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

err time you VIII produce the PROOF.
warn you now that if you do not sus-
tain these charges the displeasure of
the crown will fall heavily upon you."
81 only ask your highness to order
his arrest" he said, controlling him.
self. HE is of the castle guard and
can be seized only on your command
"Baldos is at the castle steps, your
highness," said Colonel Quinnox from
the doorway. The entire party left
the council chamber and passed out to
the great stone porch. 1t must be con-
fessed that the princess leaned rather
heavily upon Lorry's arm. She and
Beverly trembled with anxiety as they
stood face to face with the tall guard
who had come back to them so myS-
teriously.
BaIdos stood at the foot of the stone
steps, a guard on each side OF him.
One of these was the shamefaced
Haddan, Dangloss' Waterman, whose
vigil had been a failure. The gaze of
the suspected guard purposely avoid
ed that of Beverly Calhoun. He knew
that the slightest communication be-
tween them would be misunderstood
and magnifed by the witnesses.
"Baldos," said Lorry from the top
step, at has come to our ears that
YOU left the castle surreptitiously last
night. Is it true that you were aided
nv Miss Calhoun?" Baldos looked
thankful for this eminently leading
question. In a fash it gave him the
kew to the situation. Secretly be was
wondering what emotions Possessed
the slender accomplice who had said
goodby to him not so many hours be-
fore at the castle gate. He knew that
she was amazed, puzzled by his sud
den return. He wondered if she were
glad. His quick wits saw that a
crisis had arrived. The air was full
of it. The dread of this very moment
was the thing which had drawn him
into the castle grounds at early dawn.
He had watched for his chance to glide
In unobserved and had snatched few
hours sleep in the shelter OF the shrub
berry near the park wall.
at is not true" he said clearly in
answer to Lorry's question. Both BeV-
erly and Marlanx started as the sharp
falsehood fell from his lips. WHO
made such an accusation?" he demand
| ed.
"Count Marlanx is our informant"
"Then Count Marlanx les" came
coolly from the guard A snarl of fury
burst from the throat of the deposed
general. His eyes were red and his
tongue was half palsied by rage.
DOG! Dogv' he shouted, running
down the steps. Infamous dog! /
swear by my soul that he''-
"Where is your proof, Count Mar
lanx ?" sternly interrupted Lorry. "You
have made serious accusation against
our honored guest. 1t cannot be over
looked"
Marlanx hesitated a moment and
then threw his bomb at the feet of the
conspirators.
81 was in the chapel when she opened
the secret panel for him.
Not a word was uttered for a full
minute. 1t was Beverly Calhoun who
| smoke first. She was as calm as a
| spring morning.
"If all this be true, Count Marlanx,
may 1 ask why you, the head of Grau-
stark's army, did not intercept the spy
| when you had the chance|
Marlanx flushed guiltily. The ques-
ton had caught him unprepared. He
dared not acknowledge his presence
| A. l.; ccsSn
"I-I was not in position to restrain
him." he mumbled.
"You preferred to wait until he was
safely gone before making the effort to
protect Graustark from his evil de-
signs. Is that it? What was your OBJ
ject in going to the chapel-to pray ?
Besides, what right had you to enter
the castle in the night?" she asked iron
ically.
"Your highness, may l be heard?"
asked Baldos easily. He was smiling
up at Yetive from the bottom of the
steps. She nodded her head trif1e IN
easily. SIT is quite true that left the
| castle by means of your secret passage
last night"
''Therew shrieked Marlanx. "He ad-
mits that he"-
"But l wish TO add that Count Mar
lanx is in error when he says that Miss
| Calhoun was my accomplice. HIS eyes
were not keen in the darkness of the
sanctuary Perhaps he is not accus-
toned to the light one finds in chapel
| at the hour of 2. Will your highness
kindly look in the direction of the
southern gate? Your august gaze may
fall upon the reclining figure of boy
asleep there in the shadow of the
friendly cedar. If Count Marlanx had
looked closely enough last night he
might have seen that it was boy who
went with me and not
"Fool! Don't you suppose know a
woman's skirts?' cried the Iron Count.
''Better than most men. / fancy"
calmly responded Baldos. ''My young