"Rupert killed him," said I. "The boar-hound attacked Rupert; then Herbert and the king attacked him; and he killed them all. Yes, the king 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 seemed) they were on my face; at last, as though drawn by some irresistible force, they turned away. I followed the new line they took.
She looked at Rudolf Ra.s.sendyll, 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 pa.s.sed from the queen to her lover, carrying in it grief, remorse, and most unwilling 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 me. "When was it?"
"Last night."
"And the.... He"s at the lodge?"
"Yes, with Sapt and James."
I was recovering my senses and my coolness.
"n.o.body knows yet," I said. "We were afraid you might be taken for him by somebody. But, my G.o.d, Rudolf, what"s to be done now?"
Mr. Ra.s.sendyll"s lips were set firm and tight. He frowned slightly, and his blue eyes wore a curious entranced expression. He seemed to me to be forgetful of everything, even of us who were with him, in some one idea that possessed him. The queen herself came nearer to him and lightly touched his arm with her hand. He started as though surprised, then fell again into his reverie.
"What"s to be done, Rudolf?" I asked again.
"I"m going to kill Rupert of Hentzau," he said. "The rest we"ll talk of afterwards."
He walked rapidly across the room and rang the bell. "Clear those people away," he ordered. "Tell them that I want to be quiet. Then send a closed carriage round for me. Don"t be more than ten minutes."
The servant received his peremptory orders with a low bow, and left us.
The queen, who had been all this time outwardly calm and composed, now fell into a great agitation, which even the consciousness of our presence could not enable her to hide.
"Rudolf, must you go? Since--since this has happened--"
"Hush, my dearest lady," he whispered. Then he went on more loudly, "I won"t quit Ruritania a second time leaving Rupert of Hentzau alive. Fritz, send word to Sapt that the king is in Strelsau--he will understand--and that instructions from the king will follow by midday.
When I have killed Rupert, I shall visit the lodge on my way to the frontier."
He turned to go, but the queen, following, detained him for a minute.
"You"ll come and see me before you go?" she pleaded.
"But I ought not," said he, his resolute eyes suddenly softening in a marvelous fashion.
"You will?"
"Yes, my queen."
Then I sprang up, for a sudden dread laid hold on me.
"Heavens, man," I cried, "what if he kills you--there in the Konigstra.s.se?"
Rudolf turned to me; there was a look of surprise on his face. "He won"t kill me," he answered.
The queen, looking still 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?"
"Yes, once, my queen," and with a last kiss of her hand he was gone.
The queen stood for yet another moment where she was, still and almost rigid. Then suddenly she walked or stumbled to where my wife sat, and, flinging herself on her knees, hid her face in Helga"s lap; I heard her sobs break out fast and tumultuously. Helga looked up at me, the tears streaming down her cheeks. I turned and went out. Perhaps Helga could comfort her; I prayed that G.o.d in His pity might send her comfort, although she for her sin"s sake dared not ask it of Him. Poor soul! I hope there may be nothing worse scored to my account.
CHAPTER XV. A PASTIME FOR COLONEL SAPT
THE Constable of Zenda and James, Mr. Ra.s.sendyll"s servant, sat at breakfast in the hunting-lodge. They were in the small room which was ordinarily used as the bedroom of the gentleman in attendance on the king: 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 impossible, the preparations for concealing the king"s body and that of his huntsman Herbert were complete. Inquirers would be told that the king had ridden out with his huntsman at daybreak, promising to return in the evening but not stating where he was going; Sapt was under orders to await his return, and James was expecting instructions from his master the Count of Tarlenheim.
Thus armed against discovery, they looked for news from me which should determine their future action.
Meanwhile there was an interval of enforced idleness. Sapt, his meal finished, puffed away at his great pipe; James, after much pressure, had consented to light a small black clay, and sat at his ease with his legs stretched before him. His brows were knit, and a curious half-smile played about his mouth.
"What may you be thinking 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 from his mouth.
"I was thinking, sir, that since the king 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. Ra.s.sendyll, is alive--"
"So far as we know, James," Sapt reminded him.
"Why, yes, sir, so far as we know. Since, then, Mr. Ra.s.sendyll is alive and the king is dead, I was thinking that it was a great pity, sir, that my master can"t take his place and be king." James looked across at the constable with an air of a man who offers a respectful suggestion.
"A remarkable thought, James," observed the constable with a grin.
"You don"t agree with me, sir?" asked James deprecatingly.
"I don"t say that it isn"t a pity, for Rudolf makes a good king. But 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 how it would be possible."
"My master is in Strelsau, sir," began 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 may happen again, unless--"