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I told him what I knew of the lady, and how I knew it. He nodded. "It's so far true that she's had a great row with Michael," said he, thoughtfully. "If she would, she could be useful," I said. "I believe, though, that Michael wrote that letter." "So do I, but I mean to know for certain. I shall go, Sapt." "No, I shall go," said he. "You may go as far as the gate."
So Rupert went unpunished except by banishment and the impounding of his rents. Yet Sapt was in the right about him. Helpless as he seemed, he did not for an instant abandon the contest. He lived in the faith that his chance would come, and from day to day was ready for its coming. He schemed against us as we schemed to protect ourselves from him; if we watched him, he kept his eye on us.
His servants loved him, sir." "Friend Bauer, for example?" "Yes, Bauer loved him. Where is Bauer?" "I hope he's gone to hell with his loved master," grunted Sapt, but he had the grace to lower his voice and shield his mouth with his hand, so that Rischenheim did not hear. "We don't know where he is," I answered.
"Man, are you bent on driving me into it?" The servant came near to him, and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You went into as great a thing once before, sir," said he. "It was to save the king." "And this is to save the queen and yourself. For if we don't do it, the truth about my master must be known." Sapt made him no answer. They sat down again in silence.
"Your joke goes too far, sir!" I cried. "Tut, man, we've no time for quarrelling. Nothing else would rouse you. It's five o'clock." "I'll thank you, Colonel Sapt " I began again, hot in spirit, though I was uncommonly cold in body. "Rassendyll," interrupted Fritz, getting down from the table and taking my arm, "look here." The King lay full length on the floor.
"Pretty well for these days, your Majesty," grunted Sapt, as he reached the level of the bridge. Having crossed, they entered the chateau. The passage was empty, save for Bernenstein, whose broad back barred the way from the royal apartments. "In here," whispered Sapt, laying his hand on the door of the room whence he had come. "All right," answered Rudolf.
Again James paused for a little while before he remarked: "I am, of course, sir, only discussing the matter by way of passing the time. It would probably be wrong to carry any such plan into effect." "It might be, but let us discuss it to pass the time," said Sapt; and he leant forward, looking into the servant's quiet, shrewd face.
Sapt had a whistle, and they could rejoin us in a few moments if danger came: but, up to now, we had met no one. I hoped that Michael was still off his guard, believing me to be safe in bed. However that might be, we gained the top of the hill without accident, and found ourselves on the edge of the moat where it sweeps under the road, separating the Old Castle from it.
The great pipe that Rupert of Hentzau had nicknamed "Jacob's Ladder" was gone, and the lights in the room across the moat twinkled in the darkness. All was still; the din and clash of strife were gone. I had spent the day hidden in the forest, from the time when Fritz had led me off, leaving Sapt with the princess.
"Your love, madame," said old Sapt, "but not the King. The King is there in the Castle. This gentleman " "Look at me, Rudolf! look at me!" she cried, taking my face between her hands. "Why do you let them torment me? Tell me what it means!" Then I spoke, gazing into her eyes. "God forgive me, madame!" I said. "I am not the King!" I felt her hands clutch my cheeks.
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