d. Dismissed
from her presence, I flew open-mouthed to Sapt. I found him in his room
with Bernenstein, and had the satisfaction of learning that my news of
Rupert's whereabouts was confirmed by his information. I was also made
acquainted with all that had been done, even as I have already related
it, from the first successful trick played on Rischenheim to the moment
of his unfortunate escape. But my face grew long and apprehensive when I
heard that Rudolf Rassendyll had gone alone to Strelsau to put his head
in that lion's mouth in the Konigstrasse.

"There will be three of them there--Rupert, Rischenheim, and my rascal
Bauer," said I.

"As to Rupert, we don't know," Sapt reminded me. "He'll be there if
Rischenheim arrives in time to tell him the truth. But we have also to
be ready for him here, and at the hunting lodge. Well, we're ready for
him wherever he is: Rudolf will be in Strelsau, you and I will ride to
the lodge, and Bernenstein will be here with the queen."

"Only one here?" I asked.

"Ay, but a good one," said the constable, clapping Bernenstein on the
shoulder. "We sha'n't be gone above four hours, and those while the king
is safe in his bed. Bernenstein has only to refuse access to him, and
stand to that with his life till we come back. You're equal to that, eh,
Lieutenant?"

I am, by nature, a cautious man, and prone to look at the dark side of
every prospect and the risks of every enterprise; but I could not
see what better dispositions were possible against the attack that
threatened us. Yet I was sorely uneasy concerning Mr. Rassendyll.

Now, after all our stir and runnings to and fro, came an hour or two of
peace. We employed the time in having a good meal, and it was past five
when, our repast finished, we sat back in our chairs enjoying cigars.
James had waited on us, quietly usurping the office of the constable's
own servant, and thus we had been able to talk freely. The man's calm
confidence in his master and his master's fortune also went far to
comfort me.

"The king should be back soon," said Sapt at last, with a glance at his
big, old-fashioned silver watch. "Thank God, he'll be too tired to sit
up long. We shall be free by nine o'clock, Fritz. I wish young Rupert
would come to the lodge!" And the colonel's face expressed a lively
pleasure at the idea.

Six o'clock struck, and the king did not appear. A few moments later, a
message came from the queen, requesting our presence on the