Baldos paused irresolutely,
and then proceeded on his way without paying the slightest attention to
the commander of the army. Marlanx came to an amazed stop and his face
flamed with resentment.
"Halt, sir!" he exclaimed harshly. "Don't you know enough to salute me,
sir?"
Baldos turned instantly, his figure straightening like a flash. His eyes
met those of the Iron Count and did not waver, although his face went
white with passion.
"And who are you, sir?" he asked in cold, steely tones. The count almost
reeled.
"Your superior officer--that should be enough for you!" he half hissed
with deadly levelness.
"Oh, then I see no reason why I should not salute you, sir," said
Baldos, with one of his rare smiles. He saluted his superior officer a
shade too elaborately and turned away. Marlanx's eyes glistened.
"Stop! Have I said you could go, sir? I have a bit of advice to--"
"My command to go comes from _your_ superior, sir," said Baldos,
with irritating blandness.
"Be patient, general," cried Beverly in deep distress. "He does not know
any better. I will stand sponsor for him." And Baldos went away with a
light step, his blood singing, his devil-may-care heart satisfied. The
look in her eyes was very sustaining. As he left the castle he said
aloud to himself with an easy disregard of the consequences:
"Well, it seems that I am to be associated with the devil as well as
with angels.
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