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CHAPTER VIII.
rjriY tli s time they tvitp passing
lie I the queer little huts that mark
I 111 ed the uiitskirts of a habitable
1 I community. These were the
ljunies of shepherds, hunters and oth
ers whose vocations related especial
ly to the mountains. Farther ou there
were signs of farming Interests; the
liomes became more numerous und
more pretentious in appearance. The
rock lined purge broadened into a fer
tile valley; the road was smooth and
level, a condition which afforded relief
to the travelers. Ituvoue had once
more dressed the wounds Indicted by
the lion, but he was unable to provide
anything to subdue the fever. Baldos
was undeniably ill. Beverly, between
lier exclamations of Joy and relief at
being In sight of (ianlook, was profuse
In her expressions of concern for the
tiero of the Hawk aud Haven. The
feverish gleam In his dark eyes and
the pain that marked hfs face touched
her deeply. Suffering softened bis lean,
wun browned features, obliterating the
tuocking lines that had Impressed her
So unfavorably at the outset. She was
Staying to herself that he was hand
?ome after a most unusual cast; It was
?n unforgettable face.
"Your highness," he said earnestly,
after she had looked long and anxious
ly at his half closed eyes, "we are with
in an hour of Ganlook. It will be dark
before we reach the gates, I know,
but you have nothing to fear during
the rest of the trip. Fvnns shall drive
you to the sentry post and turn over
the horses to your own men. My
friepds and I must leave you at the
and of the mountain road. We are"?
"Ridiculous!" she cried. "I'll not
permit It! You must go to a hospital."
"If I enter the Ganlook gates IX will
be the same as entering the gataa of
dentil," he protested.
"Nonsense! You have a fever or you
wouldn't tnlk like .that. I can promise
yon absolute security."
"Y'ou do not understand, your high
OCRS."
"Nevertheless, you nre going to a
hospital," she firmly snld. "You would
die out here In the wilds, so what are
the odds either way? Aunt Fanny, will
you be careful? Don't yon know that
the least movement of those bags hurts
him?"
"Please do not mind me. your hlgh
tiess. I am doing very well," be said,
?calling.
The coach brought up In front of a
, roadside Inn. Willie some of the men
Were watering the horses others gath
Wed about its open window. A con
r ]
"stunl Fanny, u>IIC you be cure I til t"
versation In a tongue utterly Incompre
hensible to Beverly took place between
lialdos and bis followers. The latter
seemed to be disturbed about some
thing, and there was no mistaking the
solicitous air with which they regard
<ed their leader. The pseudo princess
was patient as long as possible and
then broke Into the discussion.
"iVhnt do they want?" she deniuud
In Knglisb.
"They are asking for instructions,"
lie answered.
"Instruct them to do as 1 bid," she
said. "Tell them to hurry along and
.tjet you a doctor: that's all."
Xvldently his friends were of the
same opinion.for after n long harangue
In which he was obdurate to the lust
they left the carriage, and he sank
back with a groan of dejection.
"What is it?" she anxiously demaud
ed.
"They also insist that I shall go to a
Burgeon," he said hopelessly. Ilis eyes
were moist, and he could uot meet tier
gaze. She was full of exultation.
"They have advised me to put myself
' tinder your protection, shameless as
that may seem to a man. You and you
?lone have the power to protect me if
I pass beyond the walls of Uanlook "
-1?" she cried, all a-flutter.
"I could not thrust my head into the
Jaws of death unless the princess of
Uraustark were there to stay their
fury. Your royal hand alone can turn
aside the inevitable. Alas, I am help
less and know not what to do!"
Beverly Calhoun sat very straight and
ailent beside the misguided Baldos.
