Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-04-23

burst from the throat OF the uepVSe'
general. His eyes were red and hi
tongue was half palsled by rage.
"Dog! Dogw he shouted, running
down the steps. Infamous dog!
swear by my soul that he"-
'eWhere is your proof, Count Mar
lanx - sternly 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 or the
cOnspirators.
Il was In the chapel when she opened
the secret panel for him."
Not a word was uttered for a. full
minute. 1t 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 ques-
ton had caught him unprepared. He
dared not acknowledge his presence
there with the hired assassins.
Ell was not in 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 chapel-to pray?
Besides, what right had you to enter
the castle In the night 2" she asked iron
ically.
"Your highness, may be heard"
asked Baldos easily. He was smiling
up at Yetive from the bottom Of the
steps. She nodded her head trif1e un-
easily. 'It is quite true that left the
castle by means Of your secret passage
last night"
"There!' shrieked Marlanx. "He ad-
mits that he"-
"But l 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 a 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 boy
asleep there in the shadow of the
friendly cedar. If Count Marlanx had
looked closely enough last night he
might have seen that 1t was boy who
went with me and not
Fool! Don't you suppose know a
wOman's skirts?'' cried the Iron Count.
Better than most men, fancy"
calmly responded Baldos. my young
friend wore the garments Of a woman,
let me add"
Lorry came down and grasped Bal.
lOs by the arm. His eyes were stern
and accusing. Above, Yetlve and Bev-
erly had clasped hands and were look
Ing on dumbly. What did Baldos mean2
"Then, you did go through the pas
sage? And you were accompanied by
this boy, a stranger? How comes this,
IlrT" demanded Lorry. Every eye was
accusing the guard at this juncture
rhe men were descending the steps as
II to surround him.
''It is not the first time that have
gone through the passage sir" said
BaldOs, amused by the looks of con-
sternation. I'D advise you to close 1t.
Its secret is known to more than one
person. 1t is known, by the way, to
Prince Gabriel Of Dawsbergen. 1t is
known to every member of the band
with which Miss Calhoun found me
when she was a princess. Count Mar
Ianx is quite right when he says that
have gone In and out of the castle
grounds from time to time. He Is right
when he says that have communicate
ed with men inside and outside of these
grounds. But he Is wrong when he ac-
cuses Miss Calhoun of being RESPONSE
BILE for or even aware of my reprehen-
sible conduct. She knew nothing of all
this, as you may judge by taking a
look at her face at this instant"
Beverly's face was a study In emo
tons. She was looking at him with di-
lated eyes. Pain and disappointment
were concentrated in their expressive
gray depths; Indignation was strug.
Cling to master the love and pity that
had lurked in her face all along. 1t re-
Quired but a single glance to convince
the most skeptical that she was igno-
rant Of these astounding movements on
the part Of her protege. Again every
eye was turned upon the bold, smiling
guardsman.
i have been bitterly deceived In
you" said Lorry, genuine pain In his
voice. I'VE trusted you implicitly. l
didn't think 1t Of you, Baldos. After
all, 1t Is honorable of you to expose SO
thoroughly your own infamy In order
to acquit an innocent person who be-
heved in you. You did not have to
come back to the castle. You might
have escaped punishment by using
Miss Calhoun as a shield from her
highness' wrath. But none the less you
compel me to give cOuntenance to all
that Count Marlanx has said"
Il insist that It was Miss Calhoun
who went through the panel with him."
said Marlanx eagerly. IF it was this
boy who accompanied you, what was
bis excuse in returning TO the castle
after you had fedf"
ITO RW CONTINURD I