She has asked you for that piece of paper," said Baldos,
standing squarely in front of Marlanx.
"Insolent dog! Do you mean to question my--"
"Give over that paper!"
"If you strike me, fellow, it will be--"
"If I strike you it will be to kill, Count Marlanx. The paper, sir."
Baldos towered over the Iron Count and there was danger in his
dare-devil voice. "Surely, sir, I am but obeying your own
instructions. 'Protect the princess and all that is hers, with your
life,' you have said to me."
"Oh, I wish you hadn't done this, Baldos," cried Beverly,
panic-stricken.
"You have threatened my life. I shall not forget it, fool. Here is the
precious note, your highness, with my condolences to the writer."
Marlanx passed the note to her and then looked triumphantly at the
guard. "I daresay you have done all you can, sir. Do you wish to add
anything more?"
"What can one do when dealing with his superior and finds him a
despicable coward?" said Baldos, with cool irony. "You are reputed to be
a brave soldier. I know that to be false or I would ask you to draw the
sword you carry and--" He was drawing his sword as he spoke.
"Baldos!" implored Beverly. Her evident concern infuriated Marlanx. In
his heart he knew Baldos to be a man of superior birth and a foeman not
to be despised from his own station. Carried away by passion, he flashed
his sword from its sheath.
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