Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/63

 more than a baker's wife. It would have cost no more to make her a countess, and the doctor would have looked with more respect on me. However Rudolf had said that the baker broke my head with his rolling-pin, and thus the story rests in the doctor's mind to this day.

"Well, I'm off," said Rudolf.

"But where?"

"Why, to that same little station where two good friends parted from me once before. Fritz, where’s Rupert gone?"

"I wish we knew!"

"I lay he won't be far off."

"Are you armed?"

"The six-shooter. Well, yes, since you press me, a knife too; but only if he uses one. You'll let Sapt know when you come?"

"Yes; and I come the moment I can stand."

"As if you need tell me that, old fellow!"

"Where do you go from the station?'*

"To Zenda, through the forest," he answered, " I shall reach the station about nine to-morrow night, Thursday. Unless Rischenheim has got the audience sooner than was arranged, I shall be in time."

"How will you get hold of Sapt?"

"We must leave something to the minute."

"God bless you, Rudolf!"

"The King shan't have the letter, Fritz."

There was a moment's silence as we