the open road
towards Tarlenheim, he said, 'Are we going to walk all the way? I was
not loath to go quicker, and we broke into a trot. But I--ah, what a
pestilent fool I am!"

"Never mind that--go on."

"Why, I was thinking of him and my task, and having a bullet ready for
him, and--"

"Of everything except your horse?" guessed Sapt, with a grim smile.

"Yes; and the horse pecked and stumbled, and I fell forward on his neck.
I put out my arm to recover myself, and--I jerked my revolver on to the
ground."

"And he saw?"

"He saw, curse him. For a second he waited; then he smiled, and turned,
and dug his spurs in and was off, straight across country towards
Strelsau. Well, I was off my horse in a moment, and I fired three times
after him."

"You hit?" asked Rudolf.

"I think so. He shifted the reins from one hand to the other and wrung
his arm. I mounted and made after him, but his horse was better than
mine and he gained ground. We began to meet people, too, and I didn't
dare to fire again. So I left him and rode here to tell you. Never
employ me again, Constable, so long as you live," and the young man's
face was twisted with misery and shame, as, forgetting the queen's
presence, he sank despondently into a chair.

Sapt took no notice of his self-reproaches. But Rudolf went and laid a
hand on his shoulder.

"It was an accident," he said. "No blame to you."

The queen rose and walked towards him; Bernenstein sprang to his feet.

"Sir," said she, "it is not success but effort that should gain thanks,"
and she held out her hand.

Well, he was young; I do not laugh at the sob that escaped his lips as
he turned his head.

"Let me try something else!" he implored.

"Mr. Rassendyll," said the queen, "you'll do my pleasure by employing
this gentleman in my further service. I am already deep in his debt, and
would be deeper." There was a moment's silence.

"Well, but what's to be done?" asked Colonel Sapt. "He's gone to
Strelsau."

"He'll stop Rupert," mused Mr. Rassendyll. "He may or he mayn't."

"It's odds that he will."

"We must provide for both."

Sapt and Rudolf looked at one another.

"You must be here!" asked Rudolf of the constable. "Well, I'll go to
Strelsau." His smile broke out. "That is, if Bernenstein'll lend me a
hat."

The queen made no sound; but she came and laid her hand on his arm. He
looked at her, smiling still.

"Yes, I'll go to Strelsau," said he, "and I'll find Rupert, ay