"Sapt!" said a voice, low but distinct.
The old colonel started, and, resting both hands on the sill, bent further out, till he seemed in danger of overbalancing.
"Quick--to the ledge on the other side. You know," said the voice, and the head turned; with quick, quiet strokes the man crossed the moat till he was hidden in the triangle of deep shade formed by the meeting of the drawbridge and the old castle wall. Sapt watched him go, almost stupefied by the sudden wonder of hearing that voice come to him out of the stillness of the night. For the king was abed; and who spoke in that voice save the king and one other?
Then, with a curse at himself for his delay, he turned and walked quickly across the room. Opening the door, he found himself in the pa.s.sage. But here he ran right into the arms of young Bernenstein, the officer of the guard, who was going his rounds. Sapt knew and trusted him, for he had been with us all through the siege of Zenda, when Michael kept the king a prisoner, and he bore marks given him by Rupert of Hentzau"s ruffians. He now held a commission as lieutenant in the cuira.s.siers of the King"s Guard.
He noticed Sapt"s bearing, for he cried out in a low voice, "Anything wrong, sir?"
"Bernenstein, my boy, the castle"s all right about here. Go round to the front, and, hang you, stay there," said Sapt.
The officer stared, as well he might. Sapt caught him by the arm.
"No, stay here. See, stand by the door there that leads to the royal apartments. Stand there, and let n.o.body pa.s.s. You understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"And whatever you hear, don"t look round."
Bernenstein"s bewilderment grew greater; but Sapt was constable, and on Sapt"s shoulders lay the responsibility for the safety of Zenda and all in it.
"Very well, sir," he said, with a submissive shrug, and he drew his sword and stood by the door; he could obey, although he could not understand.
Sapt ran on. Opening the gate that led to the bridge, he sped across.
Then, stepping on one side and turning his face to the wall, he descended the steps that gave foothold down to the ledge running six or eight inches above the water. He also was now in the triangle of deep darkness, yet he knew that a man was there, who stood straight and tall, rising above his own height. And he felt his hand caught in a sudden grip. Rudolf Ra.s.sendyll was there, in his wet drawers and socks.
"Is it you?" he whispered.
"Yes," answered Rudolf; "I swam round from the other side and got here.
Then I threw in a bit of mortar, but I wasn"t sure I"d roused you, and I didn"t dare shout, so I followed it myself. Lay hold of me a minute while I get on my breeches: I didn"t want to get wet, so I carried my clothes in a bundle. Hold me tight, it"s slippery."
"In G.o.d"s name what brings you here?" whispered Sapt, catching Rudolf by the arm as he was directed.
"The queen"s service. When does Rischenheim come?"
"To-morrow at eight."
"The deuce! That"s earlier than I thought. And the king?"
"Is here and determined to see him. It"s impossible to move him from it."
There was a moment"s silence; Rudolf drew his shirt over his head and tucked it into his trousers. "Give me the jacket and waistcoat," he said. "I feel deuced damp underneath, though."
"You"ll soon get dry," grinned Sapt. "You"ll be kept moving, you see."
"I"ve lost my hat."
"Seems to me you"ve lost your head too."
"You"ll find me both, eh, Sapt?"
"As good as your own, anyhow," growled the constable.
"Now the boots, and I"m ready." Then he asked quickly, "Has the king seen or heard from Rischenheim?"
"Neither, except through me."
"Then why is he so set on seeing him?"
"To find out what gives dogs smooth coats."
"You"re serious? Hang you, I can"t see your face."
"Absolutely."
"All"s well, then. Has he got a beard now?"
"Yes."
"Confound him! Can"t you take me anywhere to talk?"
"What the deuce are you here at all for?"
"To meet Rischenheim."
"To meet--?"
"Yes. Sapt, he"s got a copy of the queen"s letter."
Sapt twirled his moustache.
"I"ve always said as much," he remarked in tones of satisfaction. He need not have said it; he would have been more than human not to think it.
"Where can you take me to?" asked Rudolf impatiently.
"Any room with a door and a lock to it," answered old Sapt. "I command here, and when I say "Stay out"--well, they don"t come in."
"Not the king?"
"The king is in bed. Come along," and the constable set his toe on the lowest step.
"Is there n.o.body about?" asked Rudolf, catching his arm.
"Bernenstein; but he will keep his back toward us."
"Your discipline is still good, then, Colonel?"
"Pretty well for these days, your Majesty," grunted Sapt, as he reached the level of the bridge.