Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-08-16

wnen ne says lnat / have commitment
ed with men inside and outside of these
grounds. But he is wrong when he ac-
cuses Miss Calhoun of being response
BILE for or even aware of my reprelien-
sible conduct. She knew nothing Of all
this, as you may judge by taking
look at her face at this Instant
Beverly's face was a study in emo
tons She was looking at him with di-
lated eyes. Pain and disappointment
were concentrated in their expressive
gray depths; indignation was strug-
Cling to master the love and pity that
had lurked in her face all along. 1t re-
quired but single glance to convince
the most skeptical that she was igno-
rant of these astounding movements on
the part of her protege. Again every
eye was turned upon the bold, smiling
guardsman.
Il have been bitterly deceived in
you," said Lorry, genuine pain in his
voice. 1--WE trusted you implicitly. l
didn't think it of you, Baldos. After
ALL it is honorable of you to expose so
thoroughly your own infamy in order
to acquit an innocent person who be-
lieved in you. You did not have to
come back to the castle. You might
have escaped punishment by using
Miss Calhoun as a shield from her
highness' wrath But none the less you
compel me to give countenance to all
that Count Marlanx has said
Il insist that 1t was Miss Calhoun
who went through the panel with him, !"
said Marlanx eagerly. IF it was this
boy who accompanied you, what was
his excuse in returning to the castle
after you had fled?"
''He came back 10 watch over Miss
Calhoun while she slept. 1t was my
sworn duty to guard her from the man
who had accused her. This boy is a
member of the band to which belong,
and he watched while ! went forth on
a pretty business of my own. 1t will
be useless to ask what that business
was. l will not tell. Nor will the boy.
You may kill US, but our secrets die
with US. This much l will say: We
have done nothing disloyal to Grau-
stark You may believe me or not. 1t
has been necessary for me to commune
cate with my friends, and | found the
means soon after my arrival here. All
the foxes that live in the hills have not
four legs" he concluded significantly.
"You are a marvel!' exclaimed Lor-
~, and there was real admiration in
his voice. I'm sorry you were fool
enough to come back and get caught
like this. Don't look surprised, gentle
men, for believe in your hearts you
admire him quite as much as / do
The faint smile that went the rounds
was confirmation enough. Nearly every
man there had been trained in English
speaking lands and not word of the
conversation had been missed.
II expected to be arrested, Mr.. Lor-
ry," said Baldos calmly. II knew that
the warrant awaited me. knew that
my flight of last night was no secret
came back willingly, gladly, your
highness, and now l am ready to face
my accuser. There is nothing for me to
fear"
"And after you have confessed to all
these actions? By George, like your
nervew exclaimed Lorry.
II have been amply indicated
cried Marlanx. "Put him in irons
and that boy too"
"We'll interview the boy" said Lor.
ry, remembering the lad beneath the
tree.
"See; he's sleeping SO sweetly," said
Baldos gently. Poor lad, he has not
known sleep for many hours. sup
pose he'll have to be awakened, poor
little beggar."
Colonel Quinnox and Haddan crossed
the grounds to the big cedar. The boy
sprang to his feet at their call and
looked wildly about. Two big hands
clasped his arms, and moment later
the slight figure came pathetically
across the intervening space between
the stalwart guards.
"Why has he remained here, certain
of arrest?' demanded Lorry in sur
prise.
HE was safer with me than. any
where else, Mr.. Lorry. You may
shoot me a thousand times, but I i'm
plore you to deal gently with my IN
happy friend. He has done no wrong
The clothes you see upon that trem-
bling figure are torturing the poor
heart more than you can know. The
burning flush upon that cheek is the
red of modesty. Your highness and
gentlemen, 1 ask you to have pity on
this gentle friend of mine" He threw
his arm about the shoulder of the
slight figure as it dropped against him
Count Marlanx was right. 1t was a
woman he saw with me in the chapel
last night"
The sensation created by this simple
statement was staggering. The flushed
face was Enthusiastically that of a young
girl, tender, modest thing that shrank
before the eyes of a grim audience