Part 11 (1/2)
”Till we join you,” corrected Bernenstein eagerly
”No,” said the constable, ”you must look after our friend here Come, Lieutenant, it's all in the queen's service”
”Besides,” added Rudolf with a smile, ”neither the colonel nor I would let you have a chance at Rupert He's our game, isn't he, Sapt?”
The colonel nodded Rudolf in his turn took paper, and here is the strasse, Strelsau--All well He has what I had, but wishes to see what you have He and I will be at the hunting-lodge at ten this evening Bring it and meet us The business is unsuspected--R”
Rudolf threw the paper across to Sapt; Bernenstein leant over the constable's shoulder and read it eagerly
”I doubt if it would bringthe paper down
”It'll bring Rupert to Hentzau Why not? He'll know that the king ish to meet him unknown to the queen, and also unknown to you, Sapt, since you wereto choose than his hunting-lodge, where he is accusto him, depend on it Why, man, Rupert would come even if he suspected; and why should he suspect?”
”They may have a cipher, he and Rischenheim,” objected Sapt
”No, or Rupert would have sent the address in it,” retorted Rudolf quickly
”Then--when he co as Rischenheim found, and Sapt, here, at his elbow”
”But he'll know you,” objected Bernenstein
”Ay, I think he'll know me,” said Rudolf with a smile ”Meanwhile we send for Fritz to co”
”And Rischenheim?”
”That's your share, Lieutenant Sapt, is any one at Tarlenheim?”
”No Count Stanislas has put it at Fritz's disposal”
”Good; then Fritz's two friends, the Count of Luzau-Rischenheim and Lieutenant von Bernenstein, will ride over there to-day The constable of Zenda will give the lieutenant twenty-four hours' leave of absence, and the two gentlemen will pass the day and sleep at the chateau They will pass the day side by side, Bernenstein, not losing sight of one another for an instant, and they will pass the night in the same room
And one of them will not close his eyes nor take his hand off the butt of his revolver”
”Very good, sir,” said young Bernenstein
”If he tries to escape or give any alaret to safe hiding, and, if you can, let us know”
”Yes,” said Bernenstein si of the peril and ruin that her Majesty's service h from Rischenheim attracted their attention He had strained his ears to listen till his head ached, but the talkers had been careful, and he had heard nothing that threw light on their deliberations He had now given up his vain attempt, and sat in listless inattention, sunk in an apathy
”I don't think he'll give you much trouble,” whispered Sapt to Bernenstein, with a jerk of his thuive youhis hand on the lieutenant's arm
”Yes, that's a wise ly ”We ell governed, Lieutenant, when this Rudolf was king”
”Wasn't I also his loyal subject?” asked young Bernenstein
”Yes, wounded in my service,” added Rudolf; for he remembered how the boy--he was little more then--had been fired upon in the park of Tarlenhei taken for Mr Rassendyll himself