After all. It was not within her Dower
to protect him. She was not the prin
?cess, and she had absolutely no Influ
ence In Ganlook. The authorities there
"ou!d not be deceived as bad been these
? rnorant men of the bills. It she leu
hitii into tlie city It wan decidedly ppab- |
able that she might he taking him t >
his death. She could only petition, i
con innnd. Once at Yetlve's a! " alio
was con till cut she could save the man
who had done so much for her. hilt
diinlooU was many miles from KM
weiss. and there was no assurance that
Intervention eottld he obtained In time,
i >n the other hand, if he went back to the
hills he was likely to die of the poison
oils fever. Beverly was in n most un
happy state of mind. If she confessed
to him that she was not the princess l
he would refuse to enter the Kales of '
Oniilonk. tim! be perfectly Justified In
doiiiK s i.
"But If I should fail?" she asked at
last, a shiver riishinK over her and
leaving her eold with dread.
"You are the only hope, your high |
tiess. You had better say farewell to J
Baldos and let him again seek the )
friendly valley," said he wearily. "We
can go no farther. The soldiers must
he netir, your highness. It means cap
ture If we go on. I Vannot expose my
friends to the dangers. Bet me he put
down here and do you drive on to
snfety. I shall fare much better than
you think, for I am young and strong
and"?
"No! I'll risk It!" she cried. "You
must go Into the city. Tell them so,
'and say that J will protect you with my
own life and honor."
Fever made him submissive. Her
eyes gave him confidence. Her voice
sootliodhl* feara. If be possessed them.
I .sailing frfitll the window he called
Ills men together. Beverly looked on
In wonder as these strange men bade
farewell to their leader. Many of thorn
were weeping. and uioat of them kissed
hla hand. There were broken gen
tences, tear choke<l prom law, anxious
Inquiring, and the parting was over.
"Whore are they gotug?" Beverly
whig|N?red aa they moved away In the
dilak.
"Ihuk Into the mountains to starve,
poor follows, thai be kind to them.
Cod he good to them," he hnlf sobbed,
his nliln dropping to his breagt. He
was tromliling like a loaf.
"Starve?" alio whispered. "Have they
no money?"
"We are penniless." name In muffled \
tones from the stricken leader.
Beverly leaned from the window and
railed to the departing ones. Kavone |
and one other reluctantly approached.
Without a word she opened a small
traveling bag and drew forth a heavy j
purse. This she pressed into the hand j
of the student. It was filled with
Craustark gavvos, for which she had
exchanged American gold in Russia.
"Cod lie with you!" she fervently
cried. He kissed her hand, and the
two stood aside to let the coach roll
on Into the dusky shadows that sop
a rated them from the gates of Can
look, old Fran* still driving, the only |
one of the company left to serve his
leader to the very end.
"Well, we have left them," muttered
Baldos as though to himself. "I may
uever see them again?never see them
again. And how true they have been!"
"I shall send for tbem the moment
I get to Canlook, and I'll promise par
dons for them all!" she cried rashly in
her compassion.
"No," he exclaimed fiercely; "you are
not to disturb them. Better that they
should starve."
Beverly was sufficiently subdued As
they drew nearer the city gates her
heart began to fail her. This man's j
life was iu her weak. Incapable hands,
and the time was nearlng when she
must stand between hltn aud disaster.
"Where are these vaunted soldiers of
yours?" he suddenly asked. Infinite
irony in ins voice.
"My soldiers?" slip said faintly.
"Isn't it rather unusual that In time
of trouble and uncertainty we should
tie nble to approach within a mile of
one of your most Important cities with
out even so much as seeing a soldier
of (IraustarU?"
She felt that he was scoffing, but It
mattered little to her.
"It is a lii^odd. Isn't It?" she agreed.
"Worse than that, your highness."
"1 shall speak to Dangloss about it."
she said serenely, and lie looked up in
new surprise. Truly she was an ex
traordlnary princess.
Fully three-quarters of an hour pass- 1
ed before the coach was checked. Bev- [
erly, looking from the windows, had |
seen the lighted windows of cottages
growing closer and closer together.
