"Then Sturatzberg is in uproar?"
"No; it is strangely quiet, all things considered—that quiet which presages a storm. The King would strike if he knew where to strike, but he hardly knows who are his enemies."
"The sight of me would give him some idea where to aim a blow," said
Ellerey.
"Yes; and yet he might think twice before striking it. You have powerful friends, one very powerful friend—one very powerful friend."
"You do not mean her Majesty?"
"I think you know I do not, Captain Ellerey," the Baron answered. "It was the Countess Mavrodin who bid me come."
"I know that the cause of Princess Maritza is dear to her," said Ellerey quietly.
"It is, and to me," said the Baron; "and yet we are probably not doing the best for it by bringing two dozen horsemen into the hills. There are no more behind. Our calling back as though there were was a stratagem to strike greater terror into the brigands. No, Captain, the Countess bid me come to rescue the Princess, and you, to aid your escape out of Wallaria if need be, and her command is my law. Do we understand each other, Captain Ellerey?"
They looked into each other's eyes for a moment.
"Do you understand why I forced a duel upon you?" Petrescu went on. "I might tell you that I believed the Queen's token was in your possession; it would be true; but that was not uppermost in my thoughts when we stood face to face. Therefore, when I come to you at her bidding, you may well trust me, since I have little to win by it."