In broken, jerky sentences, Ravone explained to the colonel that they

were a party of actors on their way to Edelweiss, but that they had been

advised to give the place a wide berth. Now they were making the best of

a hard journey to Serros, where they expected but little better

success. He produced certain papers of identification which Quinnox

examined and approved, much to Beverly's secret amazement. The princess

and the colonel exchanged glances and afterwards a few words in subdued

tones. Yetive looked furtively at Beverly and then at Baldos as if to

enquire whether these men were the goat-hunters she had come to know by

word of mouth. The two faces were hopelessly non-committal.

Suddenly Baldos's horse reared and began to plunge as if in terror, so

that the rider kept his seat only by means of adept horsemanship. Ravone

leaped forward and at the risk of injury clutched the plunging steed by

the bit. Together they partially subdued the animal and Baldos swung to

the ground at Ravone's side. Miss Calhoun's horse in the meantime had

caught the fever. He pranced off to the roadside before she could get

him under control.

She was thus in a position to observe the two men on the

ground. Shielded from view by the body of the horse, they were able to

put the finishing touches to the trick Baldos had cleverly

worked. Beverly distinctly saw the guard and the beggar exchange bits of

paper, with glances that meant more than the words they were unable to

utter.

Baldos pressed into Ravone's hand a note of some bulk and received in

exchange a mere slip of paper. The papers disappeared as if by magic,

and the guard was remounting his horse before he saw that the act had

been detected. The expression of pain and despair in Beverly's face sent

a cold chill over him from head to foot.

She turned sick with apprehension. Her faith had received a stunning

blow. Mutely she watched the vagabonds withdraw in peace, free to go

where they pleased. The excursionists turned to the main road. Baldos

fell back to his accustomed place, his imploring look wasted. She was

strangely, inexplicably depressed for the rest of the day.




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