Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/260

246 "What's going on here, my dear Chancellor? What are all these people hanging about here for? Ah, that's a royal carriage!"

"The Queen's with the Countess," answered Helsing. "The people are waiting to see her come out."

"She's always worth seeing," Anton pronounced, sticking his glass in his eye.

"And you've been to visit her?" pursued Rischenheim.

"Why, yes. I—I went to pay my respects, my dear Rischenheim."

"An early visit!"

"It was more or less on business."

"Ah, I have business also, and very important business. But it's with the King."

"I won't keep you a moment, Rischenheim," called Anton, as, bouquet in hand, he knocked at the door.

"With the King?" said Helsing. "Ah, yes, but the King"

"I'm on my way to the palace to find out where he is. If I can't see him, I must write at once. My business is very urgent."

"Indeed, my dear Count, indeed! Dear me! Urgent, you say?"

"But perhaps you can help me. Is he at Zenda?"

The Chancellor was becoming very embarrassed; Anton had disappeared into the