The barking of roadside dogs was the
only sound that could be beard above
the rattle of the wheels. It was too
dark Inside th? coach to see the face
of the man beside her, but something
told her that he was staring Intently
Into the night, alert and anxious. The
responsibility of her position swooped
down upon her like an avalanche as
she thought of what the next few min |
utes were to bring forth. It was the
sudden stopping of the coach and the
sharp commands from the outside that
told her probation was at an end. She
could no longer speculate; It was high
time to act. '
"The outpost," came from Baldos, In
strained tones.
"Perhaps they won't know us?you, X
mean," she whispered.
"Baron Dangloss knows everybody,"
he replied bitterly.
"What a li >rrld ol I busybody he"?
she started to suy. Iiut thought better
?r it.
A couple of lantern* flashed ?t tlie
window, almost blinding lier. Aunt
1'auii.v groaned audibly, but tin- tiguiv
ef Bnldo* seemed to stiffen wltb ile-i
flum e. I'nlforuied men pacred Into the
interolr wjth more rudeness uu.l curi
osity than deemed r<-*pectful to u prin
?es?, to say the least. Tbey saw a pret
ty, pleading face, with wide gray eyes
and parted lips, but they did not how
in bumble submission, as Haldos bad
expected. One of tlie men, evidently In
command, addressed Beverly In rough
but polite tones. It was a question
that lie asked, she knew, but she could
not answer biui, for she could not uu
dcrstaud him.
"What do you want?" she put In
English, with a creditable display of
dignity.
"lie docs not speak English, your
highness." volunteered Balilos, In a
voice so well disguised that it startled
her. The ollmer was staring bliuikly at
her.
"Every oUlcer in my army should
ami must learn to speak English." she
said, at her wits' end. "I decline to
he questioned by the fellow. Will you
talk to him in my stead?"
"I. your highness?" he cried iu dis
may.
"yea. Tell tilni who we are and ask
where the hospital is," she murmured,
sinking hack with tlie air of a queen,
but with the Inward feeling that all
was lost.
"But I don't speak your language
well," ha protested.
"You speak it beautifully," she said.
Baldos leaned forward painfully and
s|N>ke to the officer In the Oruustark
tongue.
"I >on't you kuow your princess?" he
demanded a trifle harshly. The man's
eyes Hew wide o|>en In an Instant and
tils Jaw dropped.
"The tlie princes*?" he gasped.
"Don't stare like that, sir. Direct us
to the main gate at once, or you will
have cause to regret your slowness."
"But the princess was Is coming by
the northern pass," mumbled the man.
"The guard has gone out to meet her
and"? Baldos cut him off shortly with
the Information that the prlni<ess, as
he could see, hud come by the lower
pass and that she was eager to reach
a seating place at once. The convinc
ing tone of the speaker and the regal
Indifference of the lady had full effect
upon the officer, who had never seen
her highness. He fell buck with a
deep obeisance and gave a few bewil
dered commands to his men. The
coach moved off, attended by a party
of foot soldiers, and Beverly breathed
her first sigh of relief.
"You did it beautifully," she whis
pered to Baldos, and he was cousld
erubly puzzled by the ardor of her
praise. "Where are we goiug now?"
she asked.
"Into the city, your highness," he an
swered. It was beginning to dawn
upon btin that she was amazingly ig
norant and inconsequential for one
who enjoyed the right to command
these common soldiers. Her old trep
idation returned with this brief an
swer. Something told her that he was
beginning to mistrust her at last. Aft
er all, it meant everything to him and
so little to her.
When the coach halted before the
city gates she was in a dire Estate of
unhnppiness. In the darkness she
could feel the reproachful eyes of old
Aunt Fanny searching for her aban
doned conscience.
"Ask if Baron Dangloss is in Gan
look, and, If he Is, command them to
take me to him Immediately," she
whispered to Baldos, a sudden inspira
tion seizing her. She would lay the
whole matter before the great chief of
police ami trust to fortune. Her hand
fell impulsively upon his and, to her
amazement. It was as cold as Ice.
"What is the matter?" she cried In
alarm.
"You trusted me In the wilds, your
highness." he said tensely; "I am trust
ing you now." Before she could reply
the officer In charge of the Ganlook
gates appeared at the eoach window.
