One
word from her would have ended everything for Baldos. She saw through
the Iron Count's ruse as if by divine inspiration and profited where he
least expected her to excel in shrewdness. Marlanx had deliberately
invited the assault by the guard. His object had been to snare Baldos
into his own undoing, and a horrible undoing it would have been. One
blow would have secured the desired result. Nothing could have saved the
guard who had struck his superior officer. But Beverly thought in time.
"To die is easy, your highness. You have but to ask it of me," said
Baldos, whose face was white and drawn.
"She has no intention of demanding such a pleasant sacrifice" observed
Count Marlanx, covering his failure skilfully. "Later on, perhaps, she
may sign your death warrant. I am proud to hear, sir, that a member of
my corps has the courage to face the inevitable, even though he be an
alien and unwilling to die on the field of battle. You have my
compliments, sir. You have been on irksome duty for several hours and
must be fatigued as well as hungry. A soldier suffers many deprivations,
not the least of which is starvation in pursuit of his calling. Mess is
not an unwelcome relief to you after all these arduous hours. You may
return to the barracks at once. The princess is under my care for the
remainder of the campaign."
Baldos looked first at her and then at the sarcastic old general.
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