"
"Oh, I'm not so rich as all that," she cried." Besides, I think it is
time for a general clearing-up of the mysteries. Are you Prince Dantan,
Prince Frederic, or that other one--Christobal somebody? Come, be fair
with me."
"It seems that all Edelweiss looks upon me as a prince in disguise. You
found me in the hills--"
"No; you found me. I have not forgotten, sir."
"I was a vagabond and a fugitive. My friends are hunted as I am. We have
no home. Why everyone should suspect me of being a prince I cannot
understand. Every roamer in the hills is not a prince. There is a price
upon my head, and there is a reward for the capture of every man who was
with me in the pass. My name is Paul Baldos, Miss Calhoun. There is no
mystery in that. If you were to mention it in a certain city, you would
quickly find that the name of Baldos is not unknown to the people who
are searching for him. No, your highness, I regret exceedingly that I
must destroy the absurd impression that I am of royal blood. Perhaps I
am spoiling a pretty romance, but it cannot be helped. I was Baldos, the
goat-hunter; I am now Baldos, the guard. Do you think that I would be
serving as a Graustark guard if I were any one of the men you mention?"
Beverly listened in wonder and some disappointment, it must be
confessed. Somehow a spark of hope was being forever extinguished by
this straightforward denial.
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