On came
Bauer, softly, whistling and slushing his feet carelessly through
the liquid mud. Now he was nearly opposite where Mr. Rassendyll
stood. Rudolf was well-nigh convinced that the man had been on
his track: he would make certainty surer. The bold game was
always his choice and his delight; this trait he shared with
Rupert of Hentzau, and hence arose, I think, the strange secret
inclination he had for his unscrupulous opponent. Now he walked
suddenly across to Bauer, and spoke to him in his natural voice,
at the same time removing the scarf partly, but not altogether,
from his face.
"You're out late, my friend, for a night like this."
Bauer, startled though he was by the unexpected challenge, had
his wits about him. Whether he identified Rudolf at once, I do
not know; I think that he must at least have suspected the truth.
"A lad that has no home to go to must needs be out both late and
early, sir," said he, arresting his shuffling steps, and looking
up with that honest stolid air which had made a fool of me.
I had described him very minutely to Mr. Rassendyll; if Bauer
knew or guessed who his challenger was, Mr. Rassendyll was as
well equipped for the encounter.
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