I BEVERLY OF
By George Barr McCutchcon.
Author of "Graustark"
Copyright, 1904,
E$9
"And wnut?" luu'i-jKCkuu tii'vwij"
who could not wait.
The description fits our friend Hal
doB perfectly!"
"You don't mean It?" exclaimed Lor-'
ry. "Then he may be any one of tao
three you have mentioned?"
"Let me tell you what the grand
duke's secretary snyj. I have the of
ficial notice, but left it In my desk.
The runaway son of the grand duke is
called Chrlstobal. He Is twenty-seven
years of age, speaks English fluently,
besides French and our own language.
It seems that he attended an English
college with Prince Duutan and some
of our own young men who are still la
England. Six weeks ago he disappear
ed from his father's home. At the
same time a dozen wild and venturous
retainers left the grand duchy. The
party was seen in Vienna a week later,
and the young duke boldly announced
that he was off to the east to help his
friend Dantan In the fight for his
throne. Going on the theory that Bal-
dos Is this same Chrlstobal we have
only to provide a reason for his pre
ferring the wilds to the comforts of
our cities. In the first place, he knows
there Is a large reward for his appre
hension and he fears our police. In the
second place, be does not care to direct
the attention of Prince Dantan's foes
to himself. He missed Dantan In the
hills and doubtless was lost for weeks,
but the true reason for his flight la
made plain In the story that was print
ed recently In Paris and Berlin news
papers. According to them, Chrlstobal
rebelled against his father's right to
select a wife for him. The grand duke
had chosen a noble and wealthy bride,
and the son had selected a beautiful
girl from the lower walks of life. Fa
ther and son quarreled and neither
would give an Inch. Chrlstobal would
not marry his father's choice, and the
grand duke would not sanction his
union with the fair plebeian."
Here Beverly exclaimed proudly:
"He doesn't look like the sort of man
who could be bullied into marrying
anybody if he didn't want to."
"And he strikes me as the sort who
would marry any one he set his heart
upon having," added the princess, with
a taunting glance at Miss Calhoun.
"Umph!" sniffed Beverly defiantly.
The baron went on with his narrative,
exhibiting signs of excitement.
"To lend color to the matter, Chrlsto
bal's sweetheart, the daughter of a
game warden, was murdered the night
before her lover fled. I know nothing
of the circumstances attending the
crime, but It Is my understanding that
Chrlstobal Is not suspected. It is pos
sible that he Is Ignorant even now of
the girl's fate."
"Well, by the gods, we have a good
ly lot of heroes about us!" exclaimed
Lorry.
"But, after all," ventured the Count
ess Halfont, "Baldos may be none of
these men."
"Good heavens, Aunt Yvonne, don't
suggest anything so distressing," said
Yetlve. "He must be one of them."
"I suggest a speedy way of deter
mining the mutter," said Anguish.
"Let us send for Baldos and ask him
point blank who he Is. I think It Is
up to him to clear away the mystery."
"No!" cried Beverly, starting to her
feet
"It seems to be the only way," said
Lorry.
VBut I promised him that no ques
tions should be asked," said Beverly,
almost tearfully, but quite resolutely.
"Didn't I, Yet your highness?"
"Alas, yes!" said the princess, with a
pathetic smile of resignation, but with
loyalty In the clasp of her hand,
CHAPTER XlV.
lIAT same afternoon Baldos,
I I I blissfully Ignorant of the stir
I I I he had created la certain clr
I I cles, rode out for the first time
as a member of the castle guard. He
and Haddan were detailed by Colonel
Qulnnox to act as private escort to
Miss Calhoun until otherwise ordered,
If Haddan thought himself wiser than
Baldos In knowing that their charge
was not the princess he was very much
mistaken. If he enjoyed the trick that
was being played on his fellow guards
man his enjoyment was as nothing
when compared to the pleasure Baldos
was deriving from the situation.
The royal victoria was driven to the
fortress, conveying the supposed prin
cess and the Countess Dagmar to the
home of Count Marians. The two
guards rode bravely behind the equi
page, resplendent In brilliant new uni
forms. Baldos was mildly surprised
and puzzled by the homage paid the
young American girl. It struck him as
preposterous that the entire population
of Edelweiss could be In the game to
deceive him.
"Who Is the princess' companion?"
he Inquired of naddan as they left the
castle grounds.
"The Countess Dagmar, cousin to her
highness. She is the wife of Mr. An
guish." "I have seen her before," said Baldos,
a strange smile on his face.
