Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-03-17

stairs. Upon seeing the American
they stopped and turned as II TO oppos
foe approaching from the opposite di
rectlon. Baron Dangloss separatet
himself from the white coats aboy'
and called to the men below. In alarm
they started for the street door. III
was with them In an instant, his usu
ally red face changing from white I,
purple, his anxious eyes darting frs
toward the group above and then to
ward the bewildered Americans.
whats the matterT demanded Lor
ry.
''Therel Seew cried Dangloss, and
J even as he spoke conflict began al
the head OF the stairs, the police, aug
mented by a few soldiers. struggling
against a bowling, enraged mass OF
Axphainians. Dangloss dragged his re-
luctant charges through a small door
and they found themselves in the bag.
gage room OF the hotel Despite their
queries he offered no explanation, but
rushed them along. passing out OF the
| opposite door, down n short stairway
| and into a side street. A half dozen
police guards were awaiting them, and
before they could catch the faintest
idea OF what It all meant they were
running with the officers through an
alley as II pursued by demons.
Now, what In thunder does this
meanT painted Lorry, attempting to
slacken the pace. He and Anguish
were just beginning to regain their
senses.
"Do not stopl DO not stop@ wheezed
Dangloss. you must get TO n place OF
safety. We cannot prevent something
dreadful happening II you are caught"
III we are caughtw cried Anguish
why, what have we doneT'
"Unhand me, Baron Dangloss. This
is nm outragew shouted Lorry.
'For heavens sake, be calml We are
befrlendlng you. When we reach the
tower. where you will be safe, | shall
explain" gasped the painting chief OF
police A few moments later they were
inside the prison gates. angry, impa.
tient, fatlgued.
''ls this n plan to prevent the duelf"
demanded Lorry, turning upon the
chief, who had dropped Imply Into
chair and was mopplng his brow. When
he could find his breath enough TO nm
swer. Dangloss did so, and he might as
well have thrown a bombshell at their
feet.
"There'll be no duel Prince Lorenz
Is dead"
Dead" gasped the others.
Found dead In his bed. stabbed 10
the hearth exclaimed the chief. I'VE
have saved you from his friends. gen
tlemen, but must say that you are
still In tight place"
He then related to them the whole
story. Just before @ o'clock Mlzrox had
gone TO the princes room 10 prepare
him for the duel. The door was closed.
but unlocked. as be found after repeat
ed knocklngs. Lorenz was lying on the
bed. undressed and covered with blood.
The Mortified duke made hasty ex-
animation and found that he was dead
A dagger hnd been driven TO his henrt
ms he slept, The hotel was aroused, the
police were called, aud the excitement
was at Its highest pitch when the two
friends came from their room few
minutes after o.
but what have we TO do with this
dreadful AFFAIR." Why are we rushed
of here like crimInals" asked Lorry,
feeling Of cruel gadness growing out
Of the knowledge that Lorenz was dead
and that the princess was freed from
her compact.
MY friend" said Dangloss slowly.
you are accused Of the murder"
Lorry was too much stunned TO be
angry, too weak TO protest. For some
moments after the blow fell he aud
Anguish were speechless. Then came
the protestations, the rage and the
threats, through all OF which Dangloss
tat calmly. Finally he sought TO quiet
them. partially succeeding
"Mr Lorry, the evidence ls very
strong against you, but you shall not
be unjustly treated. You are not n |
prisoner rs yet In Graustark a man
who Is accused OF murder and who wai |
not seen by any one to commit III.
crime cannot be legally arrested until
an accuser shall so before the princess.
who Is also high prlestess. and swear
ON his life that he knows the guilty
man. The man who so accuses agrees
10 forfeit his own life In case the other
Is proved innocent II you are TO be
charged with the murder OF the prince,
some one must go before the princess
and take oath-hls life against yours. !
am holding you here, sir. because II Is
the only place In which you are safe
lorcnzs friends would have torn you
TO pieces had VIC not found you first.
You are not prisoners, aud you may dc
part II you think It wise"
"Rut how can they accuse me3 Il
know nothing OF the murder until !
reached this place" cried Lorry. stop
ping short In his restless walk before
the little baron.
80 you say, but
III you accuse me- III kill youm
whispered Lorry, holding himself tense
Anguish caught and held him.
BE calm sir" cautioned Dnngloss.
i may have my views, but am not
willing Ia take oath before her royal
lighncss. Listen. You were heard to
'ay you would kin him. You began
he fight You were the aggrcssor. and
here Is no one else on earth, II Is said.
Nho could have wished to murder him.
The man who did the stabbing entered
he room through the hall door and
eft 10y the same There arr drops Of
'lood IN the carpet leading direct to
'our door On your knob are the
'rInts OF bloody fingers where you
'r some one else placed his hand In
opening the door II WAS this discoy.
'ry, mndc hy me aud my men. that
uly convinced the cnragcd friends of
he dead prince that you wcrc guilty,
When We opened the door you were
'onc Then camr the search. the Hght
II the head VI the stairs aud the race
% the prison. The reason saved YOU
rom that mob should he plnin to won