The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-10-12
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCRE0N,
Author Of "Graustark"
e3
GopSFieht. 1904. b. Dodd.
Mead and Go1psay

4
his eyes are true. Grenfall believes
In him, too, and SO does Mr.. Aa.s ISL.
Gren says he would swear by hial. In
matter who he is"
But the others? Beverly wills
pered.
Baron Dangloss is his friend and SO
Is Qulnnox. They know man. The
count is different"
81 Ioathe that old wretchw
Hush He has not wronGed you in
any way"
but he has been unfair and mean
to Baldos."
sIt Is n soldiers lot, my dear"
But he may be Prince Dantan or
Frederic or the other one. don't you
know" argued Beverly, cllnching her
hands firmly.
"In that event he would be an hon
orable soldier, and we have nothing to
fear in him. Neither Of them is our
enemy. 1t Is the possibility that he is
not one of them that makes his pres
| ence here look dangerous"
"I don't want to tnlk about him."
! said Beverly, but she was disappOlnt-
| cd when the princess obligingly
changed the subject.
Baldos was not surprised. scarcely
more than Interested, when. a day or
| two later, he was summoned to appear
before the board of strategy. If any
one had told him, however, that on
recent night pair of dreamy gray
eyes had tried to find his window in
the great black shadow he might have
Jumped In amazement and delight
For at that very hour he was looking
on toward the castle, and his thoughts
were of the girl who drew back into
the shadow of the pillar.
The Graustark ministry had received
news from the southern frontier. Mes
sengers came In with the alarming and
significant report that Dawsbergen
was strengthening her Notifications in
the passes and moving war supplies
northward. 1t meant that Gabriel and
his people expected a fight and were
preparing for It, Count Halfont hasti-
" called the ministers together, and
Lorry and the princess took part in
represented the army, and 1t was he
who finally asked to have Baldos
brought before the council.
The Iron Count plainly intimated that
the new guard was in a position to
transmit valuable information to the
enemy. colonel Quinnox sent for him,
and Baldos was soon standing in the
presence of Yetlve and her advisers.
He looked about him with a singular
smile The one whom he was supposed
to regard as the princess was not in
the council chamber. Lorry opened the
examination at the request of Count
Halfont, the premier. Baldos quietly
answered the questions concerning his
present position. his age. his term OF
enlistment and his interpretations of
the obligations required of him.
ASK him who he really Is" suggest
ed the Iron Count sarcastically.
I'VE can expect but one answer to
that question" said Lorry. land that
is the one which he chooses to give"
my name is Baldos-Paul Baldos,"
said the guard, but he said 1t in such
way tndt uO Ohc COutO hAo
probation of the fact that he could give
one name as well as another and sill
serve his own purposes.
THAT Is lie number one," observed
Marlanx loudly. Every eye was turned
upon BaldOs, but his face did not lose
its half hooking expression OF seren-
~.
Proceed with the examination. Mr..
Lerry." said Count Halfont interpret
ing afQuIck glance from Yetive.
Are you willing to an5 wer any and
all questions we may ask In connection
with your observations since you be-
came a member Of the castle guardT'
asked Lofry. ~
s II am"
"Did you take especial care to study
d. Inferior q ths FORTRESS Whsf y6ti
were there several days agor'
II did"
Have you discussed your observa-
lions with any one since that time"
81 have" ~
with whomY'
with her highness the princess"
said Baldos without q culver. There
was a moments silence. and furtive
looks were cast In the direction Of Ye-
tive, whose face was a study. Almost
instantaneOusIy the entire body Of lis
teners understood that he referred to
Beverly Calhoun. Baldos felt that he
bad been summoned before the board
at the instigation Of his fair protect
ress.
And your impressions have gone NO
fartherT
They have not, sir. 1t was most
Gould you accurately reproduce the
plans of the fortress?"
Il think SO 1t would be very sim
ple"
Have you studied englneerlngY'
yes"
And you could scientifically enumer-
ate the defects in the construction Of
he fortr
at would not be very difficult sir"