Part 30 (2/2)
”Yes, once, one
The queen stood for yet another id Then suddenly she walked or stu herself on her knees, hid her face in Helga's lap; I heard her sobs break out fast and tu down her cheeks I turned and went out Perhaps Helga could coht send her coh she for her sin's sake dared not ask it of Hi worse scored to my account
CHAPTER XV A PASTIME FOR COLONEL SAPT
THE Constable of Zenda and James, Mr Rassendyll's servant, sat at breakfast in the hunting-lodge They were in the sentle: they chose it now because it commanded a view of the approach The door of the house was securely fastened; they were prepared to refuse admission; in case refusal was i's body and that of his huntsman Herbert were co had ridden out with his hunts but not stating where he was going; Sapt was under orders to await his return, and Ja instructions froainst discovery, they looked for news from me which should determine their future action
Meanwhile there was an interval of enforced idleness Sapt, his reat pipe; Jaht a ss stretched before him His broere knit, and a curious half-s about, friend James?” asked the constable between two puffs He had taken a fancy to the alert, ready little fellow
James smoked for a moment, and then took his pipe fro is dead--”
He paused
”The king is no doubt dead, poor fellow,” said Sapt, nodding
”That since he's certainly dead, and since my master, Mr Rassendyll, is alive--”
”So far as we know, James,” Sapt reminded him
”Why, yes, sir, so far as we know Since, then, Mr Rassendyll is alive and the king is dead, I was thinking that it was a great pity, sir, that ” James looked across at the constable with an air of a estion
”A rerin
”You don't agree with ly
”I don't say that it isn't a pity, for RudolfBut you see it's impossible, isn't it?”
James nursed his knee between his hands, and his pipe, which he had replaced, stuck out of one corner of his mouth
”When you say impossible, sir,” he remarked deferentially, ”I venture to differ from you”
”You do? Come, we're at leisure Let's hear hoould be possible”
”My an James
”Well, most likely”
”I'm sure of it, sir If he's been there, he will be taken for the king”
”That has happened before, and no doubt ain, unless--”