Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/171

Rh is at the lodge for a day or two longer. Then you, Fritz—for you must ride to the Castle at once—and Bernenstein must get to Strelsau as quick as you can, and find Rudolf Rassendyll. You three ought to be able to track young Rupert down and get the letter from him. If he's not in the city, you must catch Rischenheim and force him to say where he is; we know Rischenheim can be persuaded. If Rupert's there, I need give no advice either to you or to Rudolf."

"And you?"

"James and I stay here. If any one comes whom we can keep out, the King is ill. If rumours get about, and great folk come, why, they must enter."

"But the body?"

"This morning, when you're gone, we shall make a temporary grave. I daresay two," and he jerked his thumb towards poor Herbert. "Or even," he added with his grim smile, "three—for our friend Boris, too, must be out of sight."

"You'll bury the King?"

"Not so deep but that we can take him out again, poor fellow. Well, Fritz, have you a better plan?"

I had no plan, and I was not in love with Sapt's plan. Yet it offered us four-and-twenty hours. For that time, at least, it seemed as if the secret could be kept. Beyond that we could hardly hope for success: after that we