"Count Marlanx is our informant."
"Then Count Marlanx lies," came coolly from the guard. A snarl of fury
burst from the throat of the deposed general. His eyes were red and his
tongue was half palsied by rage.
"Dog! Dog!" he shouted, running down the steps. "Infamous dog! I swear
by my soul that he--"
"Where is your proof, Count Marlanx?" sternly interrupted Lorry. "You
have made a serious accusation against our honored guest. It cannot be
overlooked."
Marlanx hesitated a moment, and then threw his bomb at the feet of the
conspirators.
"I was in the chapel when she opened the secret panel for him."
Not a word was uttered for a full minute. It was Beverly Calhoun who
spoke first. She was as calm as a spring morning.
"If all this be true, Count Marlanx, may I ask why you, the head of
Graustark's army, did not intercept the spy when you had the chance?"
Marlanx flushed guiltily. The question had caught him unprepared. He
dared not acknowledge his presence there with the hired assassins.
"I--I was not in a position to restrain him," he fumbled.
"You preferred to wait until he was safely gone before making the effort
to protect Graustark from his evil designs. Is that it? What was your
object in going to the chapel? To pray? Besides, what right had you to
enter the castle in the night?" she asked ironically.
"Your highness, may I be heard?" asked Baldos easily.
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