Wrapping his scarf closely round his face, Rudolf waited,
patiently enduring the tedium as he best might, drenched by the
rain, which fell steadily, and very imperfectly sheltered from
the buffeting of the wind. Minutes went by; there were no signs
of Bauer nor of anybody else in the silent street. Yet Rudolf did
not venture to leave his post; Bauer would seize the opportunity
to slip in; perhaps Bauer had seen him come out, and was in his
turn waiting till the coast should be clear; or, again, perhaps
the useful spy had gone off to intercept Rupert of Hentzau, and
warn him of the danger in the Konigstrasse. Ignorant of the
truth and compelled to accept all these chances, Rudolf waited,
still watching the distant beginnings of dawning day, which must
soon drive him to his hiding-place again. Meanwhile my poor wife
waited also, a prey to every fear that a woman's sensitive mind
can imagine and feed upon.
Rudolf turned his head this way and that, seeking always the
darker blot of shadow that would mean a human being. For a while
his search was vain, but presently he found what he looked
for--ay, and even more. On the same side of the street, to his
left hand, from the direction of the station, not one, but three
blurred shapes moved up the street.
Pages:
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201