"They wouldn't dare!" she exclaimed." Uncle Sam would annihilate them In
a week."
"Uncle Sam? Is he related to your Aunt Fanny? I'm afraid he could do
but little against Volga's fighting men," he said, with a smile.
"They'd soon find out who Uncle Sam is if they touch me," she threatened
grandly. He seemed puzzled, but was too polite to press her for
explanations. "But, he is a long way off and couldn't do much if we were
suddenly attacked from ambush, could he? What would they do to me if I
were taken, as you suggest?" she was more concerned than she appeared to
be.
"With you in their hands, Graustark would be utterly helpless. Volga
could demand anything she liked, and your ministry would be forced to
submit."
"I really think it would be a capital joke on the Princess Volga," mused
Beverly reflectively. He did not know what she meant, but regarded her
soft smile as the clear title to the serenity of a princess.
She sank back and gave herself over to the complications that were
likely to grow out of her involuntary deception. The one thing which
worried her more than all others was the fear that Yetive might not be
in Edelweiss. According to all reports, she had lately been in
St. Petersburg and the mere fact that she was supposed to be traveling
by coach was sufficient proof that she was not at her capital. Then
there was, of course, the possibility of trouble on the road with the
Axphain scouts, but Beverly enjoyed the optimism of youth and
civilization.
Baldos, the goat-hunter, was dreamily thinking of the beautiful young
woman at his side and of the queer freak Fortune had played in bringing
them together. As he studied her face he could not but lament that
marriage, at least, established a barrier between her and the advances
his bold heart might otherwise be willing to risk. His black hair
straggled down over his forehead and his dark eyes--the patch had been
surreptitiously lifted--were unusually pensive.
"It is strange that you live in Graustark and have not seen its
princess--before," she said, laying groundwork for enquiry concerning
the acts and whereabouts of the real princess.
"May it please your highness, I have not lived long in
Graustark. Besides, it is said that half the people of Ganlook have
never looked upon your face."
"I'm not surprised at that. The proportion is much smaller than I
imagined. I have not visited Ganlook, strange as it may seem to you."
"One of my company fell in with some of your guards from the Ganlook
garrison day before yesterday. He learned that you were to reach that
city within forty-eight hours. A large detachment of men has been sent
to meet you at Labbot."
"Oh, indeed," said Beverly, very much interested.