Part 35 (1/2)
”The Count of Luzau-Rischenheim may be trusted to be silent,” she said
”We ask hiainst his cousin We ask only his silence”
”Ay,” said I, braving her anger, ”but what security shall we have?”
”His word of honor, my lord” I knew that a rebuke tome ”my lord,” for, save on formal occasions, she always used to call ruht,” said Rischenhei,” said the queen, siven to me”
Rischenheim looked at her and seemed about to address her, but then he turned to me, and said in a low tone:
”By Heaven, I will, Tarlenhei--”
”My lord,” said she hten the burden on er feel your honor stained through o to the palace” And she went to hi for it but to trust him I knew that I could not turn her
”Then I'll see if the carriage is ready,” said I
”Yes, do, Fritz,” said the queen But as I passed she stoppedin a whisper, ”Show that you trust him”
I went and held out my hand to him He took and pressed it
”On my honor,” he said
Then I went out and found Bernenstein sitting on a bench in the hall
The lieutenant was a diligent and watchful younghis revolver with sedulous care
”You can put that away,” said I rather peevishly--I had not fancied shaking hands with Rischenheier He's one of us now”
”The deuce he is!” cried Bernenstein, springing to his feet
I told him briefly what had happened, and how the queen had won Rupert's instrument to be her servant
”I suppose he'll stick to it,” I ended; and I thought he would, though I was not eager for his help
A light gleamed in Bernenstein's eyes, and I felt a tremble in the hand that he laid on my shoulder
”Then there's only Bauer now,” he whispered ”If Rischenheim's with us, only Bauer!”
I knew very hat he meant With Rischenheim silent, Bauer was the only man, save Rupert hireat scherew upon us with an increasing force of attraction as every obstacle to it seemed to be cleared out of the way But I would not look at Bernenstein, fearing to acknowledge even with my eyes how my mind jumped with his He was bolder, or less scrupulous--which you will
”Yes, if we can shut Bauer's e,” I interrupted snappishly