slacken the pace. He and Anguish were just beginning to regain their
senses.

"Do not stop! Do not stop!" wheezed Dangloss. "You must get to a place
of safety. We cannot prevent something dreadful happening if you are
caught!"

"If we are caught!" cried Anguish. "Why, what have we done?"

"Unhand me, Baron Dangloss! This is an outrage!" shouted Lorry.

"For God's sake, be calm! We are befriending you. When we reach the
Tower, where you will be safe, I shall explain," gasped the panting
Chief of Police. A few moments later they were inside the prison gates,
angry, impatient, fatigued.

"Is this a plan to prevent the duel?" demanded Lorry, turning upon the
chief, who had dropped limply into a chair and was mopping his brow.
When he could find his breath enough to answer, 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 to the heart!" exclaimed the Chief.

"We have saved you from his friends, gentlemen, but I must say that you
are still in a tight place."

He then related to them the whole story. Just before six o'clock Mizrox
had gone to the Prince's room to prepare him for the duel. The door was
closed but unlocked, as he found after repeated knockings. Lorenz was
lying on the bed, undressed and covered with blood. The horrified duke
made a hasty examination and found that he was dead. A dagger had been
driven to his heart as he slept. The hotel was aroused, the police
called, and the excitement was at its highest pitch when the two friends
came from their room a few minutes after six.

"But what have we to do with this dreadful affair? Why are we rushed off
here like criminals?" asked Lorry, a feeling of cruel gladness 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 and Anguish were speechless. Then came
the protestations, the rage and the threats, through all of which
Dangloss sat calmly. Finally he sought to quiet them, partially
succeeding.

"Mr. Lorry, the evidence is very strong against you, but you shall not
be unjustly treated. You are not a prisoner as yet. In Graustark a man
who is accused of murder, and who was not seen by any one to comm