He's our game, isn't he,
Sapt?"
The colonel nodded. Rudolf in his turn took paper, and here is
the message that he wrote:
"Holf, 19, Konigstrasse, Strelsau.--All well. He has what I had,
but wishes to see what you have. He and I will be at the
hunting-lodge at ten this evening. Bring it and meet us. The
business is unsuspected.--R."
Rudolf threw the paper across to Sapt; Bernenstein leant over the
constable's shoulder and read it eagerly.
"I doubt if it would bring me," grinned old Sapt, throwing the
paper down.
"It'll bring Rupert to Hentzau. Why not? He'll know that the king
will wish to meet him unknown to the queen, and also unknown to
you, Sapt, since you were my friend: what place more likely for
the king to choose than his hunting-lodge, where he is accustomed
to go when he wishes to be alone? The message will bring him,
depend on it. Why, man, Rupert would come even if he suspected;
and why should he suspect?"
"They may have a cipher, he and Rischenheim," objected Sapt.
"No, or Rupert would have sent the address in it," retorted
Rudolf quickly.
"Then--when he comes?" asked Bernenstein.
"He finds such a king as Rischenheim found, and Sapt, here, at
his elbow.
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