There were lights on all sides. Her
heart sank like lead. It would be a
miracle If she passed the gates un
reeognized.
1 must see naron nangioss hi once,
she cried iu English. utterly disdaining
her Instructions to Baldos.
"The baron ia engaged at present
and can see no one," responded the
good looking young officer In broken
English.
"Where is he?" she demanded nerv
ously.
"lie Is at the house of Colonel (Joaz.
the commandant. What is your busi
ness with hiiu?"
"It is with him, and not with you,
sir," she said, imperious once more.
"Conduct me to him immediately."
"You cannot enter the gates unless
you"?
"Insolence!" exclaimed Baldos. "Is
this tlie way, sir. in which you address
the princess? Make way for her."
"The princess!" gasped the officer.
Then a peculiar smile overspread his
face. He bad served three years in the
castle guard at Edelweiss! There was
a long pause, fraught with disaster for
Beverly. "Yea, perhaps It is Just as
well that we conduct her to Baron
Dungloss," he said at last. The deep
meaning in his voice appealed only to
the unhappy girl. "There shall be no
further delay, your highness!" he add
ed mockingly. A moment later the
gates swung open and they passed
through. Beverly aloue knew that they
were going to Baron Pangloss under
heavy guard, virtually as prisoners.
The man knew her to be an Impostor
and was doing only his duty.
There were smiles of derision on' ttie
faces of the - ddiers when Beverly
swept proudly between the tiles and
up the steps leading to the couiman
j ilant's door, but there were no audible
remark* I'.aMos followed, walking
painfully, l.ut defiantly. iiikI Aunt Fan
ny came last, with tile bund bug The
guards grinned broadly as the corpu
lent negress waddled up the steps.
The young ?l!b T and two men entered
the d >or with the wayfarer*, who were
ordered to halt In the hallway.
"Will your highness eonie with me?"
said the oBicer. returning to the hull
ufler a short absence. There was un
mi-likable derision in his voice and
palpable Insolence In his manner. Bev
erly Hushed angrily. "Baron Dangloss
is very curious to see you," he added,
with a smile. Nevertheless he shrank
a bit beneath the cold gleam ill the
eyes of the Impostor.
"You will remain here," she ?a!d,
turning to Baldos.aml the negress.
"And you will have nothing whatever
to say to this very important young
man." The "Important young man"
actually chuckled.
"Follow me, your most royal high
ness," he said, preceding her through
! '' ft 1
l: ? i
"You art Mitt Beverly Calhoun of
W athlngton."
the door that opened Into the office of
the commandant. Baldos glared after
them in angry amazement.
"Young man. some day?and soon?
you will be a much wiser soldier and
in the ranks," said Beverly hotly. The
smile instantly receded from the inso
lent fellow's face, for there was a
world of prophecy in the way she said
it. Somehow he was in a much more
respectful huuior when he returned to
the hall and stood in the presence of
the tall. Hushed stranger with the rag
ged uniform.
A short, tierce little man in the pic
turesque uniform of a (Jraustark offi
cer arose as Beverly entered the office.
His short beard bristled as though it
were concealing a smile, but his man
ner was polite, even deferential. She
advanced fearlessly toward him, a
wayward smile struggling into her
face.
"I dare say you know I am not the
princess," she said composedly. Every
vestige of fear was goue now that she
had reached the line of battle. The
doughty baron looked somewhat sur
prised at this frank Way of opening an
Interview.
"I am quite well aware of it," he
said politely.
"They say you know every one, Bar
on Haugloss," she boldly said. "Pray,
who am I'!"
The powerful official looked at the
smiling face for a moment, his bushy
eyebrows contract t ever so slightly.
There was a shameless streak of dust
across her cheek, but there was also
a dimple there that appealed to the
grim old man. His eyes twinkled as
lie replied, with Hue obsequiousness:
"You are Miss Beverly Calhoun of
Washington."
CHAPTER IX.
