Rudolf
had caught the meaning of the great and audacious trick which
Sapt and his companion had played. It was impossible now to bring
the king's body to Strelsau; it seemed no less impossible to
declare that the man burnt in the lodge was the king. Thus Sapt
had forced Rudolf's hand; he had been inspired by the same vision
as we, and endowed with more unshrinking boldness. But when I saw
how Rudolf looked at him, I did not know but that they would go
from the queen's presence set on a deadly quarrel. Mr.
Rassendyll, however, mastered his temper.
"You're all bent on having me a rascal," he said coldly. "Fritz
and Bernenstein here urge me; you, Sapt, try to force me. James,
there, is in the plot, for all I know."
"I suggested it, sir," said James, not defiantly or with
disrespect, but as if in simple dutiful obedience to his master's
implied question.
"As I thought--all of you! Well, I won't be forced. I see now
that there's no way out of this affair, save one. That one I'll
follow."
We none of us spoke, but waited till he should be pleased to
continue.
"Of the queen's letter I need say nothing and will say nothing,"
he pursued. "But I will tell them that I'm not the king, but
Rudolf Rassendyll, and that I played the king only in order to
serve the queen and punish Rupert of Hentzau.
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