"And after you have confessed to all these actions? By George, I like

your nerve," exclaimed Lorry.

"I have been amply vindicated," cried Marlanx. "Put him in irons--and

that boy, too."

"We'll interview the boy," said Lorry, remembering the lad beneath the

tree.

"See; he's sleeping so sweetly," said Baldos gently. "Poor lad, he has

not known sleep for many hour. I suppose he'll have to be awakened, poor

little beggar."

Colonel Quinnox and Haddan crossed the grounds to the big cedar. The boy

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sprang to his feet at their call and looked wildly about. Two big hands

clasped his arms, and a moment later the slight figure came pathetically

across the intervening space between the stalwart guards.

"Why has he remained here, certain of arrest?" demanded Lorry in

surprise.

"He was safer with me than anywhere else, Mr. Lorry. You may shoot me a

thousand times, but I implore you to deal gently with my unhappy

friend. He has done no wrong. The clothes you see upon that trembling

figure are torturing the poor heart more than you can know. The burning

flush upon that cheek is the red of modesty. Your highness and

gentlemen, I ask you to have pity on this gentle friend of mine." He

threw his arm about the shoulder of the slight figure as it drooped

against him. "Count Marlanx was right. It was a woman he saw with me in

the chapel last night."

The sensation created by this simple statement was staggering. The

flushed face was unmistakably that of a young girl, a tender, modest

thing that shrank before the eyes of a grim audience. Womanly instinct

impelled Yetive to shield the timid masquerader. Her strange association

with Baldos was not of enough consequence in the eyes of this tender

ruler to check the impulse of gentleness that swept over her. That the

girl was guiltless of any wrong-doing was plain to be seen. Her eyes,

her face, her trembling figure furnished proof conclusive. The dark

looks of the men were softened when the arm of the princess went about

the stranger and drew her close.

"Bah! Some wanton or other!" sneered Marlanx. "But a pretty one, by the

gods. Baldos has always shown his good taste," Baldos glared at him like a tiger restrained. "Before God, you will have

those words to unsay," he hissed.

Yetive felt the slight body of the girl quiver and then grow tense.

The eyes of Baldos now were fixed on the white, drawn face of Beverly

Calhoun, who stood quite alone at the top of the steps. She began to

sway dizzily and he saw that she was about to fall. Springing away from

the guards, he dashed up the steps to her side. His arm caught her as

she swayed, and its touch restored strength to her--the strength of

resentment and defiance.




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