The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-11-30
CHAPTER XVII.

lT~ 10TH Yetive and Beverly expert
K enced an amazing sense Of re
ID lief. They did not stop to coll
slider why or how he had re
turned to the castle grounds. 1t was
sufficient that he was actually there
sound, well and apparently satisfied.
II dare say Count Marlanx will with.
draw his infamous charge against oul
guest" said Lorry, with deadly direct.
ness. Marlanx was hopping his damp
forehead. His eyes were fastened up
on the figure of the guard, and there
was something like awe In their steely
depths. 1t seemed to him that the SUI
pernatural had been enlisted against
him.
'He left the castle last night" he
muttered, half to himself.
"There seems to be no doubt OF
that" agreed Gaspon, the grand treas
urer. Colonel Quinnox reports his
strange disappearance" Clearly the
case was puzzling one. Men looked at
one another in wonder and uneaslness.
81 think l understand the situation. y
exclaimed Marlanx, suddenly trium-
plant. ''It bears out all that / have
said. Baldos left the castle last night,
as have sworn, but not for the pur-
pose Of escaping. He went forth to
carry information to our enemies. Can
any one doubt that he is a spy? Has
be not returned to carry out his work
And now, gentlemen, I ask you-woud
be return unless he felt secure Of pro
lection herer''
It was a faces. Yetive aud Beverly
eeit az though q steel trap suddenly
had been closed down upon them. Lor.
" and Anguish were undeniably dis
concerted. There was a restless, undo.
eided movement among 'the ministers.
Colonel QuinnOx. win you fetch Bal
dos 10 the veranda at onceY asked
Lorry. his quick American perception
telling him that immediate action was
necessary. "It 10 cooler out there"
He gave Beverly look of inquiry
She flushed painfully, guilty. and ne
was troubled In consequence.
''As a mere subtect demand the
arrest Of this man." Marlaux was say.
ing excitedly. I'VE must 20 to tbs
bottom Of this hellish plot 10 lnjurs
0sauMtark"
"axy dear ep6n&." said AnguisA
SHADING Over him, up to this time We
have boon unabas to discern any Fea-
sons for or signs Of the treacbery you
preach about don't believe we have
been betrayed 1t ALL"
"But ! have absolute proof, sir"
grated the count. Fea
''Td advise you to produce It. We
must have something to work on, you
know"
"What right have you to give advice,
sir? You are not one of US. You are
a meddler--an impertinent alien. Your
heart Is not with Graustark, as mine
is. How long must we endure the in
science Of these Americana
The count was Tuning with anger.
AS might have been expected, the easy
going Yankees laughed unreservedly
at his taunt. The princess was pale
with Indignation.
''Count Marlanx. you will confine
your remarks to the man whom you
have charged with treachery," she said.
"You have asked for his arrest, and
you are to be his accuser. At the prop
er time you will produce the proof.
warn you now that IL you do not sus-
tain these charges the displeasure of
the crown will fall heavily upon YOU"
II 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 IL at the castle steps, your
said Colonel Qulnnox from
tie doorway. me entire party fAft
the council chamber and passed out to
the great stone porch. 1t must be con-
fessed that tKs btiScesS leaned rather
heavily upon Lorry@s arm. She and
trembled with anxiety as they
stood face to face with the tall guard
who had come back 10 them 90 mys-
teriousiy.
Baldos stood at the foot OF the stone
steps, q guard on each side Of him.
One Of these was the shamefaced
Haddan, Dangioss' Waterman, whose
vigil had been failure. The gaze Of |
the suspected guard purposely avoid |
ID 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
By Miss Calhounl" Baldos looked
thankfpl, ;. for this IS. sminently leading