The
queen's quick breathing had ceased, she seemed like a statue; but
Rischenheim moved impatiently, as though he could no longer
endure the waiting.
Sapt's voice came harsh and grating.
"Well?" he cried. "Which is it to be--backward or forward?"
Rudolf pressed his hands and looked into his eyes. The answer
asked but a word from him. The queen caught my arm; her rigid
limbs seemed to give way, and she would have fallen if I had not
supported her. At the same instant a man sprang out of the dark
line of tall trees, directly behind Mr. Rassendyll. Bernenstein
uttered a loud startled cry and rushed forward, pushing the queen
herself violently out of his path. His hand flew to his side, and
he ripped the heavy cavalry sword that belonged to his uniform of
the Cuirassiers of the Guard from its sheath. I saw it flash in
the moonlight, but its flash was quenched in a brighter short
blaze. A shot rang out through the quiet gardens. Mr. Rassendyll
did not loose his hold of Sapt's hands, but he sank slowly on to
his knees. Sapt seemed paralyzed.
Again Bernenstein cried out. It was a name this time. "Bauer! By
God, Bauer!" he cried.
In an instant he was across the path and by the trees.
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