Nightfall brought General Marlanx in from the camps outside the

gates. He came direct to the castle and boldly sent word to Beverly that

he must speak to her at once. She promptly answered that she did not

want to see him and would not. Without a moment's hesitation he appealed

for an audience with the princess, and it was granted.

He proceeded, with irate coolness, to ask how far she believed herself

bound to protect the person of Baldos, the guard. He understood that she

was under certain obligations to Miss Calhoun and he wanted to be

perfectly sure of his position before taking a step which now seemed

imperative. Baldos was a spy in the employ of Dawsbergen. He had

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sufficient proof to warrant his arrest and execution; there were

documents, and there was positive knowledge that he had conferred with

strangers from time to time, even within the walls of the castle

grounds. Marlanx cited instances in which Baldos had been seen talking

to a strange old man inside the grounds, and professed to have proof

that he had gone so far as to steal away by night to meet men beyond the

city walls. He was now ready to seize the guard, but would not do so

until he had conferred with his sovereign.

"Miss Calhoun tells me that you have made certain proposals to her,

Count Marlanx," said Yetive coldly, her eyes upon his hawkish face.

"I have asked her to be my wife, your highness."

"You have threatened her, Count Marlanx."

"She has exposed herself to you? I would not have told what I saw last

night."

"Would it interest you to know that I saw everything that passed on the

balcony last night? You will allow me to say, general, that you have

behaved in a most outrageous manner in approaching my guest with such

foul proposals. Stop, sir! She has told me everything and I believe

her. I believe my own eyes. There is no need to discuss the matter

further. You have lost the right to be called a man. For the present I

have only to say that you shall be relieved of the command of my

army. The man who makes war on women is not fit to serve one. As for

Baldos, you are at liberty to prefer the charges. He shall have a fair

trial, rest assured."

"Your highness, hear me," implored Marlanx, white to the roots of his

hair.

"I will hear what you have to say when my husband is at my side."

"I can but stand condemned, then, your highness, without a hearing. My

vindication will come, however. With your permission, I retire to

contrive the arrest of this spy. You may depose me, but you cannot ask

me to neglect my duty to Graustark. I have tried to save him for Miss

Calhoun's sake--" But her hand was pointing to the door.




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