The Price He Paid — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

210 DOCTOR FRANZ. the end of our dreams of liberty, of all our youthful . hopes and illusions.” Every drop of blood had receded from the baron’s face. His breast heaved with a short, quick, pant- ing movement, and his hands were clenched con- vulsively. “ And if I tell you now that his so-called treachery was nothing more than an imprudent act, an un- happy error of judgment, for which I have bitterly, cruelly atoned? If1 tell you that you yourselves, with your over-hasty condemnation, your mad mis- trust, drove me into the ranks of your enemies?” “T make answer that you have forfeited all claim to be believed.” “Do not provoke me further, Rudolph,” panted Raven. “You know that I would have borne so much from no other man. I have given you my word, and you must believe me.” “No, Arno.” Brunnow’s voice was hard and contemptuous. “Had you at the time Iwas pining in prison, when I could not understand, would not understand, that you had been the traitor—had you then stepped before me and spoke as you have spoken now, your word would have had more weight with me than the testimony of the whole world—than the clearest, most convincing proofs. The two decades which lie between now and then have taught me another lesson. Baron von Raven, whose name heads the list of the enemies and _ per- secutors of that cause to which he once consecrated his life; the governor of R——, whose iron des- potic will sets all justice, both abstract and legal, at defiance, who but a few days since shot down the people in whose ranks he once stood—this man I utterly decline to believe.” He at whom these crushing accusations were hurled stood somber and silent, his eyes fixed on the ground, his features working with some strong emotion; but whether it were shame, anger, or grief which moved him, who should sav? As Brun- now spoke the last words, however, he suddenly drew himself up to his full height, and his eyes Eomichooks co