Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-03-10

buzzing conversatlonaIlsts were dressed
in a rich gray uniform.
"Who are these strangersp asked
Lorry.
"Oh, / forgot to tell you. Prince 10
REM is also here, and these gray fel-
lows are a part Of his retinue. Lorenz
has gone on 10 the castle. WHAT'S the
matterT Lorry had turned pale and
was reaching for the wall with un-
steady hand.
'He has come for his answer" he
said slowly. painfully.
That's right. / hadn't thought Of
that. hope she turns him down. But
there's Gabriel over yonder. 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 In the
center talking gayly and somewhat
loudly, pulling at a cigarette between
sentences. He was not tall, but he
was strongly and compactly built. His
hair and cropped beard were as black
as coal, his eyes wide, black and lined
1t was pleasure worn face, and Lorry
shuddered as he thought Of the prin-
cess In the power Of this evil looking
wretch. They lelsurely made their
way to a spot near the takers. There
was no mistaking the voice. Prince
Gabriel and Michael were one and the
same beyond all doubt. But how to
prove It TO the satisfaction OF others?
Skepticism would follow any attempt
to proclaim the prince guilty because
his voice sounded like that OF the chief
conspirator. In matter where whole
nations were concerned the gravest
Importance would be attached TO the
accusation Of a ruler. Satisfying them
selves as TO the Identity OF that pc
cullar voice, the friends passed through
to the piazza.
"Wbats TO be doneT 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 hlghness, Of course"
"Yes, suppose 50" said Lorry, flick
ing the ashes from his cigar with
finger that was now steady. lie was
serving the princess again.
They hurried TO the tower and were
soon In the presence Of the fierce little
chief OF police Lorry had spent many
hours with Dangloss Of late, and they
had become friends. His grim old face
blanched perceptbly as he heard the
assertions OF the young men. lie shook
his head despalringly
at may be as you say, gentlemen,
but | am afraid we can do nothing.
To charge prince with such n crime
and on such evidence would be mad
ness am Of your belief, however.
Prince Gabriel Is the man | have sus-
pected. Now 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 Dawsborgen It must be after careful
and Judiclous thought. There are many
things to consider, gentlemen. For my
part, / would be oyerjoyed TO seize the
villain and 10 serve him as we did his
tools, but my hands are tied, you see
would suggest that you 20 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 ascertain how
they feel about taking up proposition
that may mean war. May | ask you to
come at once to me with their answer
II IS possible that they will call for
consultation with the ministers, mobiles
and high officers Still, fear they will
be unwilling to risk much on the rath-
er tllmsy proof you can give. Gabriel
IL powerful, and we do not seek war
with him. There Is another foe for
whom we are quietly whettlng our
swords" The significant remark caused
both listeners TO prick up their ears
But he disappointed their curiosity
aud they were left to speculate MS TO
whom the other foe might be. Did he
mean that Graustark was secretly, sly.
", making ready to resist, treaty or no
treatyl
II required prolonged urging ON the
part OF Anguish to persuade Lorry to
accompany him to the castle, but, when
once determined TO go before the prin-
cess with their tale, he was eager, i'm
patient, TO cross the distance that lay
between the hotel and the forbidden
grounds. They walked rapidly down
Castle avenue and were soon at the
gates The guard knew them, and they
were admitted without word. As
they hurried through the park they
saw many strange men IN gray, gaudy
uniforms. and It occurred to Lorry
that their visit no matter how great
Its importance, was m timed. Prince
Lorcnz was holding the center Of the
stage
Anguish, with his customary lmpul
sivencss, overrulcd Lorry's objections,
aud they proceeded toward the en-
trance. The guards OF the princess sa-
lutcd profoundly while the mlnions Of
Lorcnz stared with ~ bred wonder
upon these two tall men from another
world. II could be- seen that the castle
was astlr with excitement subducd
and pregnant with thriving hopes and
fears. The nobility OF Graustark was
there. The visitors OF Axphaln were be.
ing entertained
AZ the castle doors the two men met
their nrst obstacle but they had an
ucipOted It's presence. Two guards
halted them percmptorlly.
1--WE must see her royal hlghness,"
said Anguish, but the men could not
understand him. They stolcaly stood
their ground, shaking their heads.
Let us lnd some one who can un-
derstand U.S. advised Lorry, and in
few moments they presented them.
selves before the guards. accompanied
10y young uobleman with whom they
had acquaintance, lie succccdsl In ad-
vaucIug thcm to the reception hall In.
side the doors and found for thpm a