The Price He Paid — page 172: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

HIS FIRST LOVE. 163 and tread of several persons now becoming dimly visible through the obscurity. They came on nearer and nearer, and a half-suppressed cry of joy escaped Gabrielle’s lips. She had recognized Raven’s figure advancing toward the castle in the company of some half-dozen gentlemen; and a few minutes later the party stepped into the circle of light surrounding the portico. “I thank you, gentlemen,” said the governor, coming to ahalt. “You see it was quite unneces- sary to enforce your escort on me. There has been no attempt to molest uso0n the road As I told you, the tumult has spent itself—for to-night.” “Yes; but nothing save your excellency’s timely appearance would have dispersed the rioters,”—this in the impressive voice of Councilor Moser, who was standing next his chief. “They were about to storm the jailand to set the prisoners free when you ‘came up so unexpectedly—so providentially, I may say. Isaw with admiration how your excel- lency, by mere authority of word and look, tamed that rebellious mob, and reduced the rioters to order—a result which the superintendent here, with his whole staff of police to back him, had vainly striven to obtain.” The superintendent, who formed one of the group, seemed to take this observation in rather ill-part; for he replied, with a spice of unmistakable spite- fulness: “Well, you were ina good position at your win- dow, no doubt, to see how matters went, besides having the satisfaction of feeling yourself in per- . fect security, while Baron von Raven and I were. in the thick of the fight.” “T saw that it would be impossible for me to reach his excellency’s side,” declared the councilor; “otherwise I should have——” “No, no,” the baron interrupted him, “that would have been a most unnecessary venture on your part, whereas the superintendent and I were only fulfilling our duty. Well, we have settled as to the measures to be taken. Good evening, gentlemen.” He bowed slightly to his companions, and stepped Eomicbooks (E(@)