THE NIGHT FIRES
"Why, good evening. Is that you?" struggled somewhat hysterically
through Beverly's lips. Not since the dear old days of the stolen jam
and sugar-bits had she known the feelings of a culprit caught
red-handed. The light from the park lamps revealed a merry, accusing
smile on the face of Yetive, but the faces of the men were
serious. Marlanx was the picture of suppressed fury.
"It is the relief expedition, your highness," said Yetive warmly. "We
thought you were lost in the wilds of the jungle."
"She is much better protected than we could have imagined," said the
Iron Count, malevolently mild and polite.
"Can't I venture into the park without being sent for?" asked Beverly,
ready to fly into the proper rage. The pink had left her cheeks
white. "I am proud to observe, however, that the relief expedition is
composed of the most distinguished people in all Graustark. Is there any
significance to be attached to the circumstance?"
"Can't we also go strolling in the park, my dear?" plaintively asked
Yetive.
"It depends upon where we stroll, I fancy," suggested Marlanx
derisively. Beverly flashed a fierce look at the head of the army. "By
the way, Baron Dangloss, where is the incomparable Haddan?"
Baldos shot a startled glance at the two men and in an instant
comprehension came to him. He knew the secret of Haddan's constant
companionship. An expression of bitter scorn settled upon his mouth,
Dangloss mumbled a reply, at which the Iron Count laughed sarcastically.
"I am returning to the castle," said Beverly coldly, "Pray don't let me
interfere with your stroll. Or is it possible that you think it
necessary to deliver me safely to my nurse, now that you have found me?"
"Don't be angry, dear," whispered Yetive, coming close to her side. "I
will tell you all about it later on. It was all due to Count Marlanx."
"It was all done to humiliate me," replied Beverly, indignation
surpassing confusion at last. "I hate all of you."
"Oh, Beverly!" whispered the princess, in distress.
"Well, perhaps _you_ were led into it," retracted Beverly, half
mollified. "Look at that old villain whispering over there. No wonder
his wives up and died. They just _had_ to do it. I hate all but you
and Count Halfont and Baron Dangloss," which left but one condemned.
"And Baldos?" added Yetive, patting her hand.
"I wish you'd be sensible," cried Beverly, most ungraciously, and
Yetive's soft laugh irritated her. "How long had you been listening to
us?"
"Not so much as the tiniest part of a minute," said Yetive, recalling
another disastrous eavesdropping. "I am much wiser than when Baldos
first came to serve you. We were quite a distance behind Count Marlanx,
I assure you."
"Then _he_ heard something?" asked Beverly anxiously.
"He has been in a detestable mood ever since we rejoined him. Could he
have heard anything disagreeable?"
"No; on the contrary, it was quite agreeable."
All this time Baldos was standing at attention a few paces off, a model
soldier despite the angry shifting of his black eyes. He saw that they
had been caught in a most unfortunate position. No amount of explaining
could remove the impression that had been forced upon the witnesses,
voluntary or involuntary as the case might be. Baldos could do nothing
to help her, while she was compelled to face the suspicions of her best
friends. At best it could be considered nothing short of a clandestine
meeting, the consequences of which she must suffer, not he. In his
heated brain he was beginning to picture scandal with all the disgusting
details that grow out of evil misrepresentation.
Count Halfont separated himself from the group of three and advanced to
the sedan-chair. Marlanx and Dangloss were arguing earnestly in low
tones.
"Shall we return, your highness?" asked Halfont, addressing both with
one of his rarest smiles. "If I remember aright, we were to dine _en
famille_ to-night, and it is well upon the hour. Besides, Count
Marlanx is a little distressed by your absent-mindedness, Miss Beverly,
and I fancy he is eager to have it out with you."
"My absent-mindedness? What is it that I have forgotten?" asked Beverly,
puckering her brow.
"That's the trouble, dear," said Yetive. "You forgot your promise to
teach him how to play that awful game called poker. He has waited for
you at the castle since six o'clock. It is now eight. Is it any wonder
that he led the searching party? He has been on nettles for an hour and
a half."
"Goodness, I'll wager he's in a temper!" exclaimed Beverly, with no
remorse, but some apprehension.
