Here Beverly exclaimed proudly, her face glowing: "He doesn't look like

the sort of man who could be bullied into marrying anybody if he didn't

want to."

"And he strikes me as the sort who would marry any one he set his heart

upon having," added the princess, with a taunting glance at Miss

Calhoun.

"Umph!" sniffed Beverly defiantly. The baron went on with his narrative,

exhibiting signs of excitement.

"To lend color to the matter, Christobal's sweetheart, the daughter of a

game-warden, was murdered the night before her lover fled. I know

nothing of the circumstances attending the crime, but it is my

understanding that Christobal is not suspected. It is possible that he

is ignorant even now of the girl's fate."

"Well, by the gods, we have a goodly lot of heroes about us," exclaimed

Lorry.

"But, after all," ventured the Countess Halfont, "Baldos may be none of

these men."

"Good heavens, Aunt Yvonne, don't suggest anything so distressing," said

Yetive. "He must be one of them."

"I suggest a speedy way of determining the matter," said Anguish. "Let

us send for Baldos and ask him point blank who he is. I think it is up

to him to clear away the mystery."

"No!" cried Beverly, starting to her feet.

"It seems to be the only way," said Lorry.

"But I promised him that no questions should be asked," said Beverly,

almost tearfully but quite resolutely. "Didn't I, yet--your highness?"

"Alas, yes!" said the princess, with a pathetic little smile of

resignation, but with loyalty in the clasp of her hand.




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