The Countess Dagmar found It diffi
cult at first to meet the eye of the new
guard, but he was so punctiliously
oblivious that her courage was restored.
She even nt so far as to whisper in
GRAUSTARK 1
DodJ, Mead tc Co.
y
her face ns 1 prol.:sii!.v wouM not roc
ognize Yeti e a- one of the eavesdrop-
Ders. The .rincess hud flatly refused
to accompany them on the visit to the
fortress because of Baldos. Struck uy
a sudden impulse. Beverly called Bal
dos to the side of the vehicle.
"Baldos, you behaved very nicely yes
terday In eiDoslue the duplicity of
those young women," she sn!d.
"I am Imppy to have pleased your
highness." b; said steadily.
"It may interest you to know that
they ceased to be Indies in waltiug aft
er that exposure.
"Yes, your highness, it certainly is in
teresting," he said as he fell back into
position beside Haddan. During the
remainder of the ride he caught him
self time after time gazing reflectively
at the back of her proud little head,
possessed of an almost uncontrollable
desire to touch the soft brown unir.
"You can't fool that excellent young
man much longer, my dear," said the
countess, recalling the look in his dark
eyes. The same thought had been af
flicting Beverly with its probabilities
for wenty-four hours and more.
Count Marlanx welcomed his visitors
with a graciousness that awoke won
der In the minds of his staff. His
marked preference for the Am?
'can
'f
i
I
.2
a.
and
girl did not escape attention. '
the bolder young officers i
surreptitious grimaces, am'
with more or less compass.
happy faced beauty from o,
Marlanx surveyed Baldos sic...
coldly, deep C 'i-proval In his shiter
s. He ha., not forgotten the en
ter of the day before,
i see the favorite s on guard," he
said blandly. "Has he told you of the
lesson In manners he enjoyed last
night?" He was leading his guests to
ward the quarters, Baldos and Haddan
following. The new guurd could not
help hearing the sarcastic remark.
You didn't have him beaten?" cried
Beverly, stopping short.
"No, but I Imagine It would have
been preferable. I talked with him for
half an hour," said the general, laugh
ing significantly.
When the party stopped at the drlnk-
'tj fountain In the center of the fort
Idos halted near by. His face was
impassive as marble, his eyes set
iralght before him, his figure erect
and soldierly. An occasional sarcas
tic remark by the Iron Count, meant
for his ears, made no Impression upon
the deadly composure of the new guard
who had had his lesson. Miss Cal
houn was conscious of a vague feeling
that she had served Baldos an ill turn
when she put him Into this position.
The count provided a light luncheon
In his quarters after the ladies had
gone over the fortress. Beverly Cal
houn, with all of a woman's Indiffer
ence to things material, could not but
see how poorly equipped the fort was
as compared to the ones she had seen
in the United States. She and the
countess visited the armory, the ar
senal and the repair shops before
luncheon, reserving the pleasures of
the clubhouse, the officers' quarters
and the parade ground uutil afterward.
Count Mnrlanx's home was In the
southeast corner of the lnclosure, near
the pates. Several of the officers lunch
ed with him and the young ladles.
Marlanx was assiduous In his atten
tion to Beverly Calhoun, so much so,
In fact, that the countess teased her
afterward about liar conquest of the
old and well worn heart. Beverly
thought him extremely silly and senti
mental, much preferring him In the
character of the har: h, Implacable mar
tinet. At regular Intervals she saw the
straight, martial form of Baldos pass
the window near which she sat. He
was patrolling the narrow piazza
which fronted the house. Toward the
close of the rather trying luncheon she
was almost unable to control the im
pulse to rush out and compel him to
relax that imposing, machine-like
stride. She hungered for a few min
utes of the old time freedom with him.
The Iron Count was showing her
some rare antique bronzes he bad col
lected in- the south.. The luncheon was
over, and the couutess had strolled off
toward the bastions with the young
officers, leaving Beverly alone with the
host Servants came In to clear the
tables, but the count harshly ordered
them to wait until the guests had de
parted.
"It is the dearest thing I have seen,
said Beverly, holding a rare old candle
stick at arm's length and looking at it
in as many ways as the wrist could
turn. Her loose sleeves ended Just be
low the elbows. The count's ,eyes fol
lowed the graceful curves of her white
forearm with an eagerness that was
annoying.
"I prize it more dearly than any
other piece in my collection," he said,
"It came from Rome. It has a history
which I Bhall try to tell you some day
and which makes it almost invaluable.
A German nobleman offered me
mall fortune if I would part with it.
