The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-08-06


Xxi the castle. his heart singing
EEB 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 it
was directed. The words it contained
were burned deep in his brain:
You are ordered to report for duty in
the castle. Come at once. Her highness
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. B.
BaldOs went alone and swiftly The
note to Colonel Quinnox had been i'm
per"tive. He was to serve as an inner
gard until further orders. Some one,
1t was reported. had tried to enter Miss
Calhoun's room from the outside dur
Ing the rainstOrm of the previous night,
and special guard was TO be station
e0 near the door. All Of this was I'M
for any explanations.
He was halfway to the castle when
the sharp report of gun startled
him. 4 bullet whiZZed close to his ear!
Baldos broke into a crOuchng run. but
did not change his course He knew
that the shot was intended for him and
that its mission was to prevent him
from reaching the castle The attend
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 i'm the room.
Il am here to report. your highness."
said he. bowling low before the real
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 been
made to kill member of the castle
guard he coOlly answered
"Impossibe."
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 with
more a@itated questions than lie could
answer.
"And did you not pursue the
wretch" cried the princess
No. your highness. l was command
cd to report to you at once. Only tho
success of the assassin could have
made Newell hesitate" said he
calmly. "A soldier has but to obey"
DO you think there was deliber-
ate attempt 10 kill you:" asked the
Countess Dasmar. Beverly Calhoun
was dumb with CONSERVATION.
Il cannot say, madame. Possibly it
was an accidental discharge One
should not make accusations unsup-
ported. II you have no immediate
need Of my services, your highness
will ask you to grant me leave OF alb
sence for half an hour. I have a pc.
cuiiar longing to Investigate" There
was determined CLEAN in his eyes
NO. no. cried Beverly. Don't you
dare to go out there again. You are
to stay right here In the castle. sir
We have something else for you to do
1t was that awful old MarlanX who
shot at you. He
II left General Marlanx In Colonel
Quinnox's quarters. Miss Calhoun" in
terposed RaldOs grimly. "He could
not have fired the shot. For two or
three nights. your hghness. l have
been followed aud dogged with humli-
ating persistence by two men wearing
the uniforms OF castle guards. They
do not sleep at the barracks. May
ask what have done to I've submitted
to such reatment?" There was a
trace Of poorly concealed indignation
fT his voice.
Il assure you that this Is news to
me-" said Yetive in amaZement
Il am being watched as il I were
common thief" he went on boldly.