"It would be wisdom to apologize to him," suggested Yetive, and her
uncle nodded earnestly.
"All right. I think I can get him into good humor without half
trying. Oh, Count Marlanx! Come here, please. You aren't angry with me,
are you? Wasn't it awful for me to run away and leave you to play
solitaire instead of poker? But, don't you know, I was so wretchedly
tired after the ride, and I knew you wouldn't mind if I--" and so she
ran glibly on, completely forestalling him, to the secret amusement of
the others. Nevertheless, she was nervous and embarrassed over the
situation. There was every reason to fear that the Iron Count had heard
and seen enough to form a pretty good opinion of what had passed between
herself and Baldos in this remote corner of the park. A deep sense of
shame was taking possession of her.
Marlanx, smiling significantly, looked into her brave little face, and
permitted her to talk on until she had run out of breath and
composure. Then he bowed with exaggerated gallantry and informed her
that he was hers to command, and that it was not for him to forgive but
to accept whatever was her gracious pleasure. He called upon the
chair-bearers and they took up their burden. Beverly promptly changed
her mind and concluded to walk to the castle. And so they started off,
the chair going ahead as if out of commission forever. Despite her
efforts to do so, the American girl (feeling very much abused, by the
way), was unsuccessful in the attempt to keep the princess at her
side. Yetive deliberately walked ahead with Halfont and Dangloss. It
seemed to Beverly that they walked unnecessarily fast and that Marlanx
was provokingly slow. Baldos was twenty paces behind, as was his custom.
"Is it necessary for me to ask you to double the number of lessons I am
to have?" Marlanx asked. He was quite too close to her side to please
Beverly.
"Can't you learn in one lesson? Most Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game."
"I am not so quick-witted, your highness."
"Far be it from me to accelerate your wits, Count Marlanx. It might not
be profitable."
"You might profit by losing, you know," he ventured, leaning still
closer, "Poker is not the only game of chance. It was chance that gave
me a winning hand this evening."
"I don't understand."
"It shall be my pleasure to teach you in return for instructions I am to
have. I have tried to teach your excellent guard one phase of the
game. He has not profited, I fear. He has been blind enough to pick a
losing hand in spite of my advice. It is the game of hearts." Beverly
could not but understand. She shrank away with a shudder. Her wits did
not desert her, however.
"I know the game," she said steadily. "One's object is to cast off all
the hearts. I have been very lucky at the game, Count Marlanx."
"Umph!" was his ironical comment. "Ah, isn't this a night for lovers?"
he went on, changing tack suddenly. "To stroll in the shadows, where
even the moon is blind, is a joy that love alone provides. Come, fair
mistress, share this joy with me."
With that his hand closed over her soft arm above the elbow and she was
drawn close to his side. Beverly's first shock of revulsion was
succeeded by the distressing certainty that Baldos was a helpless
witness of this indignity. She tried to jerk her arm away, but he held
it tight.
"Release my arm, sir!" she cried, hoarse with passion.
"Call your champion, my lady. It will mean his death. I have evidence
that will insure his conviction and execution within an hour. Nothing
could Call him, I say, and--"
"I _will_ call him. He is my sworn protector, and I will command
him to knock you down if you don't go away," she flared, stopping
decisively.
"At his peril--"
"Baldos!" she called, without a second's hesitation. The guard came up
with a rush just as Marlanx released her arm and fell away with a
muttered imprecation.
"Your highness!" cried Baldos, who had witnessed everything.
"Are you afraid to die?" she demanded briefly; and clearly.
"No!"
"That is all," she said, suddenly calm. "I merely wanted to prove it to
Count Marlanx." Tact had come to her relief most opportunely. Like a
flash she saw that a conflict between the commander of the army and a
guard could have but one result and that disastrous to the latter. One
word from her would have ended everything for Baldos. She saw through
the Iron Count's ruse as if by divine inspiration and profited where he
least expected her to excel in shrewdness. Marlanx had deliberately
invited the assault by the guard. His object had been to snare Baldos
into his own undoing, and a horrible undoing it would have been. One
blow would have secured the desired result. Nothing could have saved the
guard who had struck his superior officer. But Beverly thought in time.
