Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/145

Rh Duke of Strelsau left the city (so far as it appears, suddenly), accompanied by several of his household. His destination is believed to be the castle of Zenda, but the party traveled by road and not by train. MM. De Gautet, Bersonin, and Detchard followed an hour later, the last named carrying his arm in a sling. The cause of his wound is not known, but it is suspected that he has fought a duel, probably incidental to a love affair.'"

"That is remotely true," I observed, very well pleased to find that I had left my mark on the fellow.

"Then we come to this," pursued Sapt. "Mme. de Mauban, whose movements have been watched according to instructions, left by train at midday. She took a ticket for Dresden——"

"It's an old habit of hers," said I.

"'The Dresden trains stop at Zenda.' An acute fellow, this. And finally listen to this: 'The state of feeling in the city is not satisfactory. The king is much criticised' (you know he's told to be quite frank) 'for taking no steps about his marriage. From inquiries among the entourage of the Princess