The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-02-03

Every voice was stilled, every eye Wide
with dread. Neenah screamed a. she
ned across the terrace toward the
drawbridge. where Selim stood as mo-
tionless at statue.
Luncheon time passed. and again, ~
II drawn by magnet. the entire
household made It's way to the front Of
the chateau.
At last Selim uttered shout Of Joy.
He forgot the Difference due his bet
tiers and unceremoniously dashed OF
toward the gates. followed by Neenah.
who seemed possessed Of wings.
Chase was returnlngi
They saw him coming up the drive,
his hat in his hand. his white umbrella
raised above his head. The eager, JOY
GUS watchers saw him greet Selim and
his futtering WIFE They saw Selim
fall upon his knees. and they felt the
tears rushing to their own eyes.
"Hurray!~ shouted little Mr.. Saun-
ders In his excitement. Bowles and
the three clerks Joined him In the ex-
hibition. The princess was conscious
Of the fact that at least five or Elk
pairs Of eyes were watching her face.
She closed her lips and compelled her
eyelids to obey the dictates Of re-
sentful heart. She lowered them until
they gave one the impression Of indo-
lent curiosity, even Indifference. All
the while her incomprehensible heart
was humping with a rapture that
knew no allegiance to royal conven-
tons.
A few minutes later he was among
them, listening, with his cool, half
satirical smile, to their protestations Of
Joy and relief.
Nonsense" he said In his most dep
recating voice, taking a seat beside
the princess on the railing and tanning
himself lazily with his hat, to the NOR
tification Of his body servant who
waved a huge palm leaf in vigorous
adulation. ut was nothing. Just be-
ing q witness. that's all. You'll f1nd
how easy 1t Is when you get back to
London and have to testify In the
Skaggs will contest. Tell the truth,
that's ALL" The princess was now
looking at his brown face with eyes
over which she had lost control. "Oh.
by the bye" he said, as If struck by
a sudden thought, ut is my painful
duty to announce to the Mesdames Won
Blitz that they are widows
There was dead silence. The three
women stared up at him. uncompre-
bending
"Yes," he went on solemnly. Jacob
Is no more He was found guilty by
his judges and executed with COM
mendabe haste and precision. He took
his medicine bravely-twelye leaden
pills administered by rs many skillful
surgeons. But 1t II yet too early to
congratulate yourselves on your free
dom. Rasula has promised to kill all
Of US. whether we deserve 1t or not"
"rhey shot himY demanded Dep
bingham when he had finished.
Admirably. By Jove, those fellows
can shoot! They accepted my word
against his-which Is most gratifying
to my pride. One other man testified
against him-a chap who saw him with
the Beers not ten minutes before the
attempt was made to rob the vaults.
Rasula appeared as counsel for the de-
Tense. Merely a matter of form. He
knew that he was guilty. There was
no talk Of a new trial; no appeal to the
supreme court. Britt; no expense to the
community"
He was as unconcerned about 1t as
II discussing the most trivial happen
ing Of the day. Won Blitz lived not ten
minutes after sentence was passed.
"As to their Intentions toward u.s."
said Chase, "they are firm In their de-
termination that no one shall leave
the chateau alive. Rasula was quite
frank with me. He is q cool devil.
He calmly notified me that we will all
be dead inside Of two weeks. No ships
will put In here So long ~ the plague
exists. l asked him how We were to
die, and he smiled as though he was
holding something back ~ q surprise
for US. He came az near to laughing
as I've ever seen him when ! asked
him II he'd forgotten my warships.
why don't you have them herer he
asked. We're not ready said l. The
six months are not up for nine days
yet also made the interesting dis
covery that suits have already been
brought in England to break the will
on the grounds of insanity"
But what good will that do rs II
we are to die hereT exclaimed Bobby
Browne.
"None whatsoever" said Chase calm
ly. "You must admit, however. that
you exhibited signs Of hereditary In
sanity by coming here In the arst
place. I'm beginning to believe that
there's a streak Of It In my family
too"
"And you you saw him killedr'
asked the princess in an awed voice.
low and full Of horror.
Eyes. could not avoid IT.
They killed him on your-on your
She could not complete the sentence.
but shuddefed expressively.
Eyes. He deserved death. princess.
l am more or less like the Noslem In
one Inspect ! might excuse . thief
Or q murderer. but have no pity for
Z traitor"
"You saw him killedr' she said in
the same awed voice. inyoluntartly
drawing away from him.