"To die is easy, your highness. You have but to ask it of me," said
Baldos, whose face was white and drawn.
"She has no intention of demanding such a pleasant sacrifice" observed
Count Marlanx, covering his failure skilfully. "Later on, perhaps, she
may sign your death warrant. I am proud to hear, sir, that a member of
my corps has the courage to face the inevitable, even though he be an
alien and unwilling to die on the field of battle. You have my
compliments, sir. You have been on irksome duty for several hours and
must be fatigued as well as hungry. A soldier suffers many deprivations,
not the least of which is starvation in pursuit of his calling. Mess is
not an unwelcome relief to you after all these arduous hours. You may
return to the barracks at once. The princess is under my care for the
remainder of the campaign."
Baldos looked first at her and then at the sarcastic old general. Yetive
and her companions were waiting for them at the fountain, a hundred
yards ahead.
"You may go, Baldos," said Beverly in low tones.
"I am not fatigued nor--" he began eagerly.
"Go!" snarled Marlanx. "Am I to repeat a command to you? Do you ignore
the word of your mistress?" There was a significant sneer in the way he
said it.
"Mistress?" gasped Baldos, his eye blazing, his arm half raised.
"Count Marlanx!" implored Beverly, drawing herself to her full height
and staring at him like a wounded thing.
"I humbly implore you not to misconstrue the meaning of the term, your
highness," said the Count affably, "Ah, you have dropped
something. Permit me. It is a note of some description, I think."
He stooped quickly--too quickly--and recovered from the ground at her
feet the bit of paper which had fallen from her hand. It was the note
from Ravone to Baldos which Beverly had forgotten in the excitement of
the encounter.
"Count Marlanx, give me that paper!" demanded Beverly breathlessly.
"Is it a love-letter? Perhaps it is intended for me. At any rate, your
highness, it is safe against my heart for the time being. When we reach
the castle I shall be happy to restore it. It is safer with me. Come, we
go one way and--have you not gone, sir?" in his most sarcastic tone to
the guard. Beverly was trembling.
"No, I have not; and I shall not go until I see you obey the command of
her highness. She has asked you for that piece of paper," said Baldos,
standing squarely in front of Marlanx.
"Insolent dog! Do you mean to question my--"
"Give over that paper!"
"If you strike me, fellow, it will be--"
"If I strike you it will be to kill, Count Marlanx. The paper, sir."
Baldos towered over the Iron Count and there was danger in his
dare-devil voice. "Surely, sir, I am but obeying your own
instructions. 'Protect the princess and all that is hers, with your
life,' you have said to me."
"Oh, I wish you hadn't done this, Baldos," cried Beverly,
panic-stricken.
"You have threatened my life. I shall not forget it, fool. Here is the
precious note, your highness, with my condolences to the writer."
Marlanx passed the note to her and then looked triumphantly at the
guard. "I daresay you have done all you can, sir. Do you wish to add
anything more?"
"What can one do when dealing with his superior and finds him a
despicable coward?" said Baldos, with cool irony. "You are reputed to be
a brave soldier. I know that to be false or I would ask you to draw the
sword you carry and--" He was drawing his sword as he spoke.
"Baldos!" implored Beverly. Her evident concern infuriated Marlanx. In
his heart he knew Baldos to be a man of superior birth and a foeman not
to be despised from his own station. Carried away by passion, he flashed
his sword from its sheath.
"You have drawn on me, sir," he snarled. "I must defend myself against
even such as you. You will find that I am no coward. Time is short for
your gallant lover, madam."
Before she could utter a word of protest the blades had clashed and they
were hungry for blood. It was dark in the shadows of the trees and the
trio were quite alone with their tragedy. She heard Baldos laugh
recklessly in response to Marlanx's cry of:
"Oh, the shame of fighting with such carrion as you!"
"Don't jest at a time like this, count," said the guard,
softly. "Remember that I lose, no matter which way it goes. If you kill
me I lose, if I beat you I lose. Remember, you can still have me shot
for insubordination and conduct unbecoming--"
"Stop!" almost shrieked Beverly. At risk of personal injury she rushed
between the two swordsmen. Both drew back and dropped their points. Not
a dozen passes had been made.
