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Thus the spell was broken and, with a more dismal duty to be performed, we sent for Smilax to bring the camp spade leaving Monsieur to find Doloria and talk with her, for I had excused him from the contract Tommy made aboard the Whim, wanting to remove uncertainties as soon as possible. Gates entered a careful record in his notebook of identification marks on the three men we found dead.
They were honestly glad, and made no pretense of disguising their admiration for Doloria, to the increasing wrath of Echochee.
"Well, it couldn't be a direful prophecy, anyhow, when your mother and your throne are waiting just around the corner, as it were. The direful part of your life has passed, and most appropriately your name has changed from Doloria to Princess though, of the two, I prefer Doloria." "When it means sorrow?" "It only means sorrow to those you leave.
She all right now. You through?" And, since I was through, she gave another grunt, leaving me with the suspicion that she thought I was a very small boy. When finally the others came in sight Doloria walked at the side of Tommy, while Monsieur followed in some discomfiture of mind. His hair was tousled, and his eyes were thoughtful.
He came back for luncheon and immediately left again, having given us no intimation of his progress. I did not know what Doloria might be suffering from these visits, but they made me so abominably restive that during the afternoon I took a pine and crossed to the mainland, half-heartedly intending to look for deer. It was nearly sundown when I returned.
Whirling about, I saw emerging from a near-by point in the ditch several figures, shouting and waving their hats. "Tommy," I yelled, "Gates, Echochee, Smilax!" I did not name them all, but turned quickly as Doloria flew into my arms. "We're saved, sweetheart! The dice have rolled for us!" She was crying a little, clinging to my neck, talking fast, but saying only one thing.
They would have no alternative now but to come forward quickly or retreat. I think Doloria realized that anything might be about to happen, for she laid the other rifle in position on the parapet, rather casually asking: "Will it matter if I stand on the canteens? They raise me just high enough!"
Doloria, too, thought the end had come, and gave one despairing cry that I shall remember if I live a thousand years. Through my blurred vision I got a glimpse of her face, a blending of courage and horror and purpose, as she raised the automatic to her temple. And then by some divine insight I sprang and snatched it away.
Tommy kneeled and called in a loud voice close to his ear, hoping to reach a consciousness that had receded far into the shadows. "I know who did it," I interrupted. "Quick! While there's time let me ask something we're not so sure about!" And, taking Tommy's place, I called: "Is Doloria the princess of Azuria?"
This gave her eyes, her uplifted face, her slightly parted lips, a new glory, and I involuntarily exclaimed: "Doloria of the Golden Dawn!" She knew then that I was there and, without turning, reached back one hand to me. Impulsively I took it, raised it to my lips, but afraid to hold it longer I stepped aside as if awaiting her commands.
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