"And you wouldn't sell it?"
"I was saving it for an occasion,
your highness," he said, his steely eyes
glittering. "The glad hour has come
When I can part with it for a recom
pense far greater than the baron's
KOld."
Oh. isn't It lucky you kept itr she
cried. Thou she turned nor eyw.
nuioklv. for his g:ize seemed greedily
endeavoring to pierce through the lace
insertion covering her neck and shoul
ders. Outside the window the steady
tramp of the tall guard went on mo-
The recompense of a sweet smile, a
tender blush and the unguarded
thanks of a pretty woman. The can
dlestick Is yours, Miss Calhoun-lf you
will repay me for my sacrifice by ac
cepting it without reservation."
Slowly Beverly Calhoun set the can
dlestick down upon the table, her eyes
meeting his with steady aisaain.
"What a rare old Jester you are,
Count Marlanx." she said without a
smile "If I thought you were in ear
nest I should scream with laughter.
May I suggest that we Join the count
ess? We must hurry along, you know.
She and I have promised to play tennis
vlth the princess at 3 o'clock." 'The
count's glare of disappointment lasted
b-it a moment The diplomacy of ego
tism came to his relief, and he held
bark the gift for another day, but not
tar Buother woman.
grieves me to have you hurry
away. My afternoon is to be a dull
ou unlets you permit me to watch the
twuiis game," he said.
1 thought you were interested only
in the game of war," she said point-
'I stand in greater awe of a tenuis
ball thau I do of a cannon ball, if it la
sent by such an arm as yours," and
he not only laid his eyes, but his baud,
upon her bare arm. She started as if
something had stung her, and a cold
shiver raced over her warm flesh. His
eyes for the moment held her spell
iwmnd. He was drawing the hand to
his lips when a shadow darkened the
French window, and a sauer rauieu
warningly.
Count Marlanx looked up insianii,
a scowl on uis iuce. imu -the
window in an attitude of al.-" at
tention. Beverly drew uer orm .. .. ay
spasmodically and took a step toward
the window. The guard saw by her
eves that she was frightened; but, if
his heart beat violently, his face was
the picture of military stoniness.
"What are you doing Uierer snarieu
the count.
"Did your highness call .'" asked Hai-
dos coolly.
"She did not call, fellow!" said ttie
count, with deadly menace in his voice..
Report to me in half an hour. You
still have something to learn, I see."
Beverly was alarmed by the threat in
his tones. She saw what was 111 store
for Baldos, for she knew quite as well
as Marlanx that the guard had delib
erately intervened in her behalf.
He cannot come In half an hour!
she cried quickly. "I have something
for him to do, Count Marlanx. Besides,
think I did call." Both men stared
at her.
"My ears are excellent," said Mar
lanx stiffly.
"I fancy Baldos' must be even better,
for he heard me," said Beverly, herself
once more. The shadow of a smile
crossed the face of the guard.
He Is impertinent, insolent, your
highness. You will report to me tomor
row, sir, at 9 o'clock In Colonel Quin-
nox's quarters. Now, go!" commanded
the count.
Wait a minute, Baldos. We are go
ingout too. Will you open that win
dow for me?" Baldos gladly took it as
a command and threw open the long
French window. She gave him a grate
ful glance as she stepped through, and
he could scarcely conceal the gleam of
Joy that shot into his own eyes. The
dark scowl on the count's face made
absolutely no impression upon him. He
closed the window and followed ten
paces behind the couple.
"Your guard Is a priceless treasure,"
said the count grimly.
"That's what you said about the can
dlestick," said she sweetly.
She was disturbed by his threat to
reprimand Baldos. For some time her
mind had been struggling with what
the count had said about "the lesson."
It grew upon her that her friend had
been bullied and humiliated, perhaps
in the presence of spectators. Resent
ment fired her curiosity into action.
While the general was explaining one
of the new gun carriages to the count
ess Beverly walked deliberately over to
where Baldos was standing. Haddan's
knowledge of English was exceedingly
limited, and he could understand but
little of the rapid conversation. Stand
ing squarely in front of Baldos, she
questioned him in low tones.
"What did he mean when he said he
had given you a lesson?" she demand
fd. His eyes gleamed merrily.
"He meant to alarm your highness."
"Didn't he give you a talking to?"
"He coached me in ethics." '
"You are evading the question, sir.
Was he mean and nasty to you? Tell
me; I want to know."
"Well, he said things that a soldier
must endure. A civilian or an equal
might have run him through for it, your
highness." A flush rose to his cheeks,
and his lips quivered ever so slightly.
