"
"Ah, but what?" asked the constable.
Suddenly breaking on their ears came a loud knock at the door.
Absorbed in their own thoughts, they had not noticed two men
riding up to the lodge. The visitors wore the green and gold of
the king's huntsmen; the one who had knocked was Simon, the chief
huntsman, and brother of Herbert, who lay dead in the little room
inside.
"Rather dangerous!" muttered the Constable of Zenda as he hurried
to the door, James following him.
Simon was astonished when Sapt opened the door.
"Beg pardon, Constable, but I want to see Herbert. Can I go in?"
And he jumped down from his horse, throwing the reins to his
companion.
"What's the good of your going in?" asked Sapt. "Herbert's not
here."
"Not here? Then where is he?"
"Why, he went with the king this morning."
"Oh, he went with the king, sir? Then he's in Strelsau, I
suppose?"
"If you know that, Simon, you're wiser than I am."
"But the king is in Strelsau, sir."
"The deuce he is! He said nothing of going to Strelsau. He rose
early and rode off with Herbert, merely saying they would be back
to-night."
"He went to Strelsau, sir. I am just from Zenda, and his Majesty
is known to have been in town with the queen.
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