He had strained his ears to listen till his head
ached, but the talkers had been careful, and he had heard nothing
that threw light on their deliberations. He had now given up his
vain attempt, and sat in listless inattention, sunk in an apathy.
"I don't think he'll give you much trouble," whispered Sapt to
Bernenstein, with a jerk of his thumb towards the captive.
"Act as if he were likely to give you much," urged Rudolf, laying
his hand on the lieutenant's arm.
"Yes, that's a wise man's advice," nodded the constable
approvingly. "We were well governed, Lieutenant, when this Rudolf
was king."
"Wasn't I also his loyal subject?" asked young Bernenstein.
"Yes, wounded in my service," added Rudolf; for he remembered how
the boy--he was little more then--had been fired upon in the
park of Tarlenheim, being taken for Mr. Rassendyll himself.
Thus their plans were laid. If they could defeat Rupert, they
would have Rischenheim at their mercy. If they could keep
Rischenheim out of the way while they used his name in their
trick, they had a strong chance of deluding and killing Rupert.
Yes, of killing him; for that and nothing less was their purpose,
as the constable of Zenda himself has told me.
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