Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-02

the secret panel for him"
Not a word was uttered for q full
minute. 1t was Beverly Calhoun who
spoke first. She was as calm as n
spring morning
"If all this be true. Count Marlanx,
may ask why you, the head Of Grau-
stark's army. did not intercept the spy
when you had the chance"
Mnrlunx flushed guilty. The Gucs
ton had caught him unprepnrcd lie
dared not acknowledge his presence
there with the hired assassins.
IL was not in position to restrain
him." he mumbled.
"You preferred to wait until he was
safely gone before making the effort to
protect Graustarl from his evil de-
signs. Is that it, What was your OBJ
ject in going to the chapel-to pray?
Besides, what right had you to enter
the castle in the nightT she asked iron
ically.
"Your highness, may be heard"
asked Baldos easily. He was smiling
up at Yetive from the bottom of the
steps She nodded her head tri6e I'M
easily. at Is quite true that I left the
castle by means Of your secret passage
last night"
"Thorew shrlckcd Maranx. "IIe ad.
mits that he
"But I wish to add that Count Mar
lanx IS in error when he says that Miss
Calhoun was my accomplish. His eyes
were not keen In the darkness of the
sanctuary. Perhaps he Is not accus-
toned to the light one finds in chapel
at the hour of 9. VIII your highness
kindly look IN the direction of the
southern gate? Your august gaze may
fall upon the reclining figure of a boy
asleep there in the shadow Of the
friendly cedar. If Count Marlanx had
looked closely enough last night he
might have seen that it was a boy who
went with me and not
Fool! Don't you suppose I know a
womans skirts?" cried the Iron Count
"Brtter than most men. fancy"
calmly responded Baldos. any young
friend wore the garments Of woman,
let me add"
dos by the arm. His eyes were stern
md accusing. Above, Yetlve and Rev-
orly had clasped hands and We're look
ing on dumbly What did Baldos mean?
Then. you did go through the pas
sagei And you We're accompanied by
this boy stranger? How comes this.
sir?" demanded Lorry. Every eye was
accusing the guard at this iuncturc.
The mon were descending the steps as
If TO surround him.
at is not the first time that I have
gone through the passage, sir" said
Baldos, amused by the looks Of con
| sternation. I'D advise you to close it.
Its secret IS known to more than one
person. 1t IS known, by the way, TO
! Prince Gabriel of Dawsbergen. 1t is
known TO every member of the band
with which Miss Calhoun found me
when she was a princess Count Mar
| lanx il quite right when he says that
I have gone in and out of the castle
| grounds from time to time. He is right
when he says that have communicat.
ed with men inside and outside of these
grounds. But he is wrong when he &C.
cuscs Miss Calhoun of being RESPONSE
bic for or even aware Of my reprehen-
sible conduct. She knew nothing of all
this, as you may judge by taking a
look ut her face at this instant"
Bevcrly's face was a study in emo
tions. She was looking at him with di
lated eyes. Pain and disappointment
We're concentrated in their expressive
gray depths; Indignation was strug
Cling to master the love and pity tina,
had lurked in her face all along. 1t re
| quireu but q single glance to convince
the most skeptical that she was igno
| rant of these astounding movements or
the part of her protegc. Again every
eye was turned upon the bold, smiling
guardsman.
Il have been bitterly deceived II
YOU" said Lorry, genuine pain in hk
voice. 1--WE trusted you implicitly.
didn't think it of you, Baldos. After
all. it is honorable of YOU TO expose Sc
thoroughly your own infamy in orlcl
to acQut an innocent person who be
levcd in you. You did not have Il
come back to the castle. You nigh
have escaped punishment by using
Miss Calhoun as shield from he
highness' wrath. But none the less 70,
compel me to give countcnAnce to al
that Count MaranX has said"
Il Insist that it was Miss Calhoun
who went through the panel with him,
said Marlanx eagerly. IF it was thi
boy who accompanied you what wa
his excuse in returning TO the castl
after you had fied:'
lie came back to watch over Mis-
Calhoun while she slept. 1t was m,
sworn duty to guard her from the mai
who had accused her. This boy Is
member OF the band to which belong
and lie watched while l went forth o.
a pretty business of my own. 1t vii
!. be useless to ask what that bushes
was. l will not tell. Nor will the boy
You may kill us, but our secrets di
with us. This much I will say: w
, have done nothing disloyal to Grar
J stark. You may believe me or not.
J has been necessary for me to commun
cate with my friends, and found tn
means soon after my arrival here. A
the foxes that live in the hills have nc
four legs" he concluded significantly.
p "You are n MARVEL exclaimed LOl
} ~, and there was real admiration |
| his voice "T'm Sprry Won >varp fo,