Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-15
CHAPTER XVII.

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i CHAPTER XVII.
|I~1 HE was torn by conflicting emo
II>l tions. That the two friends
III had surreptitiously exchanged
~ messages doubtless by an ar
rangement perfected since he had en-
tered the service possibly within the
week-could not be disputed. When
and how had they planned the acct
dental meeting? What had been their
method Of communication? And, above
all, what Were the contents Of the mes
sages exchanged? Were they of a
purely personal nature or did they COM
prehend injury to the principality of
Graustark? Beverly could not, in her
heart, feel that Baldos was doing any,
thing inimical to the country he served,
and vet her duty and loyalty to Yetive
made 1t imperative that the transac-
ton should be reported at once. A
word to Quinnox and Ravone would be
seized and searched for the mysterious
paper. This, however. looked utterly
unreasonable, for the vagabonds were
armed and In force, while Yetive was
accompanied by but three men who
could be depended upon. Baldos, I'M
der the conditions, was not to be reck-
oned upon for support. On the other
hand, IL he meant no harm, 1t would be
cruel, even fatal, to expose him to this
charge Of duplicity. And while she
turned these troublesome alternatives
over In her mind the opportunity to
act was lost. Ravone and his men
We're gone. and the harm, IL any was
intended, was done.
From time to time she glanced back
at the guard. His face was imperturb-
able, even sphinx-like in its steadiness.
She decided to hold him personally to
account. At the earliest available mo-
ment she would demand an explana-
ton of his conduct, threatening him IL
necessary. If he proved obdurate there
was but one course left open to her.
She would deliver him up to the JUS
tice he had outraged Hour after hour
went by, and Beverly suffered more
than she could have told. The dam
age was done, and the chance to undo
| it was slipping farther and farther out
Of her grasp. She began to look upon
herself as the yilest of traitors. There
was no silver among the clouds that
marred her thoughts that afternoon.
It was late in the day when the party
returned to the castle tired out. Bey-
erly was the only one who had no long
ing to seek repose after the fatiguing
trip. Her mind was full. of unrest 1t
was necessary to question Baldos at
once. There could be no peace for her
until she learned the truth from him.
The strain became so great that at last
she sent word for him to attend her in
the park. He was to accompany the
men who carried the sedan chair, in
(which she had learned to sit with de-
Ilightful feeling Of being In the eight
eenth century.
In far corner Of the grounds, now
gray in the early dusk, Beverly babe
the bearers to act down her chair and
leave her in quiet for few minutes.
The tive men withdrew to respectful
distance, wherelpon she called Baldos
to her side. Her face was flushed with
anxiety.
"You must tell me the truth about
that transaction with Rayone," she
said, coming straight to the point.
II was expecting this, your highness,"
said he quietly. The shadows of night
were falling, but she could distinguish
the look Of anxiety in his dark eyes.
"Well7" she insisted impatiently.
"You saw the notes exchangedY
eyes, yes, and I command you to tell
me what they contained. It was the
most daring thing r.
"Your highness, cannot tell you
what passed between us. It would be
treacherous," he said firmly. Beverly
gasped in sheer amazement.
Treacherous? Good heaven, sir! To
whom do you owe allegiance-to me or
to Ravone and that band Of tramps 2"
she cried, with eyes af1re.
ITO both, your highness," he an
swered SO fairly that she was for the
moment abashed. II am loyal to you
loyal to the hearts core and yet am
loyal to that unhappy band Of tramps,
as you choose to call them. They are
my friends. You are only my sover-
eign."
And you won't tell me what passed
between your" she said, angered by
this epigrammatic remark.
II cannot and be true to myself"
"Oh, you are a glorious soldierw she
exclaimed, with fierce sarcasm in her
voice. '.You speak Of being truel !
surprise you In the very act OFF,
"Stay, your highness!" he said cold
". you are about to call me spy
and q traitor. Spare me. implore you,
that humiliation. I have sworn to serve
you faithfully and loyalty. have not
deceived you. and shall not. Paul
Baldos has wronged no man, no wom-
an. What passed between Rayone and
myself concerns us only. 1t had moth
ing to do with the affairs Of Grau-
stark"
"Of course you would say that. You
wouldn't be fool enough to tell the
truth" cried she hotly. IT am the
fool! ! have trusted you, and il any
thing goes wrong alone am to blame
for exposing poor Graustark to danger
Oh, why didn't cry out this after
noonw
II knew you would not" he said,
with cool unconcern.
"Insolence! What do you mean by
that2 she cried in confusion.
.