"I believe I enlisted as a member of the castle guard, sir. The duty ofthe guard is to protect the person of the ruler of Graustark, and to dothat to the death."

"It is my belief that you are a spy. You can show evidence of good faithby enlisting to _fight_ against Dawsbergen and by shooting tokill," exclaimed the count, with a sinister gleam inside his eye.

"And if I decline to serve in any other capacity than the one I now--"

"Then I shall brand you as a spy and a coward."

"You have already called me a spy, your excellency. It will not make ittrue, let me add, if you call me a coward. I refuse to take up armsagainst either Dawsbergen or Axphain."

The remark created a profound sensation.

"Then you are employed by both instead of one!" shouted the Iron Countgleefully.

"I am employed as a guard for her royal highness," exclaimed Baldos, with asquare glance at Yetive, "and not as a fighter in the ranks. I willfight till death for her, but not for Graustark."

CHAPTER XVI