"The baron what, my dear countess?" he inquired.
"He won't ask," said she with a shrug. "Do tell me what brings
you here, and what has happened."
He told her very briefly all he knew. She hid bravely her alarm
at hearing that I might perhaps meet Rupert at the lodge, and at
once listened to what Rudolf wanted of her.
"Can I get out of the house, and, if need be, back again
unnoticed?" he asked.
"The door is locked at night, and only Fritz and the butler have
keys."
Mr. Rassendyll's eye traveled to the window of the room.
"I haven't grown so fat that I can't get through there," said he.
"So we'd better not trouble the butler. He'd talk, you know."
"I will sit here all night and keep everybody from the room."
"I may come back pursued if I bungle my work and an alarm is
raised."
"Your work?" she asked, shrinking back a little.
"Yes," said he. "Don't ask what it is, Countess. It is in the
queen's service."
"For the queen I will do anything and everything, as Fritz
would."
He took her hand and pressed it in a friendly, encouraging way.
"Then I may issue my orders?" he asked, smiling.
"They shall be obeyed."
"Then a dry cloak, a little supper, and this room to myself,
except for you.
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