"Coward?" he faltered. "Have I not proved my courage on the field of

battle? Am I to be called a--"

"Bravery should not end when the soldier quits the field of battle. You

have had a hearing. Count Marlanx. I heard the truth about you last

night."

"From Miss Calhoun?" sneered he viciously. "I must be content to accept

this dismissal, your highness. There is no hope for me. Some day you may

pray God to forgive you for the wrong you have done your most loyal

servant. There is no appeal from your decision; but as a subject of

Graustark I insist that Miss Calhoun shall be punished for aiding in the

escape of this spy and traitor. He is gone, and it was she who led him

through the castle to the outer world. She cannot deny this,

gentlemen. I defy her to say she did not accompany Baldos through the

secret passage last night."

"It will do no harm to set herself right by denying this accusation,"

suggested Count Halfont solemnly. Every man in the cabinet and army had

hated Marlanx for years. His degradation was not displeasing to

them. They would ask no questions.

But Beverly Calhoun stood staring out of the window, out upon the castle

park and its gay sunshine. She did not answer, for she did not hear the

premier's words. Her brain was whirling madly with other thoughts. She

was trying to believe her eyes.

"The spy is gone," cried Marlanx, seeing a faint chance to redeem

himself at her expense. "She can not face my charge. Where is your

friend, Miss Calhoun?"

Beverly faced them with a strange, subdued calmness in her face. Her

heart was throbbing wildly in the shelter of this splendid disguise.

"I don't know what all this commotion is about," she said. "I only know

that I have been dragged into it shamelessly by that old man over there,

If you step to the window you may see Baldos himself. He has not

fled. He is on duty!"

Baldos was striding steadily across the park in plain view of all.




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