Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-01-18

cd when the princess obligingly
changed the subject
Radios was not surprised, scarcely
more than interested, when, a day OF
two later. he was summoned to appear
before the board of strategy III any
one had told him, however, that on
recent night pair of dreamy gray
ewes had tried to find his window III
the great black shadow he might nave
iumped in amazement and delight
| For at that very hour he was looking
of toward the castle, and his Thoughts
vrara NJ the girl who drew back into
/ the shadow OF the pillar.
The Graustark ministry had received
news from the southern frontier. Mes
sengers came In with the alarming ana
signifcant report that Dawseergen
was strengthening her fortiticatons ln
the passes and moving war supplies
northward. 1t meant that Ga0riel ana
his people expected a fight and were
preparing for 1t. Count Halfont hasti.
" called the ministers together. ana
Lorry and the princess took part IN
their deliberations. General Marlan1
represented the army, and 1t was he
who finally asked to have Baluos
brought before the council.
The Iron Count plainly intimated that
the new guard was in a position 10
transmit valuable information to the
enemy. Colonel Quinnox sent for him.
and Baldos was soon standing In the
presence Of Yetive and her advisers.
He looked about him with singular
smile. The one whom he was supposed
to regard as the princess was not In
the council chamber. Lorry opened the
examination at the request OF Count
Halfont, the premier. Baldos quietly
answered the questions concerning his
present position. his age, his term or
enlistment and his interpretations OF
the obligations required Of him.
ASK him who he really Is" suggest
ed the Iron Count sarcastcaliy.
I'VE can expect but one answer to
that question" said Lorry, and that
Is the one which he chooses to give"
my name is Baldos-Paul Baldos,"
said the guard, but he said it in such
way that no one could mistake his ap-
probation of the fact that he could give
one name as well as another and still
serve his own purposes.
THAT is lie number one" observed
Marlanx loudly. Every eye was turned
upon Baldos. but his face did not lose
Its half mocklng expression of seren-
lty.
Proceed with the examination. Mr..
Lorry." said Count Halfont. interpret
ing a quick glance from Yetive.
Are you willing to answer any and
all questions we may ask In connection
with your observations since you BE-
came a member of the castle guardr'
asked Lorry. :-....
II am"
did you take especial care to study
the interior OF the fortress when you
were there several days agoT
IL did"
Have you discussed your observa-
lions with any one since that timer
IL have"
with whom"
with her highness the princess
said Baldos without a Quiver. There
was moments silence. and furtive
looks were cast in the direction of Ye-
tive. whose face was study. Almost
instantaneously the entire body Of lis
teners understood that he referred TO
Beverly Calhoun. Baldos felt that he
had been summoned before the board
at the lnstigaton of his fair protect
ress
And your impressions have gone no
farther"
They have not. sir 1t was most
confidential"
Gould YOU accurately reproduce the
plans Of the fortress?"
81 think so. 1t would be very SIM
pie"
Have you studied engineering?"
Yes"
And you could scientifically enumer-
ate the defects in the construction OF
the fort?'
1T would not be very difficult. sir"
1T has come to our ears that you
consider the fortress weak in several
particulars, Have you so stated at
any timeT
Il told the princess that the fortress /
is deplorably weak. In fact, | think |
mentioned that II could be taken with
ease. He was not looking at Count |
Marlanx. lut he knew that the old
mans eyes were hamlng. Then he
proceeded to tell the board how he
could overcome the fortress. elaborat-
ing on his remarks to Beverly. The
ministers listened in wonder to the
words of this calm, Indifferent Young
man,
'Will you oblige us by making a
Vugh draft of the forts INTERIOR ask |
d Lorry after a solemn pause. Bal
los took the paper and in remarkably |
quick time drew the exact lay Of the |
fortress The sketch went the rounds .
aud apprehenSive looks were exchang |
ed 10y the ministers.
ut is accurate, by Jove," exclaimed /
Lorry Il doubt II a dwener in the /
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