"There he is, madam," said Sapt. "Safe enough!"
The queen did not answer. Sapt said no more, and of the rest of
us none spoke. We stood watching him as he struggled with his
great issue; a greater surely has seldom fallen to the lot of any
man born in a private station. Yet I could read little of it on
the face that the rays of white light displayed so clearly,
although they turned his healthy tints to a dull gray, and gave
unnatural sharpness to his features against the deep background
of black foliage.
I heard the queen's quick breathing, but there was scarcely
another sound. I saw her clutch her gown and pull it away a
little from her throat; save for that none in the group moved.
The lantern's light was too dim to force notice from Mr.
Rassendyll. Unconscious of our presence, he wrestled with fate
that night in the gardens.
Suddenly the faintest exclamation came from Sapt. He put his hand
back and beckoned to Bernenstein. The young man handed his
lantern to the constable, who set it close to the side of the
window-frame. The queen, absolutely engrossed in her lover, saw
nothing, but I perceived what had caught Sapt's attention. There
were scores on the paint and indentations in the wood, just at
the edge of the panel and near the lock.
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