" Umph ! " sniffed Beverly defiantly. The baron
went on with his narrative, exhibiting signs of excite-
ment.
" To lend color to the matter, Christobal's sweet-
heart, 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 Half ont,
" Baldos may be none of these men."

" Good heavens. Aunt Yvonne, don't suggest any-
thing so distressing," said Yetive. " He must be one
of them."

" I suggest a speedy way of determining the mat-
ter," 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



156 BEVERLY OF GRAUSTARK

asked," said Beverly, almost tearfully but quite reso-
lutely. " 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.
