Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-10-11
the bed numb and without any clear
idea where lie was. Free! II she WAS
not princess she was free. free!

/
The duke allowed the quartet to re-
main standing for some time. he
strobe up and down before them, bis
eyes stralning ut the floor, bis hands
behind his back.
"I do not recognize any Of these per-
sons" he said to Carmichael.
Your highness does not recognize
me, then?" asked the clock mender.
"Come Closer" commanded the duke.
The clock mender obeyed. Take of
those spectacles." The duke scanned
the features. and over his own came
the dawn Of recollection. "Your eyes.
your nose Arnsberg. here and alive?
Oh, this Is too good to be true" The
duke reached out toward the bell, but
Carmichael interposed.
"Your highness will remember" he
warned.
"Ha! So you have trapped me blind
ly? begin to understand. Who Is
this fellow Grumbach3 Did offer I'M
munity to himT
Il am Hans Breunner, highness. and
l ask for nothing"
"Breunner! Breunner! Hans Breun-
ner, brother of Hermann! And you put
yourself into my hands," The tone
developed into suppressed roar. The
duke took hold Of Hans by the shoul-
ders and drew him close. "You dog!
So you ask for nothing? 1t shall be
given to you. Tomorrow morning !
shall have you shot! Hans Breunner!
God Is good to me this night! Thanks.
Herr Carmichael, a thousand thanks!
And need not ask who that damnable
scoundre is who has the black face
and heart Of gypsy"
"Your highness." said Won Arnsberg
quietly, "all ! have left in the world
are these two withered hands, and may
God cut them Off IL they ever wronged
you In any act. am innocent. Those
letters purported to have been written
by me were forgeries. Tonight ! shall
leave this palace free man, and you
shall ask pardon for the wrong you
have done me-"
There was no fear in the voice. The
duke glared at the speaker somberly,
recalling what Herbeck had often said
What you say still remains to be
proved Now. what is at the bottom
Of all thisY' was the demand.
Hans crossed the room to the dukes
desk and spread out MS treasures un'
der the hickering candlelight. The
duke, with cry Of terror, sprang to,
ward the secret drawer. His first
thought was that the shoes and cloak.
upon which only his eyes ever rested
now. had been stolen. Nothing was
missing. He was overwhelmed. but he
steadied himself. He came back to
the desk and fingered the locket. The
duke opened the locket. looked long
and steadfastly at the portrait and
shut IT, Then he went to the drawer
again and returned with the counter
parts. He laid them side by side. The
likeness was perfect In all details.
"Carmichael." he said. will you
please help me? Do see these things
or do | not! And II do which Is
mine aud what does this signifyT
Grumbach answered: This. high
ness. took these from the little prin-
cess with my own hands. They have
never been out Of my keeping. Those
you have know nothing about"
The duke rubbed his eyes My
daughter
"The Princess Hildegarde is not your
daughter. highness." said Hans.
"Gott" The duke smote the desk in
despair. "Herbeck! | must send for
Herbeck."
mot yet. highness; later"
But II not Hildegarde- Nelieve
l must be growing mad"
Patience, your highness." said Car.
michael.
"Patiencew YEARLY You say pa
tience when my heart is dying inside
my breast! Patience! Who. then. Is
this woman | have called my childY"
God knows, highness" Hans stood
bowed before this parental aguny.
But what proof have you that she
is not? What proof, | sayY"
Would there be two lockets. high
ness?'
more proof than this will be need
ed. Produce It."
"Spse..y,- " said Hans to the gypsy.
"Highness." sdi1i Tic Tic ggyDsv.. bowling,
"he speaks truly. He came with US.
For fear that the little hghness might
be recognized as we Travelled. we
changed her clothes. He took them.
together with the locket. One day the
soldiers appeared in the distance. We
| all fed. We lost the little higbness,
and none Of us ever knew what be-
came Of her. She wore the costume OF
my own children"
I'VE shall produce that in time." said
Won Arnsberg.
"Damnable wretch!' said the duke.
addressing the gypsy.
The other shrugged. He had been
promised immunity. That was all he
cared about unless 1t was the bag OF
silver and gold this old clock mender
had given him a few hours gone.
81 am summoning her highDess."
said the duke as he struck the bell.
"And. highness." added Grumbach.
dispatch some one for Gretchen, who
Ives at 10 the Krumerwes."
THE goose girl? What does she
know? All. remember. She Is even
now with her highness. | shall send
for them BOTH"
Gretchen: Carmichaers bewilder'
ment increased. What place had the
goose girl In this tragedy!
Now, while we are waiting" re-
sumed the duke, his agitation some
what under control, 1.-The proof. the
definite proof!'
Her highness stumbled one night,
said Hans, "and fell upon the fire.
snatched her back. but not before her
left arm was badly burned"
The gypsy nodded. 81 saw it. high
ness"
And that was why Grumbach went
to the military ball with opera glasses
Carmichael was round eyed. But
Gretchen?
1.-The Princess Hildegarde has nc
scar upon either arm." continued
Grumbach. II have seen them. They
are without single flaw.
More than that" reiterated The
duke. THAT Is not enough