Part 35 (1/2)
Then, what was your object, sir?” she demanded sternly.
”My desire to communicate with friends who could not enter the city. Will it interest you if I say that the particular object of my concern was a young woman?”
She gasped and was stubbornly silent for a long time. Bitter resentment filled her soul, bitter disappointment in this young man. ”A young woman!” he had said, oh, so insolently. There could be but one inference, one conclusion. The realization of it settled one point in her mind forever.
”It wouldn't interest me in the least. I don't even care who she was. Permit me to wish you much joy with her. Why don't you go on?”
irritably, forgetting that it was she who delayed progress. His smile was invisible in the blackness above the lantern. There were no words spoken until after they had reached the little door in the wall.
Here the pa.s.sage was wider. There were casks and chests on the floor, evidently containing articles that required instant removal from Edelweiss in case of an emergency.
”Who was that woman?” she asked at last. The key to the door was in the nervous little hand.
”One very near and dear to me. Miss Calhoun. That's all I can say at this time.”
”Well, this is the only time you will have the chance,” she cried loftily. ”Here we part. Hus.h.!.+” she whispered, involuntarily grasping his arm. ”I think I heard a step. Can anyone be following us?” They stopped and listened. It was as still as a tomb.
”It must be the same old rat,” he answered jokingly. She was too nervous for any pleasantries, and releasing her hold on his arm, said timidly, a ”Good-bye!”
”Am I to go in this manner? Have you no kind word for me? I love you better than my soul. It is of small consequence to you, I know, but I crave one forgiving word. It may be the last.” He clasped her hand and she did not withdraw it. Her lips were trembling, but her eyes were brave and obstinate. Suddenly she sat down upon one of the chests. If he had not told her of the other woman!
”Forgive me instead, for all that I have brought you to,” she murmured. ”It was all my fault. I shall never forget you or forgive myself. I--I am going back to Was.h.i.+n'ton immediately. I can't bear to stay here now. Good-bye, and G.o.d bless you. Do--do you think we shall ever see each other again?” Unconsciously she was clinging to his hand. There were tears in the gray eyes that looked pathetically up into his. She was very dear and enchanting, down there in the grewsome pa.s.sageway with the fitful rays of the lantern lighting her face. Only the strictest self-control kept him from seizing her in his arms, for something told him that she would have surrendered.
”This is the end, I fear,” he said, with grim persistence. She caught her breath in half a sob. Then she arose resolutely, although her knees trembled shamelessly.
”Well, then, good-bye,” she said very steadily. ”You are free to go where and to whom you like. Think of me once in awhile, Baldos. Here's the key. Hurry! I--I can't stand it much longer!” She was ready to break down and he saw it, but he made no sign.
Turning the key in the rusty lock, he cautiously opened the door. The moonlit world lay beyond. A warm, intoxicating breath of fresh air came in upon them. He suddenly stooped and kissed her hand.
”Forgive me for having annoyed you with my poor love,” he said, as he stood in the door, looking into the night beyond.
”All--all right,” she choked out as she started to close the door after him.
”Halt! You are our prisoner!”
The words rang out sharply in the silence of the night. Instinctively, Beverly made an attempt to close the door; but she was too late. Two burly, villainous looking men, sword in hand, blocked the exit and advanced upon them.
”Back! Back!” Baldos shouted to Beverly, drawing his sword.
Like a flash, she picked up the lantern and sprang out of his way. Capture or worse seemed certain; but her heart did not fail her.
”Put up your sword! You are under arrest!” came from the foremost of the two. He had heard enough of Baldos's skill with the sword to hope that the ruse might be successful and that he would surrender peaceably to numbers. The men's instructions were to take their quarry alive if possible. The reward for the man, living, exceeded that for him dead.
Baldos instantly recognized them as spies employed by Marlanx. They had been d.o.g.g.i.ng his footsteps for days and even had tried to murder him, The desire for vengeance was working like madness in his blood. He was overjoyed at having them at the point of his sword. Beverly's presence vouchsafed that he would show little mercy.
”Arrest me, you cowardly curs!” he exclaimed. ”Never!” With a spring to one side, he quickly overturned one of the casks and pus.h.i.+ng it in front of him, it served as a rolling bulwark, preventing a joint attack.
”You first!” he cried coolly, as his sword met that of the leader. The unhappy wretch was no match for the finest swordsman in Graustark. He made a few desperate attempts to ward off his inevitable fate, calling loudly for his comrade to aid him. The latter was eager enough, but Baldos's strategic roll of the cask effectively prevented him from taking a hand. With a vicious thrust, the blade of the goat-hunter tore clean through the man's chest and touched the wall behind.