Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-08
By
GEORGE BARR
M'GUTCHEON,
Author Of "Graustark' =
IA Z 2
0csy,,sh,. 1904. ~ poda.
Meol NJ Company

, szXsS1D A&y AEsS <Zx5al1v/
"But lie may be Prince Duntan or
Frederic or the other one, don't you
know" argued Beverly, clnching her
hands firmly.
'In that event lie 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"
81 don't want to talk about him."
said Beverly, but she was disappoint-
ed when the princess obligingly
changed the subject.
Baldos was not surprised, scarcely
more than interested, when, day or
two later, he was summoned to appear
before the board of strategy. If any
one had told him, however, that on a
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
OF 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. It meant that Gabriel and
his people expected fight and were
preparing for It. Count Halfont hasti-
II called the ministers together, aud
Lorry and the princess took part In
their deliberations. General Marlanx
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 Yetive and her advisers.
he looked about him with 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 interpr Of
the obligations required Of him.
ASK him who he really is" suggest
a the Iron Count sarcastically.
I'VE can expect but one answer to
that question" said Lorry, land that
Il the one which he chooses to give"
my name Is Baldos-Paul Baldos,"
said the guard, but he said 1t In such a
way that no one could mistake his APP
probation Of the fact that he could give
one name al well as another and still
serve his own purposes.
"That is lie number one" observed
Marlanx loudly. Every eye was turned
upon Baldos, but his face did not lose
ito half hacking expression OF seren.
III,
proceed with the examination, Mr..
Lprry," said Count Halfont. interpret.
ing quick glance from Yetive.
"Are you willing to answer any and
all questions we may ask in connection
with your observations since you be.
came member Of the castle guard7''
asked Lerry.
II am"
did you take especial care to study
the interior of the fortress when you
were there several days ago?"
II did"
"Have you discussed your obserya.
lions with any one since that timer"
II have"
with whom9"
with her highness the princess
saM Baldos without CULVER There
was a moments silence, and furtve
locks were cast in the direction Of Ye
i've, whose face was a study Almost
instantaneouslF the entire body of lis
teners understood that he referred tc
Beverly Calhoun. Baldos felt that BIZ
had been summoned before the board
ct the instgation Of his fair protect
ress.
"And your Impressions have gone NJ
farther7"
"They have not sir. It was mos
confidential"
Gould you accurately reproduce tn,
plans Of the forress7"
II think 20. It would be very sim
pie"
'Havs you studied engineeringf"
Eyes"
And you could scientifically enumer
ate the defects In the construction O
the fortY'
1T would not be very difficult. SIR"
1T has come to our ears that 70,
consider the fortress weak in severa
particulars. Have you 30 stated a
any timef"
II told the princess that the fortress
10 deplorably weak. In fact, thinl
I mentioned that 1t could be taken Will
ease" He was not looking at Coun
Marlanx, but he knew that the OLE
mans eyes were flaming. Then b,
proceeded to tell the board how b,
could overcome the fortress, elaborat
ing on his remarks to Beverly. Th,
ministers listened in wonder to tn,
words Of this calm. Indifferent younl
man.
"Will you oblige us by making 9
rough draft Of the forts interiors" ask
cd Lorry after solemn pause. Bal
dos took the paper and in remarkably
quick time drew the exact lay of thu
fortress. The sketch went the rounds
and apprehensiye looks were exchang
ed by the ministers.
ut is accurate, by Jove," exclaimed
Lorry. II doubt IL a dweller in tn