But Beverly saw and understood. Her
heart was in her eyes.
"That settles it," she said rigidly.
"You are not to report to him at 9
tomorrow."
"But he will have me shot, your
highness," said he gladly.
"He will do nothing of the kind. You
are my guard." And her eyes were
gleaming dangerously. Then she re
joined the group, the members of
which had been watching her curious
ly. "Count Marlanx," she said, with
entrancing dimples, "will you report
to me at 9 tomorrow morning?"
"I have an appointment," he said
slowly, but with understanding.
"But you will break it I am sure,"
she asserted confidently. "I want to
give you a lesson in In lawn tennis."
Later on, when the victoria was well
away from the fort. Dagmar took her
companion to tusic tor tioiamg in pub
lic friendly discourse with a member
of the guard, whoever he might be.
"It is altogether contrary to custom
and"- But Beverly put her hand over
the critical lips and smiled like a
guilty child.
"Now, don't scold," she pleaded, and
1,1 nnimtsa could bo no further.
The following morning Count Mar
lanx reported at 9 o'clock with much
better grace than he had suspected
himself capable of exercising. What
she taught him of tennis on the royal
courts In the presence of an amused
audience was as nothing to what he
learned of strategy as It can be prac
ticed by a whimsical girl. Almost be
fore he knew It she bad won exemp
tion for Baldos, that being the stake
for the first set of singles. To his
credit, the count was game. He took
the wager, knowing that he In his
Ignorance could not win from the
blithe young expert in petticoats. Then
he offered to wager the brass candle
stick against her bracelet. She consid
ered for a moment and then In a spirit
of enthusiasm accepted the proposition.
After all, she coveted the candlestick.
Half an hour later an orderly was rid
ing to the fort with instructions to re
turn at once with Miss Calhoun's can
dlestick. It is on record that they
were "love" sets, which goes to prove
that Beverly took no chances.
Count Marlanx, puffing ami perspir
ing, his Joints dismayed and his bruiu
confused, rode away at noon with
Baron Dangloss. Beverly, quite happy
hi her complete victory, enjoyed a nap
of profound sweetness and then was
ready for her walk with the princess.
They were strolling leisurely about the
beautiful grounds, sufe In the Bhade of
the trees from the heat of the July sun,
when Baron Dangloss approached.
"Your royal highness," he began,
with his fierce smile, "may I beg a mo
ment's audience?"
"It has to do with Baldos, I'll take
oath," said Beverly with conviction.
"Yes, with your guard. Yesterday he
visited the fortress. He went in an offi
cial capacity, it is true, but he was
privileged to study the secrets of our
defense with alarming freedom. It
would not surprise me to find that this
stranger has learned everything there
is to know about the fort." His listen
ers were silent. The smiles left their
faces. "I am not saying that he would
betray us"
"No, no!" protested Beverly.
"but he is in a position to give the
most valuable information to an ene
niv. An officer has Just Informed me
that Baldos missed not a detail In re
gard to the armament or the location
of vital spots In the construction of the
fortress."
"But he wouldn't be so base as to use
his knowledge to our undoing!" cried
Yetlve seriously.
"We only know that he Is not one of
us. It Is not beyond reason that his al
legiance is to another power Daws
bergeu, for Instance. Count Marlanx Is
not at all in sympathy with him, you
are aware. He is convinced that Ba'-
Baldos stood at the window.
dos is a man of consequence, possibly
one of our bitterest enemies, and he
hates him. For my own part, 1 may
say that I like the man. I believe he is
to be trusted, but if he be an agent of
Volga or Gabriel, his opportunity has
come. He Is in a position to make ac
curate maps ofthe fort and of all our
masked fortifications along the city
walls." Beyond a doubt the baron was
worried.
"Neither am I one of you," said Bev
erly stoutly. "Why shouldn't I prove
to be a traitress?"
"You have no quarrel with us. Miss
Calhoun," said Dangloss.
"If anything happens, then, I am to
be blamed for It!" she cried in deep
distress. "I brought him to Edelweiss,
and I believe In him."
"For his own sake, your highness,
and, -Miss Calhoun, I suggest that no
opportunity should be given him to
communicate with the outside world.
We cannot accuse him, of course, but
we can protect him. I come to ask
your permission to have him detailed
for duty only In -places where no sus
picion can attach to any of his ac
tions." "You mean inside the city walls?"
asked Yetlve.
"Yes, your highness, and as far as
possible from the fortress."
"I think It Is a wise precaution.
