She was torn by conflicting emotions. That the two friends had
surreptitiously exchanged messages, doubtless by an arrangement
perfected since he had entered the service--possibly within the
week--could not be disputed. When and how had they planned the
accidental meeting? What had been their method of communication? And,
above all, what were the contents of the messages exchanged? Were they
of a purely personal nature, or did they comprehend injury to the
principality of Graustark? Beverly could not, in her heart, feel that
Baldos was doing anything inimical to the country he served, and yet her
duty and loyalty to Yetive made it imperative that the transaction
should be reported at once. A word to Quinnox and Ravone would be seized
and searched for the mysterious paper.
This, however, looked utterly
unreasonable, for the vagabonds were armed and in force, while Yetive
was accompanied by but three men who could be depended upon. Baldos,
under the conditions, was not to be reckoned upon for support. On the
other hand, if he meant no harm, it would be cruel, even fatal, to
expose him to this charge of duplicity. And while she turned these
troublesome alternatives over in her mind, the opportunity to act was
lost. Ravone and his men were gone, and the harm, if any was intended,
was done.
From time to time she glanced back at the guard. His face was
imperturbable, even sphinx-like in its steadiness. She decided to hold
him personally to account. At the earliest available moment she would
demand an explanation of his conduct, threatening him if necessary. If
he proved obdurate there was but one course left open to her. She would
deliver him up to the justice he had outraged. Hour after hour went by,
and Beverly suffered more than she could have told. The damage was done,
and the chance to undo it was slipping farther and farther out of her
grasp. She began to look upon herself as the vilest of traitors. There
was no silver among the clouds that marred her thoughts that afternoon.
It was late in the day when the party returned to the castle, tired
out. Beverly was the only one who had no longing to seek repose after
the fatiguing trip. Her mind was full of unrest. It was necessary to
question Baldos at once. There could be no peace for her until she
learned the truth from him. The strain became so great that at last she
sent word for him to attend her in the park. He was to accompany the men
who carried the sedan chair in which she had learned to sit with a
delightful feeling of being in the eighteenth century.