Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/294

276 "Rupert of Hcntzau? Oh, pooh! Nonsense, my good Simon. He daren't show his face there for his life."

"Ah, but it may be no nonsense. Perhaps that's what took the King to Strelsau."

"It's enough to take him if it's true," admitted Sapt.

"Well, good-day, sir."

"Good-day, Simon."

The two huntsmen rode off. James watched them for a little while.

"The King," he said then, "is known to be in Strelsau; and now Count Rupert is known to be in Strelsau. How is Count Rupert to have killed the King here in the forest of Zenda, sir?"

Sapt looked at him almost apprehensively.

"How is the King's body to come to the forest of Zenda?" asked James. "Or how is the King's body to go to the city of Strelsau?"

"Stop your damned riddles!" roared Sapt. "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. There they sat,