Page:Henryk Sienkiewicz - The New Soldier.djvu/90

86 pers the queen. "I, myself, will dress your wounds."

Serrano's hair stood on end, and he realized with maddening fear his terrible position. How could he permit the queen to — — — —? And how could he tell her?—A cool perspiration gathered on his forehead, when suddenly—

The queen vanished, a door was opened, and on the threshold stood no less man than Don Josua, Serrano's deadly foe.

"What do you want here?—Who are you?" cries Serrano.

"It's Rzepa," says Don Josua, in a low tone.

Zolzikiewicz is by this time thoroughly wakened. The Escurial Palace is once more converted into his own humble abode; the candle burns, the flies imbedded in the tallow keep on sputtering in the flame, throwing small bluish sparks into the direction of