Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-26

0ALDOS started off at once for
the castle, his heart singing.
IT'D In the darkness of the night
he kissed the message which
had come to him from "her highness."
The envelope had been closed with the
official seal of Yetive. princess of
Graustark, and was sacred to the eyes
of any one save the man to whom 1T
was directed. The words Il contained
were burned deep in his brain:
You are ordered to report for duty in
the castle. Come at once Her hlghness
has sent an official command to Colonel
Quinnox. Count Marlanx has been here
You are not expected to desert until you
have seen me. There Is an underground
passage somewhere. d.
Baldos went alone and swiftly. The
note to Colonel Quinnox had been i'm
perctive. He was to serve as an inner
< lard until further orders. Some one,
Il was reported, had tried to enter Miss
talhouns room from the outside dur
! ing the rainstorm of the previous night,
and a special guard was to be station
ed near the door. All of this was un-
known to Baldos, but he did not ask
| for any explanations.
He was halfway to the castle when
the sharp report of gun startled
| him. A bullet whZzed close to his ear!
Baldos broke into a crouching run. but
did not change his course. lie knew
I that the shot was intended for MIN and
that its mission was to prevent him
! i'm n
ants at the castle door admitted him,
painting and excited, and he was taken
Immediately to the enchanted boudoir
of the princess. which but few men
were fortunate enough to enter. There
were three women In the room.
Il am here to report, your highness,'
said he, lowing low before the Iea'
princess, with smile upon his flushed
face.
You are prompt" said the prin
cess. what have you TO report, sir"
THAT an attempt has just beer
made to kill Il member of the castle
guard" he coolly answered.
"lmpossible"'
81 am quite certain Of it, your high
ness. The bullet almost clipped my
ear"
Good heavens" gasped the listen
ers. Then they eagerly piled him witt
more agitated questions than he coult
answer.
and did yOn not pursue tn
wretch?' cried the princess
NO. your Lighness, : was command
ed to report &c you AZ once, Only th
success of the assassin could hav
made newell, hesitate said Ii
calmly. "A soldier has out to obey"
do you think there was delibei
ate attempt to kill you?" asked tn
Countess Dasmar Beverly Calhoun
was dumb with CONSERVATION.
II cannot say, madame. Possibly
was an accidental discharge. On
should not make accusations unsuI
ported. lf You haze no immedlat
need OF my services, your highness,
will ask you to grant me leave Of al
scnce for half an hour. ] have pr
cu!iar longing TO investigator Their
was determined CLEAN in his eyes.
mo, no." cried Beverly. Don't 20
: dare to go out there again. You ar
to stay right here IN the castle. 81
We have something else for you to d.
J, 1t was that awful old MarlanX VIII
shot at you. He
81 LEFT General Marlanx in Colon'
Quinnox's quarters, Miss Calhoun" II
e terposed Baldos grimly. "IIe coul
. not have fred the shot. For two {
three nights. your highness. hav
been followed and logged with humil
I nting persistence by two men wcarin
) the uniforms Of castle guards. The
DO not sleep at the barracks. May
\ ask what have done to he submitte
TO such treatment" There was
t trace of poorly concealed indignatlo
In his voice.
I 81 assure you that this Is news
t me-" said Yetlve In amazement.
81 am being watched as II | were
I common thief" he went on boldl'
Q "These men are not your agents; the
v are not the agents Of Graustark. Ma
}. / be permitted to say that they al
n spies set upon me by man who hs
Il an object In disgracing me? Who th'
0 man Is l leave to your royal comic
= ture."
q "MarlanxT"
u "Yes, your hlghness. He bears me
!. deadly grudge and yet he fears me.
4 know full we'll that he and his agen
d have built strong case against m
IS They are almost ready to close In upt
.. me, and they will have false eviden
o SO craftily prepared that even my TT