Don't be angry, Beverly," the princess
said gently. "It is for his own sake,
you see. I am acting on the presump
tion that he is wholly Innocent of any
desire to betray us."
"It would be easy for some one high
In position to accuse and convict him,"
8aiu uaugloss meaningly.
"And it would be just like some one,
too," agreed Beverlv. her thnnoi.ta
with the others', going toward none
out one man "bigh In power."
Later In the day she called Baldos
m . -Hie rt
io her wee ns uu-y were rtamg sr. t
castle avenue. She was determined to
try a little experiment of her own.
"Baldos, what do you think of the
fortress?" she asked.
"I could overthrow It after half an
hour's bomlmrdmeut, your highness,"
he answered without thinking. She
started violently.
"Is It possible? Are there so many
weak points?" Bhe went on, catching
her breath.
"There are three vital points of weak
ness, your highness. The magazine can
be reached from the outside If one
knows the lay of the land, the parade
grouud exposes the uiumuuitiou build
lug to certain disadvantages and the
big guns could be silenced In an hour
If an enemy had the sense first to bom
bard from the elevation northeast of
the city."
"Good heavens!" gasped poor Bever
ly. "Have you studied all this out?"
"I was once a real soldier, your high
ness." he said BlmpiyC "It was impos
sible for me not to see the dufwito In
your fort." -
"You you haven't told ally one r
this, have you?" she cried, white fucen
and anxious.
"No one but your highness. You do
uot employ uie as a talebearer, I trust,"
"I did not mean to question your
honor," she said. "Would you mind
going before the heads of the war de
partment and telling them Just what
you lyive told me? I mean about the
weak spots.",
"If It la your command, your high
ness," he said quietly, but he was sur
prised. "You may expect to bo summoned,
then, so bold yourself In readiness.
And Baldos"
"Yes, your highness?"
"You need say nothing to them of
our having talked the mutter over be
forehandunless they pin you down to
it, you know."
CHAPTER XV.
f . 1 FEW hours later all was dark
A I and silent within the castle. On
y tbo stone walks below the
I steady tread of sentinels rose
on the still air. In the hallways the
trusted . guardsmen glided about like
specters or stood like statues. An hour
before the great edifice had been bright
and full of animation. Now it slum
bered. It was 2 o'clock. The breath of roses
scented the air; the gurgle of fountains
was the only music that touched the
ear. Beverly Calhoun, dismissing Aunt
Fanny, stepped from her window
out upon the great stone balcony. A
rich oriental dressing gown, loose and
comfortable, was her costume. Some
thing told her that sleep would be a
long time coming, and an hour in the
warm, delightful atmosphere of the
night was more attractive thon the
close, sleepless silence of her own room.
Every window along the balcony was
dark, proving that the etitlre household
had retired to rest.
She was troubled. The fear had en
tered her bead that the castle folk
were regretting the advent of Baldos,
that every one was questioning the wis
dom of his being in the position he
occupied through her devices. Her talk
with him did much to upset her tran
quillity. That he knew so much of the
fortress bore out the subtle suspicions
of Dangloss and perhaps others. . She
was troubled, not that she doubted
him, but that if anything went wrong
an accusation against him, however
unjust, would be difficult to overcome.
And she would be to blame In a large
degree.
For many minutes she sat In the
dark shadow of a great pillar, her el
bows upon the cool balustrade, staring
dreamily into the star studded vault
above. Far away In the air she could
see the tiny yellow lights of the monas
tery, lonely sentinel on the mountain
top. From the heights near that abode
of peace and penitence an enemy
could destroy the fortress to the south.
Had not Baldos told her so? One big
gun would do the work If It could be
taken to that altitude. Baldos could
draw a perfect map of the fortress.
He could tell precisely where the shells
should fall. And already the chief
men In Edelweiss were wondering who
he was and to what end be might util
ize his knowledge. They were watch
ing him; they were warning her.
For the first time since she came to
the castle she felt a sense of loneliness,
a certain uiihappiness. She could not
shake off the feeling that she was,
after all, alone In her belief In Baldos.
Her heart told her that the tall,
straightforward fellow she had met in
the hills was as honest as the day.
She was deceiving him, she realized,
but he was misleading no one. Off in
a distant part of the castle ground she
could see the long square shadow that
marked the location of the barracks
and mess room. There he was sleep
ing, confidently believing in her and
her power to save him from all harm.
Something In her soul cried out to him
that she would be stanch and true and
that he might sleep without a tremor
of apprehensiveness.
