Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/32

26 I could feel them both with my hand. I was not in uniform, but I took my revolver. Although I had no reason to anticipate any difficulties, I did not forget that what I carried must be protected at all hazards and all costs.

The weary night journey wore itself away. Bauer came to me in the morning, performed his small services, re-packed my handbag, procured me some coffee, and left me. It was then about eight o'clock; we had arrived at a station of some importance and were not to stop again until mid-day. I saw Bauer enter the second-class compartment in which he was travelling, and settled down in my own. I think it was at this moment that the thought of Rischenheim came again into my head, and I found myself wondering why he clung to the hopeless idea of compassing Rupert's return, and what business had taken him from Strelsau. But I made little of the matter, and, drowsy from a broken night's rest, soon fell into a doze. I was alone in the carriage and could sleep without fear or danger. I was awakened by our noontide halt. Here I saw Bauer again. After taking a basin of soup I went to the telegraph-bureau to send a message to my wife: the receipt of it would not merely set her mind at ease, but would also ensure word of my safe progress reaching the Queen. As I entered the bureau I met