Part 44 (2/2)

He was by now king or a fugitive The Lady of the Skies had given her decision The thrill ran through us; I felt the queen draw herself together at my side; I felt the ainst erness, and he gnawed his athered closer to one another At last we could bear the suspense no longer With one look at the queen and another at o and learn the answer; thus the unendurable strain that had stretched us like tortured men on a rack would be relieved The queen did not answer his glance, nor even seem to see that he had hts buried in his; for her happiness was in his hands and lay poised on the issue of that decision whose momentousness held him for a moment motionless on the path Often I seeht, and stately, the king a reat tiravel Rudolf heard it and turned his head

He saw Sapt, and he saw htly, but he did not move from where he was He held out both hands towards the constable and caught hi down in his face I was no nearer to reading his decision, though I saw that he had reached a resolution that was io on he would go on now, on to the end, without a backward look or a falter of his foot; if he had chosen the other way, he would depart without ahad ceased, she seeh he could no longer endure the waiting

Sapt's voice ca

”Well?” he cried ”Which is it to be--backward or forward?” Rudolf pressed his hands and looked into his eyes The answer asked but a word froive way, and she would have fallen if I had not supported her At the sa out of the dark line of tall trees, directly behind Mr Rassendyll Bernenstein uttered a loud startled cry and rushed forward, pushi+ng the queen herself violently out of his path His hand flew to his side, and he ripped the heavy cavalry sword that belonged to his uniform of the Cuirassiers of the Guard froht, but its flash was quenched in a brighter short blaze A shot rang out through the quiet gardens Mr Rassendyll did not loose his hold of Sapt's hands, but he sank slowly on to his knees Sapt seeain Bernenstein cried out It was a name this time ”Bauer! By God, Bauer!” he cried

In an instant he was across the path and by the trees The assassin fired again, but now he h above Bernenstein's head and heard it whistle through the air It crashed on the crown of Bauer's head, and he fell like a log to the ground with his skull split The queen's hold on me relaxed; she sank into Rischenheim's arms I ran forward and knelt by Mr Rassendyll He still held Sapt's hands, and by their help buoyed hio of the on my chest He h the back

Bauer had avenged the one to meet him

There was a sudden stir fro back and s thrown open The group we ht A er feet, and ere surrounded by officers and servants Bernenstein stood byon his sword; Sapt had not uttered a word; his face was distorted with horror and bitterness Rudolf's eyes were closed and his head lay back against ,” said I, in bald, stupid explanation

All at once I found James, Mr Rassendyll's servant, by me

”I have sent for doctors, my lord,” he said ”Come, let us carry him in”

He, Sapt and I lifted Rudolf and bore hiravel terrace and into the little saloon We passed the queen She was leaning on Rischenheim's arm, and held my wife's hand We laid Rudolf down on a couch Outside I heard Bernenstein say, ”Pick up that fellow and carry hiht” Then he also came in, followed by a crowd

He sent the for the surgeon The queen ca her ”Rudolf!

Rudolf!” she whispered, very softly

He opened his eyes, and his lips bent in a s herself on her knees and kissed his hand passionately ”The surgeon will be here directly,” said I

Rudolf's eyes had been on the queen As I spoke he looked up at ain, and shook his head I turned away

When the surgeon came Sapt and I assisted him in his examination The queen had been led away, and ere alone The examination was very short Then we carried Rudolf to a bed; the nearest chanced to be in Bernenstein's room; there we laid him, and there all that could be done for him was done All this tiiven no information We knew too well to ask: we had all seen men die before now, and the look on the face was familiar to us Two or threebeen hastily suood they were, they ht out in their beds They drew together in a little group at the end of the room and talked for a few ave him a drink of water Rudolf sed it with difficulty Then I saw him feebly press James's hand, for the little man's face was full of sorrow As his master smiled the servant mustered a sentlereatest of the may live an hour, Count Fritz Should you not send for a priest?”

I went straight back to Rudolf Rassendyll His eyes greeted me and questioned me He was a man, and I played no silly tricks with him I bent down and said: ”An hour, they think, Rudolf”

He made one restless movement, whether of pain or protest I do not know

Then he spoke, very low, slowly, and with difficulty

”Then they can go,” he said; and when I spoke of a priest he shook his head