The next morning a royal messenger came to Count Marlanx. He bore two

sealed letters from the princess. One briefly informed him that General

Braze was his successor as commander-in-chief of the army of Graustark.

He hesitated long before opening the other. It was equally brief and to

the point. The Iron Count's teeth came together with a savage snap as he

read the signature of the princess at the end. There was no

recourse. She had struck for Beverly Calhoun. He looked at his watch.

It was eleven o'clock. The edict gave him twenty-four hours from the noon

of that day. The gray old libertine despatched a messenger for his man

of affairs, a lawyer of high standing in Edelweiss. Together they

consulted until midnight. Shortly after daybreak the morning

following. Count Marlanx was in the train for Vienna, never to set foot

on Graustark's soil again. He was banished and his estates confiscated

by the government.

The ministry in Edelweiss was not slow to reopen negotiations with

Dawsbergen. A proclamation was sent to the prime minister, setting forth

the new order of affairs and suggesting the instant suspension of

hostile preparations and the restoration of Prince Dantan. Accompanying

this proclamation went a dignified message from Dantan, informing his

people that he awaited their commands. He was ready to resume the throne

that had been so desecrated. It would be his joy to restore Dawsbergen

to its once peaceful and prosperous condition. In the meantime the Duke

of Mizrox despatched the news to the Princess Volga of Axphain, who was

forced to abandon--temporarily, at least--her desperate designs upon

Graustark. The capture of Gabriel put an end to her transparent plans.

"But she is bound to break out against us sooner or later and on the

slightest provocation," said Yetive.

"I daresay that a friendly alliance between Graustark and Dawsbergen

will prove sufficient to check any ambitions she may have along that

line," said Ravone significantly. "They are very near to each other now,

your highness. Friends should stand together."

Beverly Calhoun was in suspense. Baldos had been sent off to the

frontier by Prince Dantan, carrying the message which could be trusted

to no other. He accompanied the Graustark ambassadors of peace as

Dantan's special agent. He went in the night time and Beverly did not

see him. The week which followed his departure was the longest she ever

spent. She was troubled in her heart for fear that he might not return,

despite the declaration she had made to him in one hysterical moment. It

was difficult for her to keep up the show of cheerfulness that was

expected of her. Reticence became her strongest characteristic. She

persistently refused to be drawn into a discussion of her relations with

the absent one. Yetive was piqued by her manner at first, but wisely saw

through the mask as time went on. She and Prince Dantan had many quiet

and interesting chats concerning Beverly and the erstwhile guard. The

prince took Lorry and the princess into his confidence. He told them all

there was to tell about his dashing friend and companion.




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