"They wouldn't dare!" she exclaimed." Uncle Sam would annihilate them In

a week."

"Uncle Sam? Is he related to your Aunt Fanny? I'm afraid he could do

but little against Volga's fighting men," he said, with a smile.

"They'd soon find out who Uncle Sam is if they touch me," she threatened

grandly. He seemed puzzled, but was too polite to press her for

explanations. "But, he is a long way off and couldn't do much if we were

suddenly attacked from ambush, could he? What would they do to me if I

were taken, as you suggest?" she was more concerned than she appeared to

be.

"With you in their hands, Graustark would be utterly helpless. Volga

could demand anything she liked, and your ministry would be forced to

submit."

"I really think it would be a capital joke on the Princess Volga," mused

Beverly reflectively. He did not know what she meant, but regarded her

soft smile as the clear title to the serenity of a princess.

She sank back and gave herself over to the complications that were

likely to grow out of her involuntary deception. The one thing which

worried her more than all others was the fear that Yetive might not be

in Edelweiss. According to all reports, she had lately been in

St. Petersburg and the mere fact that she was supposed to be traveling

by coach was sufficient proof that she was not at her capital. Then

there was, of course, the possibility of trouble on the road with the

Axphain scouts, but Beverly enjoyed the optimism of youth and

civilization.

Baldos, the goat-hunter, was dreamily thinking of the beautiful young

woman at his side and of the queer freak Fortune had played in bringing

them together. As he studied her face he could not but lament that

marriage, at least, established a barrier between her and the advances

his bold heart might otherwise be willing to risk. His black hair

straggled down over his forehead and his dark eyes--the patch had been

surreptitiously lifted--were unusually pensive.

"It is strange that you live in Graustark and have not seen its

princess--before," she said, laying groundwork for enquiry concerning

the acts and whereabouts of the real princess.

"May it please your highness, I have not lived long in

Graustark. Besides, it is said that half the people of Ganlook have

never looked upon your face."

"I'm not surprised at that. The proportion is much smaller than I

imagined. I have not visited Ganlook, strange as it may seem to you."

"One of my company fell in with some of your guards from the Ganlook

garrison day before yesterday. He learned that you were to reach that

city within forty-eight hours. A large detachment of men has been sent

to meet you at Labbot."

"Oh, indeed," said Beverly, very much interested.




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