IlKVEKLY'S eyes showed her as
I 1# I tonlshmcut. Baron Dangloss
111 courteously placed a chair for
her and asked her to be seated.
"We were expecting you. Miss Cal
houn," he explained. "Her royal high
II ess left St. Petersburg but a few
hours after your departure, having un
fortunately missed you."
"You don't mean to say that the
princess tried to find me In St. Peters
burg?" cried Beverly in wonder and
?leltirtlt
"That was one of the purposes of her
visit," said he brusquely.
"Oh. how Jolly!" cried she, her gray
eyes sparkling. The grim old captain
was startled for the smallest fraction
of a minute, but at once fell to admir
ing the fresh, eager face of the visitor.
"The public at large Is under the
impression that she visited the czar on
matters of importance," he said, with
a condescending smile.
"And it rosily was of uo importance
at all, that's what you mean?" She
smiled back securely.
"Your message informing her high
ness of your presence in St. Peters
burg hud no sooner'arrived than she
set forth to meet you In that city,
much against the advice of her coun
selors. I will admit that she had other
business there, but it could have wait
ed. Y'ou see, Miss Calhoun, it was a
great risk at this particular time. Mis
fortune mcaus disaster now. But
Providence was her friend. She ar
rived safely in (Jaulook not an hour
since."
"Keally? Oh, Baron Pangloss, where
is she?" excitedly cried the American
girl.
"For the night she is stopping with
the Countess Rallowitx. A force of
men, but r.ot those whom you met at
the gates, has Just been dispatched at
her command to search for you in the
lower pass. You took the most danger
ous road. Miss Calbouu, and 1 em
amazed that you came through In
safety."
"The Russians chose the lo ver pass,
I :
I know not why. Of course. I was
luite Ignorant. However. we wet nei
ther brigands nor soldiers. Axptmln or
OrauHtark. 1 encountered nothing
more alarming than a mountain lion, i
1 And t t. Baron Ilaagloss, recalls me
to the sense of u duty I have been neg
lecting. X |?>or wan lerer in the hills
defended me against the beast and was
badly wounded. He must be taken to
a hospital at once, sir, where he may
have the proper care."
Whereupon, at his request, she hur
rledly related the story of that trying
Journey through the mountains, not
forgetting to paint the courage of Hal
] dos in most glowing colors. The chief1
? was deeply interested In the story of
the goat hunt r and his party. There
was an odd gleaui of satisfaction In his
I eyes, but she did not observe It.
"You will see that be has immediate i
attention, won't you?" she implored In
the end. '
"lie shall have our deejiest consider
ition." promised he.
j. "You know I am rather interested be
cause I shot him, Just as if it were
not) enough that his legs were being
torn by the brute at the time. He
ought not to walk, Baron Bangloss.
If you don't mind. I'd suggest an am
bulance," she hurried on glibly. He
could not conceal the smile that her
eagerness Inspired. "Iteully, he Is in
a serious condition. 1 think he needs
some quinine and whisky, too, and"?
"He shall have the best of care," tu
| terrupted the captain. "Leave him to
1 me. Miss Calhoun."
"Now, let me tell you something,"
said she. after due reflection. "You
must not pay any attention to what he
says. He is lialde to be delirious and
talk In a terrible sort of way. Y'ou
know, delirious people never talk ra
tionaliy." She was loyally trying to
proteet Baldos, the hunted, against
any Incriminating statements he might
make.
"Quite right. Miss Calhoun," said the j
baron very gravely.
"And now. I'd like to go to the prin
cess." said Beverly, absolutely sure of
herself. "You know we are great
friends, she and I."
"I have seut a mtatsenger to announce
your arrival. She will expect you."
Beverly looked about the room In per
plexity.
"But there has been no messenger
here," she said.
"He left here some minutes before you
came. I knew who it was that came
knocking at our gates, even though she
traveled as Princess Yetive of Grau
stark."
