Part 38 (1/2)

”I think I understand the situation,” exclaimed Marlanx, suddenly triumphant. ”It bears out all that I have said. Baldos left the castle last night, as I have sworn, but not for the purpose of escaping. He went forth to carry Information to our enemies. Can anyone doubt that he is a spy? Has he not returned to carry out his work? And now, gentlemen, I ask you--would he return unless he felt secure of protection here?”

It was a facer, Yetive and Beverly felt as though a steel trap suddenly had been closed down upon them. Lorry and Anguish were undeniably disconcerted. There was a restless, undecided movement among the ministers.

”Colonel Quinnox, will you fetch Baldos to the verandah at once?” asked Lorry, his quick American perception telling him that immediate action was necessary. ”It is cooler out there.” He gave Beverly a look of inquiry. She flushed painfully, guiltily, and he was troubled in consequence.

”As a mere subject, I demand the arrest of this man,” Marlanx was saying excitedly. ”We must go to the bottom of this h.e.l.lish plot to injure Graustark.”

”My dear count,” said Anguish, standing over him, ”up to this time we have been unable to discern any reasons for or signs of the treachery you preach about. I don't believe we have been betrayed at all.”

”But I have absolute proof, sir,” grated the count.

”I'd advise you to produce it. We must have something to work on, you know.”

”What right have you to give advice, sir? You are not one of us. You are a meddler--an impertinent alien. Your heart is not with Graustark, as mine is. How long must we endure the insolence of these Americans?”

The count was fuming with anger. As might have been expected, the easy-going Yankees laughed unreservedly at his taunt. The princess was pale with indignation.

”Count Marlanx, you will confine your remarks to the man whom you have charged with treachery,” she said. ”You have asked for his arrest, and you are to be his accuser. At the proper time you will produce the proof. I warn you now that if you do not sustain these charges, the displeasure of the crown will fall heavily upon you.”

”I only ask your highness to order his arrest,” he said, controlling himself. ”He is of the castle guard and can be seized only on your command.”

”Baldos is at the castle steps, your highness,” said Colonel Quinnox from the doorway. The entire party left the council-chamber and pa.s.sed out to the great stone porch. It must be confessed that the princess leaned rather heavily upon Lorry's arm. She and Beverly trembled with anxiety as they stood face to face with the tall guard who had come back to them so mysteriously.

Baldos stood at the foot of the stone steps, a guard on each side of him. One of these was the shamefaced Haddan, Dangloss's watchman, whose vigil had been a failure. The gaze of the suspected guard purposely avoided that of Beverly Calhoun. He knew that the slightest communication between them would be misunderstood and magnified by the witnesses.

”Baldos,” said Lorry, from the top step, ”it has come to our ears that you left the castle surrept.i.tiously last night. Is it true that you were aided by Miss Calhoun?” Baldos looked thankful for this eminently leading question. In a flash it gave him the key to the situation. Secretly he was wondering what emotions possessed the slender accomplice who had said good-bye to him not so many hours before at the castle gate. He knew that she was amazed, puzzled by his sudden 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 un.o.bserved, and had s.n.a.t.c.hed a few hours' sleep in the shelter of the shrubbery near the park wall.

”It is not true,” he said clearly, in answer to Lorry's question. Both Beverly and Marlanx started as the sharp falsehood fell from his lips. ”Who made such an accusation?” he demanded.

”Count Marlanx is our informant.”

”Then Count Marlanx lies,” came coolly from the guard. A snarl of fury burst from the throat of the deposed general. His eyes were red and his tongue was half palsied by rage.

”Dog! Dog!” he shouted, running down the steps. ”Infamous dog! I swear by my soul that he--”

”Where is your proof, Count Marlanx?” sternly interrupted Lorry. ”You have made a serious accusation against our honored guest. It cannot be overlooked.”

Marlanx hesitated a moment, and then threw his bomb at the feet of the conspirators.

”I was in the chapel when she opened the secret panel for him.”

Not a word was uttered for a full minute. It was Beverly Calhoun who spoke first. She was as calm as a spring morning.

”If all this be true, Count Marlanx, may I ask why you, the head of Graustark's army, did not intercept the spy when you had the chance?”

Marlanx flushed guiltily. The question had caught him unprepared. He dared not acknowledge his presence there with the hired a.s.sa.s.sins.

”I--I was not in a position to restrain him,” he fumbled.

”You preferred to wait until he was safely gone before making the effort to protect Graustark from his evil designs. Is that it? What was your object in going to the chapel? To pray? Besides, what right had you to enter the castle in the night?” she asked ironically.

”Your highness, may I be heard?” asked Baldos easily. He was smiling up at Yetive from the bottom of the steps. She nodded her head a trifle uneasily. ”It is quite true that I left the castle by means of your secret pa.s.sage last night.”