In broken, jerky sentences, Ravone explained to the colonel that they
were a party of actors on their way to Edelweiss, but that they had been
advised to give the place a wide berth. Now they were making the best of
a hard journey to Serros, where they expected but little better
success. He produced certain papers of identification which Quinnox
examined and approved, much to Beverly's secret amazement. The princess
and the colonel exchanged glances and afterwards a few words in subdued
tones. Yetive looked furtively at Beverly and then at Baldos as if to
enquire whether these men were the goat-hunters she had come to know by
word of mouth. The two faces were hopelessly non-committal.
Suddenly Baldos's horse reared and began to plunge as if in terror, so
that the rider kept his seat only by means of adept horsemanship. Ravone
leaped forward and at the risk of injury clutched the plunging steed by
the bit. Together they partially subdued the animal and Baldos swung to
the ground at Ravone's side. Miss Calhoun's horse in the meantime had
caught the fever. He pranced off to the roadside before she could get
him under control.
She was thus in a position to observe the two men on the
ground. Shielded from view by the body of the horse, they were able to
put the finishing touches to the trick Baldos had cleverly
worked. Beverly distinctly saw the guard and the beggar exchange bits of
paper, with glances that meant more than the words they were unable to
utter.
Baldos pressed into Ravone's hand a note of some bulk and received in
exchange a mere slip of paper. The papers disappeared as if by magic,
and the guard was remounting his horse before he saw that the act had
been detected. The expression of pain and despair in Beverly's face sent
a cold chill over him from head to foot.
She turned sick with apprehension. Her faith had received a stunning
blow. Mutely she watched the vagabonds withdraw in peace, free to go
where they pleased. The excursionists turned to the main road. Baldos
fell back to his accustomed place, his imploring look wasted. She was
strangely, inexplicably depressed for the rest of the day.