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Miss yo' highness," groaned the trusty maidservant. Beverly laughed bravely but nervously with the tall goat-hunter. He at once set about making his guest comfortable and secure from the effects of the tempest, which was now at its height. Her couch of cushions was dragged far back into the cavern and the rescued blankets, though drenched, again became a screen.
The black patch once more covered his eye with defiant assertiveness. "They tell me you are Baldos, a goat-hunter," said Baron Dangloss, eyeing him keenly. "Yes." "And you were hurt in defending one who is of much consequence in Graustark. Sit down, my good fellow." Baldos' eyes gleamed coldly for an instant. Then he sank into a chair.
The chief was deeply interested in the story of the goat-hunter and his party. There was an odd gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, but she did not observe it. "You will see that he has immediate attention, won't you?" she implored in the end. "He shall have our deepest consideration," promised he.
The scowl left his face as far as nature would permit and he welcomed the ladies warmly. "I came to ask about my friend, the goat-hunter," said Beverly, her cheeks a trifle rosier than usual. "He is far from an amiable person, your highness," said the officer. When discussing Baldos he never failed to address Beverly as "your highness."
A blinding flash of lightning revealed Baldos, the goat-hunter, at her side, while a dozen shadowy figures were scrambling to their feet in all corners of the Hawk and Raven. Someone was clutching her by the dress at the knees. She did not have to look down to know that it was Aunt Fanny. "Goodness!" gasped the princess, and then it was pitch dark again.
Desecrate the couch of Graustark's ruler? I, the poor goat-hunter? I'll use the lion for a pillow and the rock for an operating table. In ten minutes my men can have these scratches dressed and bound in fact, there is a surgical student among them, poor fellow. I think I am his first patient. Ravone, attend me."
When the visitor was ushered into the snug little room of the governor's office, her heart was throbbing and her composure was undergoing a most unusual strain. It annoyed her to discover that the approaching contact with an humble goat-hunter was giving her such unmistakable symptoms of perturbation.
No, your highness, I regret exceedingly that I must destroy the absurd impression that I am of royal blood. Perhaps I am spoiling a pretty romance, but it cannot be helped. I was Baldos, the goat-hunter; I am now Baldos, the guard. Do you think that I would be serving as a Graustark guard if I were any one of the men you mention?"
That there was a mystery surrounding the character of Baldos, the goat-hunter, Dangloss did not question for an instant: and in spite of the instructions received at the outset, he was using all his skill to unravel it. Baldos was not summoned to the castle until noon. His serene indifference to the outcome of the visit was calculated to deceive the friendly but watchful Haddan.
A poor goat-hunter can only look upon the rich American girl as a sovereign whom he must worship from far below." "Oh, I'm not so rich as all that," she cried." Besides, I think it is time for a general clearing-up of the mysteries. Are you Prince Dantan, Prince Frederic, or that other one Christobal somebody? Come, be fair with me."
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