Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/237

Rh his lip; and laughed "fit to burst" (said Johann) because the duke always set Detchard to guard the king when Mme. de Mauban was in the cell—which precaution was, indeed, not unwise in my careful brother. Thus Johann told his tale and seized his crowns. Yet he besought us to allow him to stay with us in Tarlenheim, and not venture his head again in the lion's den; but we had need of him there, and although I refused to constrain him, I prevailed on him by increased rewards to go back &nd to carry tidings to Mme. de Mauban that I was working for her, and that, if she could, she should speak one word of comfort to the king. For while suspense is bad for the sick, yet despair is worse still, and it might be that the king lay dying of mere hopelessness, for I could learn of no definite disease that afflicted him.

"And how do they guard the king now?" I asked, remembering that two of the Six were dead, and Max Holf also.

"Detchard and Bersonin watch by night—Rupert Hentzau and Gautet by day, sir," he answered-

"Only two at a time?"