ble, but I want to see Herbert. Can I go in?" And he
jumped down from his horse, throwing the reins to his companion.

"What's the good of your going in?" asked Sapt. "Herbert's not here."

"Not here? Then where is he?"

"Why, he went with the king this morning."

"Oh, he went with the king, sir? Then he's in Strelsau, I suppose?"

"If you know that, Simon, you're wiser than I am."

"But the king is in Strelsau, sir."

"The deuce he is! He said nothing of going to Strelsau. He rose early
and rode off with Herbert, merely saying they would be back to-night."

"He went to Strelsau, sir. I am just from Zenda, and his Majesty is
known to have been in town with the queen. They were both at Count
Fritz's."

"I'm much interested to hear it. But didn't the telegram say where
Herbert was?"

Simon laughed.

"Herbert's not a king, you see," he said. "Well, I'll come again
to-morrow morning, for I must see him soon. He'll be back by then, sir?"

"Yes, Simon, your brother will be here to-morrow morning."

"Or what's left of him after such a two-days of work," suggested Simon
jocularly.

"Why, yes, precisely," said Sapt, biting his moustache and darting one
swift glance at James. "Or what's left of him, as you say."

"And I'll bring a cart and carry the boar down to the castle at the same
time, sir. At least, I suppose you haven't eaten it all?"

Sapt laughed; Simon was gratified at the tribute, and laughed even more
heartily himself.

"We haven't even cooked it yet," said Sapt, "but I won't answer for it
that we sha'n't have by to-morrow."

"All right, sir; I'll be here. By the way, there's another bit of news
come on the wires. They say Count Rupert of Hentzau has been seen in the
city."

"Rupert of Hentzau? Oh, pooh! Nonsense, my good Simon. He daren't show
his face there for his life."

"Ah, but it may be no nonsense. Perhaps that's what took the king to
Strelsau."

"It's enough to take him if it's true," admitted Sapt.

"Well, good day, sir."

"Good day, Simon."

The two huntsmen rode off. James watched them for a little while.

"The king," he said then, "is known to be in Strelsau; and now Count
Rupert is known to be in Strelsau. How is Count Rupert to have killed
the king here in the forest of Zenda, sir?"

Sapt looked at him almost apprehensively.

"How is the king's body to come to the forest of Zenda?" asked James.
"Or how is the king's body to go to the city of Strelsau?"

"Stop your da