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The days of waiting are ever the longest days to live through, and the hours had dragged heavily for Frina Mavrodin since Baron Petrescu had started for the hills. Hardly anyone saw her except Hannah, and the old serving woman pitied her, judging her distress by her own.
Just before dawn the brigand stopped; his memory had been excellently aroused. "We approach an open space where my people sometimes halt," he said. Two men were sent forward to reconnoitre, but found the place empty, and here they halted. "How much farther to where Vasilici is?" asked Petrescu. "We should reach the place by noon," the brigand answered; "but he may have moved.
"Are we not all friends here?" exclaimed Baron Petrescu hastily. "There is some mistake. Tell us your story again," and he turned to a man who had only ceased speaking as the newcomers had entered. He had come in breathless haste at the very moment that Petrescu had brought Desmond Ellerey and Stefan through the garden.
"No," said Baron Petrescu, sharply, as though he were afraid some different answer would be given, but Ellerey could not help believing that the cause, whatever it might be, was at the bottom of the whole affair, that the Baron had designedly insulted him that evening because of it, and that his speedy removal was considered necessary to the well-being of it.
It was in this spirit that she made her complaint to the King, for the time might come when her house would prove the only safe refuge for Ellerey. It was in this spirit that, with her maid in attendance, she presently went to visit Baron Petrescu. The Baron's wound had not proved serious, but it had kept him to the house.
Baron Petrescu will come to-night if possible, but extreme caution is needed. I came on. I am of no importance and pass unnoticed. I have visited a score of places in the city already, and I have much more to do before sunset." "Does Captain Ellerey return to Sturatzberg?" asked Frina thoughtfully. "Aye; and he is a man whose equal these eyes are never likely to see again. He is fit to be a king."
The work of planting gardens and cutting carriage roads through the nearer stretches of the forest which touched the city on this side was due to Ferdinand I, whose statue stood in the Grande Place, the only useful action of which he had ever been guilty, it was said. Early in the morning men riding in the Bois had inquired of one another whether the story concerning Baron Petrescu were true.
Maritza gave a quick order to a man near her, and immediately other men were hurrying to strengthen the position. "Who commands?" asked Ellerey, turning to the Baron. "The Princess," was the answer. "A dozen leaders fight for me," said Maritza; "but I look to you and the Baron to advise me." "What forces have you in the city beside these?" Ellerey asked, turning to Petrescu.
Such a man was, for the most part, after the heart of the feminine portion of the Sturatzberg Court, and that he played the part well the Queen's smile constantly assured him. In one point, however, Ellerey was peculiarly unsuccessful. He had been attracted to Baron Petrescu, and went to some trouble to become acquainted with him, but to no purpose.
"Vasilici is a truculent villain," Ellerey answered. "He is not likely to forget, or forgive, that shot which saved my life." "Then you would follow her?" "Stefan and I had decided to do so when those fellows stole back to prevent us. We should have taken our chance after dark to-night." Petrescu was thoughtful for a time. "I hardly know what course to advise," he said presently.
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