Then he sprinkled the morsels of
paper into the blaze of the fire. I believe that every eye in the
room followed them and watched till they curled and crinkled into
black, wafery ashes. Thus, at last the queen's letter was safe.
When he had thus set the seal on his task he turned round to us
again. He paid no heed to Rischenheim, who was crouching down by
the body of Rupert; but he looked at Bernenstein and me, and then
at the people behind us. He waited a moment before he spoke; then
his utterance was not only calm but also very slow, so that he
seemed to be choosing his words carefully.
"Gentlemen," said he, "a full account of this matter will be
rendered by myself in due time. For the present it must suffice
to say that this gentleman who lies here dead sought an interview
with me on private business. I came here to find him, desiring,
as he professed, to desire, privacy. And here he tried to kill
me. The result of his attempt you see."
I bowed low, Bernenstein did the like, and all the rest followed
our example.
"A full account shall be given," said Rudolf. "Now let all leave
me, except the Count of Tarlenheim and Lieutenant von
Bernenstein."
Most unwillingly, with gaping mouths and wonder-struck eyes, the
throng filed out of the door.
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