e, it was dark among the trees, and I caught the fellow in the rear
as he ran away. He would naturally think that the man who caught him
was the one who jumped as he fired."

Mark smoked thoughtfully before he spoke.

"You're right, Saunders. My complacency is not so great that I do not
recognize the danger. I merely am indifferent to danger under the
present circumstances. It's no use running away from it, and we can't
help it now. Let's go to bed."

"Well, those English-Irish nerves get me," Saunders answered, as he
arose and walked toward the door. "I suppose they're a good thing to
have; but, Griffin, take it from me, you're the worst lump of ice I
ever saw. Aren't you even just a little afraid?"

"Oh, yes," answered Mark, "I'm afraid all right, old man; I really am
afraid. But there is somebody I am more afraid for than myself. I am
worried about the lady."

Mark thought of what he had seen as he lay near the tree. Walking over
to the window, he thoughtfully pulled down the blind before he turned
again to Saunders. "I shall always love her, no matter what happens.
Of course, I can't marry a grand duchess, especially one who is watched
day and night; but I rather welcome the chance to stay near and protect
her good name if the story does come out. That is why I won't go to
jail for safety, not if I can prevent it."

Saunders closed the half-opened door and walked back into the room.

"Protect her? I don't understand," he said. Clearly bewildered, he
sat down, carelessly swinging one leg over an arm of the big chair, and
stared at his host.

Mark looked up. He spoke haughtily, with a slight shrug of the
shoulders.

"There is a British Ambassador in Washington. You have a free country,
so I can always talk to him, even if I am a prisoner or on bail. I
happen to be brother to a baron; that fact may prove useful, for the
first time in my life. One word that involves her name in scandal,
even as Ruth Atheson, brings the story out. And Great Britain does not
particularly care about your certain Big Kingdom. I am presuming, of
course, that I have rightly guessed what Big Kingdom is looking after
the interests of your Grand Duchy."

"You're right, Griffin; the Ministry could never let her name be
mentioned."

"As the grand duchess, no. But they could mention the name of Ruth
Atheson, the Padre's friend, the Lady Bountiful of his poor, the girl I
love. The Padre has had trouble enough, too