Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-02-26

is the one which he chooses 10 give"
"My name is Ba.dos- 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 Civ
one name as wei as another and still
serve his own purposes.
''That Is lie number one" observed
MarIanx loudly. Every eye was turned
upon Baldos. but his face did not lost
It's half mocking expression of seren
ity.
Proceed with the examination, Mr.
Lorry," said Count Halfont, interpret
ing 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 guard 2"
asked Lorry.
II am"
'Did you take especial care to study
the interior of the fortress when you
were there several days agoT'
II did"
"Have you discussed your obserYa-
tons with any one since that timer
II have"
with whomT"
with her highness the princess"
said Baldos without quiver. There
was moments silence, and furtive
looks were cast in the direction of Ye-
tive, whose face was a study. Almost
tnstantaneously 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 instigation of his fair protect
ress.
"And your impressions have gone no
fartherY
"They have not, sir. It was most
confidential"
Gould you accurately reproduce the
plans Of the fortress?"
Il 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 fCrtT
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, time"
Il told the princess that the fortress
Is deplorably weak. In fact, think
mentioned that 1t could be taken with
ease" He was not looking at Count
Marlanx, but he knew that the oil
mans eyes were flaming. 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 obllge us by making a
rough draft of the forts lnterior% ask
ed Lorry after a solemn pause. Bal
dos took the paper and in remarkably |
quick time drew the exact lay of the |
fortress. The sketch went the rounds |
and apprehensive looks were exchang
ed by the ministers.
"It is accurate, by Jove," exclaimed
Lorry. 81 doubt If dweller in the
fort could do better. You must have
been very observing"
"And very much Interested" snarled
Marlanx.
only so far as | imagined my OBJ
servations might be of benefit to some
one else" said Baldos coolly. Again
silence was like death
do you know what you are say
Ing BaldosY asked Lorry after a mo-
ment.
Certainly, Mr.. Lorry. 1t is the duty
of any servant of her highness to give
her all that he has in him. If my OBJ
servations can be of help to her feel
in duty bound to make the best of
them for her sake, not for my own"
Perhaps you can suggest moditica-
tiOns in the fort" snarled Marlanx.
why don't you do it. sir, and let us
have the benefit of your superior intel
ligence? No, gentlemen, all this pratt
ing of loyalty need not deceive u.s." he
cried, springing to his feet. ",The fel-
low is nothing more nor less than an
Internal spy, and the Tower is the place
for him! He can do no harm there"
IF it We're my intention to do harm,
do you imagine that l
should withhold my information for
days?" asked Baldos. "If l am a spy
you may rest assured that Count Mar
lanx's kindnesses should not have been
30 long disregarded. A spy does not
believe in delays"
"My-my kindnesses2" cried Mar
lanx. 'What do you mean, STRIP
Il mean this, Count Marlanx," said
Baldos, looking steadily into the eyes
Of the head of the army. at was kind
and considerate Of you to admit me to
The fortress, no matter in what capaci-
", especially at critical time like this.
You did not know me, you had no way
If telling whether my intentions were
honest or otherwise, and yet was per- !
nitted to go through the fort from end !
o end. No spy could wish for greater :
than that" !
An almost imperceptibIe smile went :
round the table, and every listener :
ut one breathed more freely. The !
andor and bOldness OF the guard won .