The Price He Paid — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

22 CARRYING OUT ORDERS. “T too am of the opinion that it is not necessary to proceed with so much rigor. It will not be diffi- cult to trace out the guiltyeparties and to secure them.” “Your excellency should not attach such import- ance to the affair. It really does not deserve it.” The Governor, Baron von Raven, to whom all these remonstrances and remarks were addressed, appeared but little moved by them. He answered with cold politeness: “Tam exceedingly sorry, gentlemen, to find my- self in such direct cpposition to you in this matter, . but I have formed this resolution after mature con- sideration; besides which, you know that I never recall a measure once decided on. My instructions will be carried out.” | The gentlemen assembled in the audience-room of the R—— Government house seemed to have been engaged in a long and animated conference. They were all more or less excited, with the sole excep- tion of the baron himself, who leaned back in his chair with an air of imperturbable calm. “T should have thought that my voice, being that of the chief magistrate of the town, would have carried some weight with it,” said he who had first spoken. “Particularly as on this occasion the Pe hppeee eatin of Police declares himself on our side.” “Certainly,” assented the official alluded to; add- ing, however, with prudent reserve, “but I have filled my present post too short a time to be thor- oughly acquainted with local concerns. His excel- lency is, no doubt, better qualified to judge than J am.” “J only fear,” began the third personage, who wore the uniform of a colonel—“I only fear, baron, that this severity may be misinterpreted, that it may be construed into alarm for your own personal safety.” ¢ A contemptuous smile played about the baron’s ips. “Make your mind easy,” he replied. “They know me too well in R—— to ascribe fear to me. That Gomicbooks (E(0)