could not live in the city," he went on with grim humor. For the first
time, Beverly noticed that he wore a huge black patch over his left eye,
held in place by a cord. He appeared more formidable than ever under the
light of critical inspection.



CHAPTER IV

THE RAGGED RETINUE


"I am very much relieved," said Beverly, who was not at all relieved."
But why have you stopped us in this manner?"

"Stopped you?" cried the man with the patch. "I implore you to unsay
that, your highness. Your coach was quite at a standstill before we knew
of its presence. You do us a grave injustice."

"It's very strange," muttered Beverly, somewhat taken aback.

"Have you observed that it is quite dark?" asked the leader, putting
away his brief show of indignation.

"Dear me; so it is!" cried she, now able to think more clearly.

"And you are miles from an inn or house of any kind," he went on. "Do
you expect to stay here all night?"

"I'm--I'm not afraid," bravely shivered Beverly.