It would not surprise me
to find that this stranger has learned everything there is to know about
the fort." His listeners were silent. The smiles left their faces. "I am
not saying that he would betray us--"
"No, no!" protested Beverly.
"--but he is in a position to give the most valuable information to an
enemy. An officer has just informed me that Baldos missed not a detail
in regard to the armament, or the location of vital spots in the
construction of the fortress."
"But he wouldn't be so base as to use his knowledge to our undoing,"
cried Yetive seriously.
"We only know that he is not one of us. It is not beyond reason that his
allegiance is to another power, Dawsbergen, for instance. Count Marlanx
is not at all in sympathy with him, you are aware. He is convinced that
Baldos is a man of consequence, possibly one of our bitterest enemies,
and he hates him. For my own part, I may say that I like the man. I
believe he is to be trusted, but if he be an agent of Volga or Gabriel,
his opportunity has come. He is in a position to make accurate maps of
the fort and of all our masked fortifications along the city walls."
Beyond a doubt, the baron was worried.
"Neither am I one of you," said Beverly stoutly. "Why shouldn't I prove
to be a traitress?"
"You have no quarrel with us, Miss Calhoun," said Dangloss.
"If anything happens, then, I am to be blamed for it," she cried in deep
distress.
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