The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-03-13

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 Calhoun?" Baldos looked
thankful for this eminently leading
question. In a fash it gave him the
KEY to the situation. Secretly he was
wondering what emotions possessed
the slender acconplice 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
bery near the park wall.
"It is not true" he said clearly in
answer to Lorry's question. Both Bev-
erly and Slarlanx started as the sharp
falsehood fell from his lips. "Wno
made such an accusation?" he demand
ed.
"Cornt MarIanx is our informant"
aThen Count Marlanx Hes," cam
coolly from the guard. a snarl OF fury
burst from the throat Of the deposef
general. His eyes were red and MS
tongue was half palsied by rage.
"Dog! Dogrr' he shouted, running
down the steps. Infamous dog!
swear by my soul that he"--
"Where is your proof, Count Mar
lanx ?'asternly 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 Iun
minute. It was Beverly Calhoun who
spoke first. She was as calm as
spring morning.
"If all this be true, Count Marlanx,
may ask why you, the head Of Grau-
stark's army, did not intercept the spy
when you had the chance?"
Marlanx flushed guiltily. The cues
ton had caught him unprepared. He
dared not acknowledge his presence
there with the hired assassins.
Ill was not in a 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 chapeEto pray?
Besides, what right had you to enter
the castle in the night?" she asked iron
ica1ly.
"Your highness, may be heard"
asked Baldos easily. He was smiling
ND at YetiYe from the bottom Of the
steps. She nodded her head trife un-
easily. 'Tt is quite true that / left the
castle by means Of your secret passage
hst night"
.aTherew shrieked Marlanx. "He ad-
mits that he'-
"But 1 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. VIII your highness
kindly look in the direction Of the
southern gate? Your august gaze may
fall upon the reclining figure Of a boy
asleep there in the shadow Of the
friendly cedar. II Count Marlanx had
looked closely enough last night he
might have seen that it was boy whc
went with me and not
"Fool! Don't you suppose know q
woman's skirts?' cried the Iron Count
"Better than most men, I fancy"
calmly responded Baldos. "My young
friend wore the garments Of q woman,
let me add"
Lorry came down and grasped Bal
dos by the arm. His eyes were stern
and accusing. Above, Yetive and Bev-
erly had clasped hands and We're look
ing on dumbly What did Baldos mean?
''Then, you did so through the pas
sage? And you were accompanied by
this boy, a stranger? How comes this,
sir?" demanded Lorry. Every eye was
accusing the guard at this juncture.
The men were descending the steps as
if to surround him.
cit is not the first time that I have
gone through the passage, sir" said
Baldos, amused by the looks Of con-
sternation. "Pd advise yau to close it.
Its secret is known to more than one
person. 1t Is known, by the way, to
Prince Gabriel Of Dawsbergen. It is
known to every member Of the band
with which Miss Calhoun found me
when she was a princess. Count Mar