Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/218

204 asked Rudolf in a mocking tone. "First you hunt me, then you salute me. By heaven, I don't know why you put yourself out at all about me!"

"I—I" the fellow stuttered. Then trying a fresh start, he stammered, "Your Majesty, I didn't know—I didn't suppose" Rudolf stepped towards him with a quick decisive tread.

"And why do you call me 'Your Majesty'?"

"It—it—Isn't it Your Majesty?"

Rudolf was close by him now, his hand on the horse's neck. He looked up in the sergeant's face with steady eyes, saying:

"You make a mistake, my friend. I am not the King."

"You are not" stuttered the bewildered fellow.

"By no means. And, sergeant?"

"Your Majesty?"

"Sir, you mean."

"Yes, sir."

"A zealous officer, sergeant, can make no greater mistake than to take for the King a gentleman who is not the King. It might injure his prospects, since the King, not being here, mightn't wish to have it supposed that he was here. Do you follow me, sergeant?"

The man said nothing, but stared hard.

After a moment Rudolf continued; "In such a case," said he, "a discreet