The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-10-12

Ell Lorry after solemn pause. Bal
dos took the paper and in remarkably
quick time drew the exact lay of the
fortress. The sketch went the rounds
and apprehensive looks were exchang-
ed by the minister's
1T is accurate by Jove.' exclaimed
Lorry. Il doubt if dweller in the
fort could do better. You must have
been very observing"
And very much interested" snarled
Marlanx.
"Only so far as | imagined my OBJ
servations might be of benefit to some
one else" said Baldos coolly. Again
silence was like death.
do you know what you are say
ing. Baldos?" asked Lorry after a mo-
ment
Certainly. Mr.. Lorry. 1t Is the duty
of any servant of her highness to give
her all that he has in him. II my OBJ
seryations can be of help to her feel
In duty bound to make the best of
them for her sake, not for my own"
Perhaps you can suggest mOdifica-
tons in the fort" snarled Marlanx.
why don't you do 1t. sir. and let us
have the benefit Of your superior intel
ligence? No, gentlemen, all this pratt
ing of loyalty need not deceive u.s." he
cried, springing to his feet. 1.-The fell
low Is nothing more nor less than an
internal spy, and the Tower is the place
for him! He can do no harm there"
'If 1t were my intention to do harm,
gentlemen, do you imagine that
should withhold my information for
daysY asked Baldos. "If am spy
you may rest assured that Count Mar
lanx's kindnesses should not have been
so long disregarded. A spy does not
believe in delays"
"My-my kindnessesT cried Mar
lanx. What do you mean, sirT'
II mean this. Count Marlanx," said
Baldos, looking steadily into the eyes
Of the head of the army. ut was kind
and considerable of you to ad2lit me to
the fortress, no matter in what capaci-
ty, especially at a critical time like this.
You did not know me, you had no way
of telling whether my intentions were
honest or otherwise, and yet was per-
mitted to go through the fort from end
to end. No spy could wish for greater
generosity than that"
An almost imperceptibie smile went
around the table, and every listener
but one breathed more freely. The
candor and boldness Of the guard won
the respect and confidence of all except
Marlanx. The Iron Count was white
with anger. He took the examination
out of Lorry's hands and piled the
stranger with insulting questions, each
calm answer making him more furious
than before. At last, In sheer impo-
tence, he relapsed into silence, waving
his hand to Lorry to indicate that he
might resume.
you will understand, Baldos. that
we have some cause for apprehension"
said Lorry, immensely gratified by the
outcome of the tilt. You are a stran-
ger, and. whether you admit it or not,
there is reason to believe that you are
not what you represent yourself to
be-"
Il am humble guard at present. sir,
and loyal one. Ny life is yours
should l prove otherwise.
Yetive whispered something in Lor-
rvs ear at this juncture. She was Wis
ibly pleased and excited. He looked
doubtful for an instant and then APP
parently followed her suggestion. re-
CARELESS Of consequences.
would you be willing to utilize your
knowledge as an engineer by suggest
ing means to strengthen the fortressT
The others stared In fresh amazement
Marlanx went as white as death.
"Never" he blurted out hoarsely.
II will do anything the princess com
mands me to do" said Baldos easily.
You mean that you serve her onlyr
81 serve her first, sir II she were here |
she could command me to die, and |
there would be an end to Baldos:" And |
he smiled as he said 1t. The real prin- |
cess looked at him with a new, eager !
expression, as IL something had just |
become clear to her. There was a |
chorus of coughs and round of sly |
looks.
"Ehe could hardly ask you to die"
said Yetive, addressing him for 1.-The |
FIRST time. ~
"A princess. is like April weather.
madam saiu Baldos. with rare hui
NOR. and the laugh was general. Ye-
tive resolved to talk privately with this
excellent wit before the,hour was oyer.
She was confident that he knew her to
be the princess.
II would like to ask the fellow an
other question" said Marlanx, finger
ing his sword hilt nervously. You. say
you serve the princess. Do you mean
by that that you imagine your duties
as a soldier to comprise dancing polite
attendance within the security of
these wallsT"
II believe enlisted as member of
the castle guard, sir. The duty Of the
guard is to protect the person of the
ruler of Graustark and to do that to
the DEATH"
TT is my belief that you are a spy
You can show evidence of good faith