Suddenly she smiled nervously and
drew back Into the shadow of the pil
lar. It occurred to her that he might
be looking across the moonlit park,
looking directly at her through all that
shadowy distance. She was conscious
of a strange glow .In her cheeks and a
quickening of the blood as she pulled
the folds of her gown across her bare
throat
"Not the moon, nor the stars, nor the
light In St Valentine's, but the black
thing away off there on the earth,"
said a soft voice behind her, and Bev
erly started as If the supernatural had
approached her. She turned to face
the princess, who stood almost at her
Bide.
"Yetlve! How did you get here?"
"That is what you are looking at
dear." went on Yetlve as if completing
her charge. fWhy are you not In bed?"
you,
asms 5rr5
came over her ti y tt
uer arm about itoX Cv
"I uave been Wat.. i
n hour." she Bu,d ge ,g?'r
look at the moon "nuL
oe? I,tltn,yKrt;8irS1eU,
us sit here together i! Ca8tll!' l
awhile." fe 6r dear. and t
"You dear Yetlve," and n
I'or down beside her on
'"But listen. I mnt ZT
thing out of your Jad V-'
looking at anything inVv M
, "Overly, I bele S?,ar" T
tag of Baldos," said the U0C?
Rem straying fondly aero 1 l,8'
soft hair. 088 to girl',
"Ridiculous!" said Beverlv
for the first time that hTwa?
out of her thoughts. Tha W k:
came like a blow, aud her , W
very wide out there h,
And you are troubled on u, 1
count I know It, dear. yJ5 1 U
"Well Yetlve, why should?. . 1
worried? 1 brought him
his will," protested Bevevh ,,
thing Bhould happen to him-lsil.1
dcred Involuntarily.
"Don't be afraid, Beverlv u '
much confidence In him L J
Us eyes are true. tireufuH
In him, too, and g0 does Mr a,' ,
Orea says he would swear by him
matter who he Is." 'tlJ
pe'iSf th0'0th''sr 4
"Baron Daugloss Is his friend and J
Is Qulnnox. They know a mm T,
count Is different." ' ,
'""8 ago,"
i
: yard-
1
! M31
f rods'
j J.l
tan"'
M
t spray
I R.
I pare
! Ml-
l visi'
I days
1 Fn
town
I fin
1 do
ai'
Hon1
I En
I
prat
Jo
I team
I fori
! Pat
"I loathe that old wrMii
"IIllMhl tT lina .,t .'. 'I. i
any way."
"But ho has been unfair and J
to Baldos." , y
"It Is a soldier's lot, my dear." I
"But he may be I'rluce Dantan or
Frederic or the other one, don't m
know," argued Beverly, clinching y
hands firmly.
"In that event he would be an hoi
oruble soldier, and we have nothing tir
fear. In hliu. Neither of them K
enemy. It is the possibility that he li :
not one of tlnmi that makes his pm
ence here look dangerous." t
"I don't want to talk about him,''
said Beverly, but she was dlsuppoltt '
ed when the princess obliging -changed
the subject.
Baldos was not surprised, sc-artd;
more than Interested,. wbeu, a daj ,
two later, he was suiumoued to appet"
before the board of Btrategy. Hut
one had told hlui, however, tint oat
recent night a pair of dreunij graj
eyes had tried to Dad his window la
the great black shadow he uilghttat
jumped In amazement aud delist
For at that very hour he was looking
off toward the castle, and his thought
were of the girl who drew back Into :
the shadow of the pillar. i
The Graustark ministry had recnN,
news from the southern frontier. M
sengers came In with the alurmlug iml '
significant report that Duwsteset;
was strengthening her fortifications In '
the passes and "moving war suppto;
northward. If meant that Gabriel and ;
his people expected a tight and wert
preparing for It. Couut Halfont hasti l
ly called the mlulsters together, aai
Lorry and the princess took part la
their deliberations. General Mate .
represented the army, and It wai at J
who finally asked to have Balis j
brought before the council. ;
The Iron Count plainly Intimated ttit ;
the new guard was in a position to J
transmit valuable Information to ft
enemy. Colonel Qulnnox sent for bin
and Baldos was soon standing In th
presence of Yetive and her advls ,
He looked about him with a singular ;
smile. The one whom be was supposed t
to regard as the princess was not In i
the council chamber. Lorry opened
examination at the request of Count
Halfont. the premier. Baldos quietly
answered the questions concerning W
present position, his age, his term of r
enlistment and his Interpretation's
the obligations required of him.
; (TO BE CONTINUED.) J
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