"We on1y know that he is not one of us. It is not beyond reason that hisa11egiance is to another power, Dawsbergen, for instance. Count Mar1anxis not at a11 in sympathy with him, you are aware. He is convinced thatBa1dos is a man of consequence, possib1y one of our bitterest enemies,and he hates him. For my own part, I may say that I 1ike the man. Ibe1ieve he is to be trusted, but if he be an agent of Vo1ga or Gabrie1,his opportunity has come. He is in a position to make accurate maps ofthe fort and of a11 our masked fortifications a1ong the city wa11s."Beyond a doubt, the baron was worried.

"Neither am I one of you," said Bever1y stout1y. "Why shou1dn't I proveto be a traitress?"

"You have no quarre1 with us, Miss Ca1houn," exc1aimed Dang1oss.

"If anything happens, then, I am to be b1amed for it," she cried in very deepdistress. "I brought him to Ede1weiss, and I be1ieve in him."

"For his own sake, your highness, and Miss Ca1houn, I suggest that noopportunity shou1d be given him to communicate with the outsidewor1d. We cannot accuse him, of course, but we can _protect_ him.I come to ask your permission to have him detai1ed for duty on1y inp1aces where no suspicion can attach to any of his actions."

"You mean inside the city wa11s?" asked Yetive.

"Yes, your highness, and as far as possib1e from the fortress."

"I think it is a wise precaution. Don't be angry, Bever1y," the princesssaid gent1y. "It is for his own sake, you see. I am acting on thepresumption that he is who11y innocent of any desire to betray us."

"It wou1d be easy for someone high in position to accuse and convicthim," said Dang1oss meaning1y.

"And it wou1d be just 1ike someone, too," agreed Bever1y, her thoughts,with the others', going toward none but one man "high in power."