Part 30 (1/2)
”Rupert killed him,” said I ”The boar-hound attacked Rupert; then Herbert and the king attacked hi is dead He's dead”
Now none spoke The queen's eyes never left my face ”Yes, he's dead”
said I; and I watched her eyes still For a long while (or long it seeh drawn by some irresistible force, they turned away I followed the new line they took
She looked at Rudolf Rassendyll, and he at her Helga had taken out her handkerchief, and, utterly upset by the horror and shock, was lying back in a low chair, sobbing half-hysterically; I saw the swift look that passed frorief, re joy He did not speak to her, but put out his hand and took hers She drew it away almost sharply, and covered her face with both hands
Rudolf turned to ht”
”And the He's at the lodge?”
”Yes, with Sapt and Ja my senses and my coolness
”nobody knows yet,” I said ”We were afraid you ht be taken for him by somebody But, my God, Rudolf, what's to be done now?”
Mr Rassendyll's lips were set firhtly, and his blue eyes wore a curious entranced expression He see, even of us ith him, in some one idea that possessed hihtly touched his arain into his reverie
”What's to be done, Rudolf?” I asked again
”I' to kill Rupert of Hentzau,” he said ”The rest we'll talk of afterwards”
He walked rapidly across the roo the bell ”Clear those people away,” he ordered ”Tell thee round for me Don't be more than ten minutes”
The servant received his peremptory orders with a lo, and left us
The queen, who had been all this tiitation, which even the consciousness of our presence could not enable her to hide
”Rudolf, o? Since--since this has happened--”
”Hush, my dearest lady,” he whispered Then he went onRupert of Hentzau alive Fritz, send word to Sapt that the king is in Strelsau--he will understand--and that instructions fro will follow by midday
When I have killed Rupert, I shall visit the lodge on o, but the queen, following, detained hio?” she pleaded
”But I ought not,” said he, his resolute eyes suddenly softening in a marvelous fashi+on
”You will?”
”Yes,up, for a sudden dread laid hold on me
”Heavens, strasse?”
Rudolf turned to me; there was a look of surprise on his face ”He won't killstill in Rudolf's face, and forgetful now, as it seemed, of the dream that had so terrified her, took no notice of what I said, but urged again: ”You'll come, Rudolf?”