"
"Yes, sir."
"A zealous officer, sergeant, can make no greater mistake than to
take for the king a gentleman who is not the king. It might
injure his prospects, since the king, not being here, mightn't
wish to have it supposed that he was here. Do you follow me,
sergeant?"
The man said nothing, but stared hard. After a moment Rudolf
continued:
"In such a case," said he, "a discreet officer would not trouble
the gentleman any more, and would be very careful not to mention
that he had made such a silly mistake. Indeed, if questioned, he
would answer without hesitation that he hadn't seen anybody even
like the king, much less the king himself."
A doubtful, puzzled little smile spread under the sergeant's
moustache.
"You see, the king is not even in Strelsau," said Rudolf.
"Not in Strelsau, sir?"
"Why, no, he's at Zenda."
"Ah! At Zenda, sir?"
"Certainly. It is therefore impossible--physically
impossible--that he should be here."
The fellow was convinced that he understood now.
"It's certainly impossible, sir," said he, smiling more broadly.
"Absolutely. And therefore impossible also that you should have
seen him." With this Rudolf took a gold piece from his pocket and
handed it to the sergeant.
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