I have said that the king was no coward, yet I
think, that the sight of Rupert, bringing back the memory of his
torments in the dungeon, half cowed him; for he shrank back
crying, "You!" The hound, in subtle understanding of his master's
movement, growled angrily.
"You expected me, sire?" said Rupert with a bow; but he smiled. I
know that the sight of the king's alarm pleased him. To inspire
terror was his delight, and it does not come to every man to
strike fear into the heart of a king and an Elphberg. It had come
more than once to Rupert of Hentzau.
"No," muttered the king. Then, recovering his composure a little,
he said angrily, "How dare you come here?"
"You didn't expect me?" cried Rupert, and in an instant the
thought of a trap seemed to flash across his alert mind. He drew
the revolver halfway from his belt, probably in a scarcely
conscious movement, born of the desire to assure himself of its
presence. With a cry of alarm Herbert flung himself before the
king, who sank back on the bed. Rupert, puzzled, vexed, yet
half-amused (for he smiled still, the man said), took a step
forward, crying out something about Rischenheim--what, Herbert
could not tell us.
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