But
caution whispered that he was not irrevocably committed, that
nothing overt yet connected him with Rupert's schemes, and that
we who knew the truth should be well content to purchase his
silence as to the trick we had played by granting him immunity.
His fears won the day, and, like the irresolute man he was, he
determined to wait in Strelsau till he heard the issue of the
meeting at the lodge. If Rupert were disposed of there, he had
something to offer us in return for peace; if his cousin escaped,
he would be in the Konigstrasse, prepared to second the further
plans of the desperate adventurer. In any event his skin was
safe, and I presume to think that this weighed a little with him;
for excuse he had the wound which Bernenstein had given him, and
which rendered his right arm entirely useless; had he gone then,
he would have been a most inefficient ally.
Of all this we, as we rode through the forest, knew nothing. We
might guess, conjecture, hope, or fear; but our certain knowledge
stopped with Rischenheim's start for the capital and Rupert's
presence there at three o'clock. The pair might have met or might
have missed. We had to act as though they had missed and Rupert
were gone to meet the king.
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