Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/353

3 in the attic of the old house, dwelling on it as lightly as he could. The Queen stood by his chair—she would not let him rise; when he finished by telling how he burnt her letter, she stooped suddenly and kissed him on the brow. Then she looked straight across at Helga almost defiantly; but Helga ran to her and caught her in her arms.

Rudolf Rassendyll sat with his head resting on his hand. He looked up once at the two women; then he caught my eye, and beckoned me to come to him. I approached him, but for several moments he did not speak. Again he motioned to me, and, resting my hand on the arm of his chair, I bent my head close down to his. He glanced again at the Queen, seemed afraid that she would hear what he wished to say.

"Fritz," he whispered at last, "as soon as it's fairly dark I must get away. Bernenstein will come with me. You must stay here."

"Where can you go?"

"To the lodge. I must meet Sapt and arrange matters with him."

I did not understand what plan he had in his head, or what scheme he could contrive. But at the moment my mind was not directed to such matters; it was set on the sight before my eyes.

"And the Queen?" I whispered in answer to him.