Part 41 (1/2)
Theas aited in utter perplexity, alht was in the mind of all of us, silently ied What could have brought thereat secret, save its discovery?
They would never have left their post while the fulfilment of their trust was possible By so's body 's death was known, and the news of it ht any moment astonish and bewilder the city
At last the door was flung open, and a servant announced the Constable of Zenda Sapt was covered with dust and mud, and Jaht Evidently they had ridden hard and furiously; indeed they were still panting Sapt, with a ht to where Rudolf stood
”Is he dead?” he asked, without preface
”Yes, Rupert is dead,” answered Mr Rassendyll: ”I killed him”
”And the letter?”
”I burnt it”
”And Rischenheim?”
The queen struck in
”The Count of Luzau-Rischenheiainst me,” she said
Sapt lifted his brows a little ”Well, and Bauer?” he asked
”Bauer's at large,” I answered
”Hu tolerably well pleased Then his eyes fell on Rudolf and Bernenstein He stretched out his hand and pointed to their riding-boots ”Whither away so late at night?” he asked
”First together to the lodge, to find you, then I alone to the frontier,” said Mr Rassendyll
”One thing at a time The frontier ait What does your Majesty ith e?”
”I want so to contrive that I shall be no longer your Majesty,” said Rudolf
Sapt flung hiloves
”Come, tell ave a short and hurried account He listened with few signs of approval or disapproval, but I thought I saw a gleam in his eyes when I described how all the city had hailed Rudolf as its king and the queen received hiain the hope and vision, shattered by Rudolf's calm resolution, inspired me Sapt said little, but he had the air of ae told hi already known to him but unknown to us The little servant stood all the while in respectful stillness by the door; but I could see by a glance at his alert face that he followed the whole scene with keen attention
At the end of the story, Rudolf turned to Sapt ”And your secret--is it safe?” he asked
”Ay, it's safe enough!”
”nobody has seen what you had to hide?”
”No; and nobody knows that the king is dead,” answered Sapt
”Then what brings you here?”