re in his
place, innocent and yet almost sure of conviction. These friends of
Axphain will resort to any subterfuge, now that one of their number has
staked his life. Mark my word, some one will deliberately swear that he
saw Grenfall Lorry strike the blow and that will be as villainous a lie
as man ever told. What I am here for, your Highness, is to ask if that
decree cannot be withdrawn."

"Alas, it cannot! I would gladly order his release if I could, but you
can see what that would mean to us. A war, Mr. Anguish," she sighed
miserably.

"But you will not see an innocent man condemned?" cried he, again
indignant.

"I have only your statement for that, sir, if you will pardon me. I
hope, from the bottom of my heart, that he did not murder the Prince
after being honorably challenged."

"He is no coward!" thundered Anguish; startling both women with his
vehemence. "I say he did not kill the Prince, but I'll stake my life he
would have done so had they met this morning. There's no use trying to
have the decree rescinded, I see, so I'll take my departure. I don't
blame you, your Highness; it is your duty, of course. But it's pretty
hard on Lorry, that's all."

"He may be able to clear himself," suggested the Countess, nervously.

"And he may not, so there you have it. What chance have two Americans
over here with everybody against us?"

"Stop! You shall not say that! He shall have full justice, at any cost,
and there is one here who is not against him," cried the Princess, with
flashing eyes.

"I am aware that everybody admires him because he has done Graustark a
service in ridding it of something obnoxious--a prospective husband. But
that does not get him out of jail."

"You are unkind again," said the Princess, slowly. "I chose my husband,
and you assume much when you intimate that I am glad because he was
murdered."

"Do not be angry," cried the Countess, impatiently. "We all regret what
has happened, and I, for one, hope that Mr. Lorry may escape from the
Tower and laugh forevermore at his pursuers. If he could only dig his
way out!"

The Princess shot a startled look toward the speaker as a new thought
entered her wearied brain; a short, involuntary gasp told that it had
lodged and would grow. She laughed at the idea of an escape from the
Tower, but as she laughed a tiny spot of red began to spread upon her
cheek, and her eyes glistened strangely.

Anguish remained with them for half an hour. When he