Part 26 (2/2)
”What was his name?”
”Rassendyll, sire,” he answered; and I saw that the na at Flavia, he lowered his voice, as he went on: ”It is thought that he may have followed a lady here Has your Majesty heard of a certain Madame de Mauban?”
”Why, yes,” said I,towards the Castle
”She arrived in Ruritania about the salance; he was regarding e on his face
”Sapt,” said I, ”I must speak a word to the Prefect Will you ride on a few paces with the princess?” And I added to the Prefect: ”Come, sir, what do you mean?”
He drew close to me, and I bent in the saddle
”If he were in love with the lady?” he whispered ”Nothing has been heard of him for two months;” and this time it was the eye of the Prefect which travelled towards the Castle
”Yes, the lady is there,” I said quietly ”But I don't suppose Mr
Rassendyll--is that the name?--is”
”The duke,” he whispered, ”does not like rivals, sire”
”You're right there,” said I, with all sincerity ”But surely you hint at a very grave charge?”
He spread his hands out in apology I whispered in his ear:
”This is a grave matter Go back to Strelsau--”
”But, sire, if I have a clue here?”
”Go back to Strelsau,” I repeated ”Tell the Ambassador that you have a clue, but that you einto the , sir”
”You must quiet him Come, sir; you see that if your suspicions are correct, it is an affair in which we must move with caution We can have no scandal Mind you return tonight”
He promised to obey me, and I rode on to rejoin my companions, a little easier in my mind Enquiries after me must be stopped at all hazards for a week or two; and this clever official had coht be useful soht e Featherly for not holding his tongue
”Well,” asked Flavia, ”have you finished your business?”
”Most satisfactorily,” said I ”Co on my brother's territory”
We were, in fact, at the extrein tothe e winding slowly down the hill On it cao back,” said Sapt