"And, oh. that reminds me. Baron
Daugioss, Bnldos still believes me to
be the princess. Is it necessary to?
to tell him the truth about me? Just
at present. I mean? I'm sure he'll rest j
much easier if he doesn't know dif j
fereutly."
"So far as I am concerned, Miss C'al- \
houn. he shall always regard you as a |
queen," said Dang'oss gallantly.
"Thank you. I.'s very nice of you
to"?
A man In t.nlform entered after |
knocking at tin door of the room. He
saluted his superior and uttered a few
words in his own lun?rtis;e.
"Her royal highness is awaiting you
at the home of the countess. Miss Cal- |
houn. A detail of men will escort yon
and your servant to her place."
' Now, please, Baron Da'agloas," j
pleaded Beverly at the door, "lie nice
to him. You know it hurts him to j
walk, ('anit you have him carried in?"
"If he will consent," said he quietly.
Beverly hurried into the outer room
after giving the baron a smile he never
forgot. Baldos looked up eagerly,
anxiously.
"It's all right," she said in low tones,
pausing for a moment beside his chair.
"Don't get up! Good by. I'll come to
see you tomorrow. Don't be in the
least disturbed. Baron Dangloss has
his instructions." Impulsively giving
him. her hand, which he respectfully
raised to his lips, she followed Aunt
Fanny and was gone.
Almost immediately Baldos was re
quested to present himself before Bar
on Dangloss in the adjoining rwm.
Refusing to be carried in, he resolutely
strode through the door and stood be
fore the grim old captain of police, an
i-asj, cuuuueul suiue uil U1S IUCV. 1 ne
black patch once more covered Ills eye
with defiant assertivencss.
"They tell me you are Baldos, a goat
hunter," said Baron Dangloss, eying
him keenly.
"Yes."
"And you were hurt In defending oue
who is of much consequence in Crau
stark. Sit down, my good fellow." Bal
dos' eye gleamed coldly for an Instant;
then he sunk into a chair. "While ad
mitting that you have done tJraustark
a great service. I am obliged to tell
you that I at least know you to be
other than what you say. You are not
a goat hunter, and Baldos is not your
name. Am I not right?"
"You have had instructions from
your sovereign, Baron Dangloss. Did
they include a command to cross ques
tion me?" ^ked Baldos haughtily.
Dangloss hesitated for a full minute.
"They did not. I take the liberty of
'Squiring on my own responsibility."
"Very well. sir. Until you have a
right to question uie. I am-(Baldos and
a goat hunter. I think 1 am here to re
ceive surgical treatment."
"Y'ou decline to tell me anything con
cerning yourself?"
"Only that I am injured and need re
lief."
"Perhaps T know more about you
than you suspect, sir."
"I am not in the least interested.
Baron Dangloss, in what you know.
The princess brought me into Can look,
and I have Iter promise of help and
protection while here. That is all I
have to say, except that I have im
plicit faith in hex word."
Dangloss sat watching him is si'.ence
for some time. No one but Ulaiself
knew what was going on" hi (bat
shrewd, speculative mind. At length
he arose and approached the proud
fellow In rage
"You have earned ever}' considera
tion at our bauds. My men will take
you to the hospital, and you shall have
the best of core. You have served our
princess well. Tomorrow you may feel
Inclined to talk more freely with me,
for I am your friend. Buldos."
"I am grateful for that. Baron Han
gings," said tile other simply. Then he
was led away, and a comfortable cot
lu the Uuulook hospital soon held his
long, feverish frame, while callable
hands took care of his wounds. lie
did not know it. hut two fully armed
soldiers maintained a careful guard
outside his door under instructions
from the head of the police. Moreover,
a picked detail of men sallied forth
into the lower pass in search of the
gout hunter's followers.
In the meantime Beverly was con
ducted to the home of the Countess
Itailowitz. Her meeting with the
princess was most affectionate. There
were tears, laughter and kisses. The
whole atmosphere of the place sug
gested romuia .? to the eager American
girl. l'ow.istulra were the royal
guards. In tiie halls were attendants.
