lorry. 1 am positive. He did
not observe me, but I suppose by this
time he has learned that his little lob
was frustrated by two Americans who
heard the plot near the castle gates.
He has nerve to come here, hasn't hep"
IF he Is guilty, yes. Still he may feel
secure because he Is a powerful prince
II able to resent any accusation with
q show of force. Where Is he now?"
II left him there. Come OH. Well 20
down, and you can see for yourself"
They hurried to the corridor, which
was swarming with men In strange
lntfOrInd FHhnrn yrnrn an 800, n,.-
stark officers, but the majority of the
buzzing conversatiOnallsts were dressed
In n rich gray uniform.
"Who are these strangers?' asked
Lorry.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Prince To-
REM is also here, and these gray fel-
lows are n part Of his %retinue. Lorenz
has gone on to the castle. What's the
matterT' Lorry had turned pale and
was reaching for the wall with un.
steady hand.
"IIe has come for his answer" he
said slowly, painfully.
That's right. 1 hadn't thought of
that. 1 hope she turns him down. But
there's Gabriel over yondcr. See those
three fellows in blue? The middle one
is the prince"
Near the door leading to the piazza
stood several men, gray and blue. The
man designated as Gabriel was I'm the
center, talking gayly and somewhat
loudly, pulling ut n cigarette between
sentences. He was not tall, but he
was strongly and compactly built. His
hnir II cropped beard were as black
as coal, his eyes widc, black and lined.
1t was ii pleasure Worn face, and Lorry
shuddered as he thought Of the prin.
cess In the power of this evil looking
wretch. They leisurely made their
way to a spot near the takers. There
was no mistaking the voice. Prince
Gabriel N Michael were one and the
same beyond all doubt. But how to
prove 1t to the satisfaction of others?
Skeptlcism would follow any attempt
to proclaim the prince guilty because
his voice sounded like that Of the chief
conspirator. In n matter where whole
nations were concerned the gravest
Importance would be attached to the
accusation Of n ruler. Satisfying them
selves as to the identity of that pc
cul1ar voice, the friends passed through
to the piazza.
Whats to be done2" asked Anguish.
boiling over with excitement.
I'VE must go to Baron Dangloss. tell
him of our positive discovery, and !
then consult Count Halfont."
And her royal highness, of course"
aer1 Sss; | tb ssp pP}nee So" as sa}id Lorrv. flick
They hurried to the tower and were
1900 H. A. % A. 1-1 E{flN |
chief Of police. Lorry had spent many
hours with Dangloss Of late. and they
had become friends. His grim old face
blanched p%erceptibly rs he heard the
assertions Of the young men. He shook
his head dcspairingly.
at may be rs you say, gentlemen,
but I am afraid we can do nothing.
To charge n prince with such n crime
and on such evidence would be mad
ness. / am Of your belief, however.
Prince Gabriel Is the man l have sus-
pected. Now I am convinced. Before
we can do anything in such n grave
matter it will be necessary to consult
the princess and her ministers. In
case we conclude to accuse the Prince
of Dawsbergen it must be after careful
and judicious thought. There are many
things to consider, gentlemen. For my
part, I would be overjoyed to seize the
villain and to serve him rs we did his
tools, but my hands are tied, you see.
I would suggest that you so at once
to the princess and Count Halfont, tell
them of your suspicions'-
Not suspicious, my lord-facts," in
terrupted Anguish.
"Well, then, facts, and ascert ain how
they feel about taking up q proposition
that may mean war. May l risk you to
come at once to me with their answer.