Beverly's eyes showed her astonishment. Baron Dangloss courteously

placed a chair for her and asked her to be seated.

"We were expecting you, Miss Calhoun," he explained. "Her royal highness

left St. Petersburg but a few hours after your departure, having

unfortunately missed you."

"You don't mean to say that the princess tried to find me in

St. Petersburg?" cried Beverly, in wonder and delight.

"That was one of the purposes of her visit," said he brusquely.

"Oh, how jolly!" cried she, her gray eyes sparkling. The grim old

captain was startled for the smallest fraction of a minute, but at once

fell to admiring the fresh, eager face of the visitor.

"The public at large is under the impression that she visited the Czar

on matters of importance," he said, with a condescending smile.

"And it really was of no importance at all, that's what you mean?" she

smiled back securely.

"Your message informing her highness of your presence in St. Petersburg

had no sooner arrived than she set forth to meet you in that city, much

against the advice of her counsellors. I will admit that she had other

business there but it could have waited. You see, Miss Calhoun, it was a

great risk at this particular time. Misfortune means disaster now. But

Providence was her friend. She arrived safely in Ganlook not an hour

since."

"Really? Oh, Baron Dangloss, where is she?" excitedly cried the

American girl.

"For the night she is stopping with the Countess Rallowitz. A force of

men, but not those whom you met at the gates, has just been dispatched

at her command to search for you in the lower pass. You took the most

dangerous road, Miss Calhoun, and I am amazed that you came through in

safety."

"The Russians chose the lower pass, I know not why. Of course, I was

quite ignorant. However, we met neither brigands nor soldiers, Axphain

or Graustark. I encountered nothing more alarming than a mountain

lion. And that, Baron Dangloss, recalls me to the sense of a duty I have

been neglecting. A poor wanderer in the hills defended me against the

beast and was badly wounded. He must be taken to a hospital at once,

sir, where he may have the proper care."

Whereupon, at his request, she hurriedly related the story of that

trying journey through the mountains, not forgetting to paint the

courage of Baldos in most glowing colors. The chief was deeply

interested in the story of the goat-hunter and his party. There was an

odd gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, but she did not observe it.

"You will see that he has immediate attention, won't you?" she

implored in the end.

"He shall have our deepest consideration," promised he.

"You know I am rather interested, because I shot him, just as if it were

not enough that his legs were being torn by the brute at the time. He

ought not to walk, Baron Dangloss. If you don't mind, I'd suggest an

ambulance," she hurried on glibly. He could not conceal the smile that

her eagerness inspired. "Really, he is in a serious condition. I think

he needs some quinine and whiskey, too, and--"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024