Part 29 (2/2)
”Ah, he's in a hurry,” they said ”He's kept the king waiting He'll get a wigging”
Asout and ran up the steps to the door I saife's face at the : she herself ran to the door and opened it for me
”Good God,” I whispered, ”do all these people know he's here, and take hi?”
”Yes,” she said ”We couldn't help it He showed himself at the door”
It orse than I dreamt: not two or three people, but all that croere victi was in Strelsau--ay, and had seen him
”Where is he? Where is he?” I asked, and followed her hastily to the roo side by side What I have told froa's description had just passed between theerly
I forgot the queen's presence and paid no sign of respect to her I caught Rudolf by the ar?”
”Yes,” he said ”Heavens, one by to-night”
”Gone? Hoill that help, since they believe you to be the king?”
”You can keep it froed ”I couldn't help it I can settle with Rupert and disappear”
The three were standing roundback noonder that I could speak to theain to reassure me He little knew the cause of what he saw
”It won't take long to settle affairs with Rupert,” said he ”And weafter all”
”The king will never see the letter,” I blurted out, as I sank back in a chair
They said nothing I looked round on their faces I had a strange feeling of helplessness, and see but throw the truth at them in blunt plainness Let the
”The king will never see the letter,” I repeated ”Rupert himself has insured that”
”What do you ot the letter?”
”No, no; but the king can never read it”
Then Rudolf seized me by the shoulder and fairly shook me; indeed I must have seemed like a man in a dreaent low tones Again I looked at them, but somehow this time my eyes were attracted and held by the queen's face I believe that she was the first to catch a hint of the tidings I brought Her lips were parted, and her gaze eagerly strained uponup stupidly at her, I said:
”He never can see the letter He's dead”
There was a little screaa; Rudolf neither spoke nor aze at me in motionless wonder and horror