"I beg your highness's pardon," murmured Baldos, but he did not sheathe
his sword.
"He forced it upon me," cried Marlanx triumphantly. "You were witness to
it all. I was a fool to let it go as far as this. Put up your sword
until another day--if that day ever comes to you."
"He will have you shot for this, Baldos," cried Beverly in her
terror. Baldos laughed bitterly.
"Tied and blindfolded, too, your highness, to prove that he is a brave
man and not a coward. It was short but it was sweet. Would that you had
let the play go on. There was a spice in it that made life worth living
and death worth the dying. Have you other commands for me, your
highness?" His manner was so cool and defiant that she felt the tears
spring to her eyes.
"Only that you put up your sword and end this miserable affair by going
to your--your room."
"It is punishment enough. To-morrow's execution can be no harder."
Marlanx had been thinking all this time. Into his soul came the thrill
of triumph, the consciousness of a mighty power. He saw the chance to
benefit by the sudden clash and he was not slow to seize it.
"Never fear, my man," he said easily, "it won't be as bad as that. I can
well afford to overlook your indiscretion of to-night. There will be no
execution, as you call it. This was an affair between men not between
man and the state. Our gracious referee is to be our judge. It is for
her to pardon and to condemn. It was very pretty while it lasted and you
are too good a swordsman to be shot. Go your way, Baldos, and remember
me as Marlanx the man, not Marlanx the general. As your superior
officer, I congratulate and commend you upon the manner in which you
serve the princess."
"You will always find me ready to fight and to die for her" said Baldos
gravely. "Do you think you can remember that. Count Marlanx?"
"I have an excellent memory," said the count steadily. With a graceful
salute to Beverly, Baldos turned and walked away in the darkness.
"A perfect gentleman, Miss Calhoun, but a wretched soldier," said
Marlanx grimly.
"He is a hero," she said quietly, a great calmness coming over her. "Do
you mean it when you say you are not going to have him punished? He did
only what a man should do, and I glory in his folly."
"I may as well tell you point blank that you alone can save him. He does
not deserve leniency. It is in my power and it is my province to have
him utterly destroyed, not only for this night's work, but for other and
better reasons. I have positive proof that he is a spy. He knows I have
this proof. That is why he would have killed me just now. It is for you
to say whether he shall meet the fate of a spy or go unscathed. You have
but to exchange promises with me and the estimable guardsman goes
free--but he goes from Edelweiss forever. To-day he met the enemy's
scouts in the hills, as you know quite well. Messages were exchanged,
secretly, which you do not know of, of course. Before another day is
gone I expect to see the results of his treachery. There may be
manifestations to-night. You do not believe me, but wait and see if I am
not right. He is one of Gabriel's cleverest spies."
"I do not believe it. You shall not accuse him of such things," she
cried. "Besides, if he is a spy why should you shield him for my sake?
Don't you owe it to Graustark to expose--"
"Here is the princess," said he serenely. "Your highness," addressing
Yetive, "Miss Calhoun has a note which she refuses to let anyone read
but you. Now, my dear young lady, you may give it directly into the
hands of her highness."
Beverly gave him a look of scorn, but without a second's hesitation
placed the missive in Yetive's hand. The Iron Count's jaw dropped, and
he moistened his lips with his tongue two or three times. Something told
him that a valuable chance had gone.
"I shall be only too happy to have your highness read the result of my
first lesson in the Graustark language," she said, smiling gaily upon
the count.
Two men in uniform came rushing up to the party, manifestly
excited. Saluting the general, both began to speak at once.
"One at a time," commanded the count. "What is it?"
Other officers of the guard and a few noblemen from the castle came up,
out of breath.
"We have discerned signal fires in the hills, your excellency," said one
of the men from the fort. "There is a circle of fires and they mean
something important. For half an hour they have been burning near the
monastery; also in the valley below and on the mountains to the south."
There was an instant of deathly silence, as if the hearers awaited a
crash. Marlanx looked steadily at Beverly's face and she saw the
triumphant, accusing gleam in his eyes. Helplessly she stared into the
crowd of faces. Her eyes fell upon Baldos, who suddenly appeared in the
background. His face wore a hunted, imploring look. The next instant he
disappeared among the shadows.