All this time we had
asked no questions of the surgeon, and he had given no
information. We knew too well to ask: we had all seen men die
before now, and the look on the face was familiar to us. Two or
three more doctors, the most eminent in Strelsau, came now,
having been hastily summoned. It was their right to be called;
but, for all the good they were, they might have been left to
sleep the night out in their beds. They drew together in a little
group at the end of the room and talked for a few minutes in low
tones. James lifted his master's head and gave him a drink of
water. Rudolf swallowed it with difficulty. Then I saw him feebly
press James's hand, for the little man's face was full of sorrow.
As his master smiled the servant mustered a smile in answer. I
crossed over to the doctors. "Well, gentlemen?" I asked.
They looked at one another, then the greatest of them said
gravely:
"The king may live an hour, Count Fritz. Should you not send for
a priest?"
I went straight back to Rudolf Rassendyll. His eyes greeted me
and questioned me. He was a man, and I played no silly tricks
with him. I bent down and said: "An hour, they think, Rudolf."
He made one restless movement, whether of pain or protest I do
not know.
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