fly?"

"You've been waiting to see them lowered?"

"A man likes to have some notice taken of what he has done," Rupert
complained. "However, I can get them lowered when I will."

"By telling your news? Would that be good for yourself?"

"Forgive me--not that way. Since the king has two lives, it is but in
nature that he should have two deaths."

"And when he has undergone the second?"

"I shall live at peace, my friend, on a certain source of income that I
possess." He tapped his breast-pocket with a slight, defiant laugh. "In
these days," said he, "even queens must be careful about their letters.
We live in moral times."

"You don't share the responsibility for it," said Rudolf, smiling.

"I make my little protest. But what's your business, play-actor? For I
think you're rather tiresome."

Rudolf grew grave. He advanced towards the table, and spoke in low,
serious tones.

"My lord, you're alone in this matter now. Rischenheim is a prisoner;
your rogue Bauer I encountered last night and broke his head."

"Ah, you did?"

"You have what you know of in your hands. If you yield, on my honor I
will save your life."

"You don't desire my blood, then, most forgiving play-actor?"

"So much, that I daren't fail to offer you life," answered Rudolf
Rassendyll. "Come, sir, your plan has failed: give up the letter."

Rupert looked at him thoughtfully.

"You'll see me safe off if I give it you?" he asked.

"I'll prevent your death. Yes, and I'll see you safe."

"Where to?"

"To a fortress, where a trustworthy gentleman will guard you."

"For how long, my dear friend?"

"I hope for many years, my dear Count."

"In fact, I suppose, as long as--?"

"Heaven leaves you to the world, Count. It's impossible to set you
free."

"That's the offer, then?"

"The extreme limit of indulgence," answered Rudolf. Rupert burst into
a laugh, half of defiance, yet touched with the ring of true amusement.
Then he lit a cigarette and sat puffing and smiling.

"I should wrong you by straining your kindness so far," said he; and in
wanton insolence, seeking again to show Mr. Rassendyll the mean esteem
in which he held him, and the weariness his presence was, he raised his
arms and stretched them above his head, as a man does in the fatigue of
tedium. "Heigho!" he yawned.

But he had overshot the mark this time. With a sudden swift bound Rudolf
was upon him; his hands gripped Rupert's wrists, and with his greater
strength