Even Marlanx looked at his enemy with something like
collapse in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" cried Lorry, seizing him by the arm.
"I mean that Prince Dantan is here to announce the recapture of Gabriel,
his half-brother. Before the hour is past your own men from the dungeon
in the mountains will come to report the return of the fugitive. This
announcement may explain in a measure the conduct that has earned for me
the accusation which confronts me. The men who have retaken Gabriel are
the members of that little band you have heard so much about. Once I was
its captain, Prince Dantan's chief of staff--the commander of his ragged
army of twelve. Miss Calhoun and fate brought me into Edelweiss, but my
loyalty to the object espoused by our glorious little army has never
wavered. Without me they have succeeded in tricking and trapping
Gabriel. It is more than the great army of Graustark could do. Your
highness will pardon the boast under the circumstances?"
"If this Is true, you have accomplished a miracle," exclaimed Lorry,
profoundly agitated. "But can it be true? I can't believe it. It is too
good. It is too utterly improbable. Is that really Prince Dantan?"
"Assuming that it is Dantan, Grenfall," said Yetive, "I fancy it is not
courteous in us to let him stand over there all alone and ignored. Go to
him, please." With that she passed through the doors, accompanied by
Beverly and the young princess.
Pages:
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317