Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/361

Rh There was a sudden fresh shouting from the large crowd that still lingered outside the palace. I ran to the window and saw a commotion in the midst of them. I flung the sash up. Then I heard a well-known loud strident voice:

"Make way, you rascals, make way!"

I turned round again, full of excitement.

"It's Sapt himself!" I said. "He's riding like mad through the crowd, and your servant's just behind him."

"My God, what's happened? Why have they left the lodge?" cried Bernenstein.

The Queen looked up in startled alarm, and, rising to her feet, came and passed her arm through Rudolf’s. Thus we all stood, listening to the people good-naturedly cheering Sapt, whom they had recognised, and bantering James, whom they took for a servant of the Constable's.

The minutes seemed very long as we waited in utter perplexity, almost in consternation. The same thought was in the mind of all of us, silently imparted by one to another in the glances we exchanged. What could have brought them from their guard of the great secret save its discovery? They would never have left their post while the fulfilment of their trust was possible. By some mishap, some unforeseen chance, the King's body must have been discovered. Then the King's death was known, and the