"I brought him to Edelweiss, and I believe in him."
"For his own sake, your highness, and Miss Calhoun, I suggest that no
opportunity should be given him to communicate with the outside
world. We cannot accuse him, of course, but we can _protect_ him.
I come to ask your permission to have him detailed for duty only in
places where no suspicion can attach to any of his actions."
"You mean inside the city walls?" asked Yetive.
"Yes, your highness, and as far as possible from the fortress."
"I think it is a wise precaution. Don't be angry, Beverly," the princess
said gently. "It is for his own sake, you see. I am acting on the
presumption that he is wholly innocent of any desire to betray us."
"It would be easy for someone high in position to accuse and convict
him," said Dangloss meaningly.
"And it would be just like someone, too," agreed Beverly, her thoughts,
with the others', going toward none but one man "high in power."
Later in the day she called Baldos to her side as they were riding in
the castle avenue. She was determined to try a little experiment of her
own.
"Baldos, what do you think of the fortress?" she
"I could overthrow it after half an hour's bombardment, your highness,"
he answered, without thinking. She started violently.
"Is it possible? Are there so many weak points?" she went on, catching
her breath.
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