Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/269

Rh of the mistake; all of them had heard that the King was in Strelsau—aye, and had seen him.

"Where is he? Where is he?" I asked, and followed her hastily to the room.

The Queen and Rudolf were standing side by side. What I have told from Helga's description had just passed between them. Rudolf ran to meet me.

"Is all well?" he asked eagerly.

I forgot the Queen's presence and paid no sign of respect to her. I caught Rudolf by the arm and cried to him:

"Do they take you for the King?"

"Yes," he said. "Heavens, man, don't look so white! We shall manage it. I can be gone by to-night."

"Gone? How will that help, since they believe you to be the King?"

"You can keep it from the King," he urged. "I couldn't help it. I can settle with Rupert and disappear."

The three were standing round me, surprised at my great and terrible agitation. Looking back now, I wonder that I could speak to them at all.

Rudolf tried again to reassure me. He little knew the cause of what he saw.

"It won't take long to settle affairs with Rupert," said he. "And we must have the letter, or it will get to the King after all."