All about* were maidservants hud oh
sei, .ioiis 1 : aeys, crowding the home
of th ? kin ily countess. At last, com
fortablc and free from the dust of
travel, the two friends sat down to a
dainty meal.
"Oh. I am so delighted," murmured
Beverly for the hundredth time.
"I'm appalled when I think of the
dangers you incurred In coming to me.
No oue hut a very foolish American
girl could have undertaken such a trip
as this. Dear me, Beverly, I should
have died if anything dreadful had
happened to you. Why did you do it?"
questioned the princess. And then they
laughed Joyously.
auu you went an tne way to at.
Petersburg to meet me, you dear, dear
Yetlve!" cried Beverly so warmly that
the attentive servant forgot bis mask
of reverence.
"Wasn't it ridiculous of me? I know
Gren would have forbidden it If be had
been In Edelweiss when I started.
And, more shame to me, the poor fel
low is doubtless at the conference with
Dawsbergen. utterly Ignorant of my
escapade. You should have heard the
ministry?er?ah"? And the princess
paused for an English word.
"Kick?" Beverly supplied.
"Y'es. They objected violently. And,
do you know, I was finally compelled
to issue a private edict to restrain
them from sending au appeal to Gren
fall away off there on the frontier.
Whether or no, my uncle insisted that
he should be brought home, a three
days' journey, in order that he might
keep me from going to St. Petersburg.
Of course they could not disobey 'my
edict, and so poor Gren is none the
wiser, unless he has returned from the
conference. If he has, I am sure he is
on the way to Ganlook at this very
minute."
"What a whimsical ruler you are!"
cried Beverly, "Upsetting everything
sensible just to rush off hundreds of
miles to meetrme! And Axphain is '
trying to capture you too! Goodness,
you must love me!"
"Oh, but I did have a trifliug affair
of state to lay before the czar, my
dear! Tomorrow we shall be safe and
sound in the castle, and it will all be
very much worth while. You see, Bev
erly, dear, even princesses enjoy a di
version now and then. One wouldn't
think anything of this adventure in the
United States; it is the environment
that makes it noticeable. Besides, you
traveled as a princess. How did you
like it?"
And then the conversation related
particularly to the advantages of roy
alty as viewed from one side and the
disadvantages as regarded from an
other. For a long time Beverly had
been wondering how she should pro
ceed in the effort to secure absolute
clemency for Baldos. As yet she had
said nothing to Yetive of her promise
to him, made while she was a prin
cess.
r\i any raie, 1 ui sure lue koui uuut
ers would not have been so faithful
and true if they had not believed me to
he a princess," said Beverly, paving
the way. "You haven't a uian in your
kingdom who could be more chival
rous than Baldos."
"If he is that kind of a man. he
would ti;eat any woman as gently."
"You should have heard him call me
'your highness,'" cried Beverly. "He
will loathe me if he ever learns that I
deceived him."
"Oh, 1 think he deceived himself,"
spoke Y'etlve easily. "Besides, you
look as much like a princess as I."
"There is something 1 want to speak
very seriously about to you, Yetive,"
said Beverly, making ready for the
cast. "You see, he did not want to
enter Ganlook with me, but 1 insisted.
He had been so brave and gallant, and
he was suffering so intensely. It would
have been criminal In me to leave him
out there in the wilderness, wouldn't
it?"
"It would have been heartless."
"So I Just made him come along.
That was right, wasn't it? That's what
you would have done, no matter who
he was or what his objections might
have been. Well, you see. it's this
way. Y'etive: He is some sort of a fu
gitive?not a criminal, you know, but
Just some one they are hunting for, I
don't know why. He wouldn't tell me.
That was perfectly right If he felt that
way. wasn't it?"
"And he had fought a lion in your
defense," supplemented Y'etive, with a
schoolgirl's ardor.
"And I had shot him In the arm,
too," added Beverly.. "So of course 1
Just had to be reaspnable. In order to
Induce him to come with me to n hos
pital I was obliged to guarantee per
fect safety to him. His men went