Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-04-02

~ VALDOS started of at once for
Xxi the castle, his heart singing.
H 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 1t
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 MarIanx 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
peretiye. He was to serve as an inner
glard 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 a special guarl was to be station
ed near the door All of this was un-
known to Baldos, but he did not ask
for any explanations.
He was halfway to the castle when
the sharp report of a gun startled
him. A bullet whlzzed close to his ear!
Baldos broke into crouching 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 in 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
. NNANs hC NoOlly answered..
Impossible"
Il 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 agitated questions than he could
answer.
And did you not pursue the
wretehI" cried the princess.
"No, your hIghness. was command
ed to report TO you at once. Only the
success Of the assassin could have
made newell, hesitate" said he
calmly. "A soldier has but to obey"
"Do you think there was a deliber-
ate attempt to KIN your asked the
Countess Dagmar. Beverly Calhoun
was dumb with CONSERVATION.
Il cannot say. madame. Possibly IT
was an accidental discharge. One
should not make accusations unsup-
ported If you have no Immediate
need Of my services. your highness, !
VIII ask you to grant me leave OF abb
Sence for half an hour. have a pc
culiar 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
10 stay right here In the castle. sir.
We have something else for you to do. !
It was that awful old MarIanx who |
ihOt at you He
Il left General Marlanx In Colonel !
luinnOx's quarters. Miss Calhoun" IN /
ierpOsed BaldOs grimly. 'Ie could 4
not have fred the shot. For two or 4
hree nights. your hlghness, have
'een followed and dOgged with Lumill-
ting persistence by two men wearing
be uniforms OF castle guards. They
10 not sleen at the barracks. May
SIX what have done to be subNltted 1
o such treatmentT' There was a /
race OF poorly concealed Indignation
n his voice.
Il assure you that this Is news to
ne" said Yetive In amazement.
Il am being watched as II were a
ommOn thief" be went on boldly.
These men are not your agents; they
re not the agents Of Graustark. May
be permitted to say that they are
pies set upon ne by man who has
n object IN disgraclng met Who that
ian Is leave to your royal eOnjec-
ne"