"Here is the princess," said he serenely. "Your highness," addressing

Yetive, "Miss Calhoun has a note which she refuses to let anyone read

but you. Now, my dear young lady, you may give it directly into the

hands of her highness."

Beverly gave him a look of scorn, but without a second's hesitation

placed the missive in Yetive's hand. The Iron Count's jaw dropped, and

he moistened his lips with his tongue two or three times. Something told

him that a valuable chance had gone.

"I shall be only too happy to have your highness read the result of my

first lesson in the Graustark language," she said, smiling gaily upon

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the count.

Two men in uniform came rushing up to the party, manifestly

excited. Saluting the general, both began to speak at once.

"One at a time," commanded the count. "What is it?"

Other officers of the guard and a few noblemen from the castle came up,

out of breath.

"We have discerned signal fires in the hills, your excellency," said one

of the men from the fort. "There is a circle of fires and they mean

something important. For half an hour they have been burning near the

monastery; also in the valley below and on the mountains to the south."

There was an instant of deathly silence, as if the hearers awaited a

crash. Marlanx looked steadily at Beverly's face and she saw the

triumphant, accusing gleam in his eyes. Helplessly she stared into the

crowd of faces. Her eyes fell upon Baldos, who suddenly appeared in the

background. His face wore a hunted, imploring look. The next instant he

disappeared among the shadows.




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