There were rumors that the king was ill; that the queen was angry at being carried off to Zenda; that the archbishop meant to preach against low dresses; that the chancellor was to be dismissed; that his daughter was to be married; and so forth.
I heard without listening.

But the last bit of his budget caught my wandering attention.
"They were betting at the club," said Anton, "that Rupert of Hentzau would be recalled.

Have you heard anything about it, Fritz ?" If I had known anything, it is needless to say that I should not have confided it to Anton.

But the suggested step was so utterly at variance with the king's intentions that I made no difficulty about contradicting the report with an authoritative air.

Anton heard me with a judicial wrinkle on his smooth brow.
"That's all very well," said he, "and I dare say you're bound to say so.
All I know is that Rischenheim dropped a hint to Colonel Markel a day or two ago." "Rischenheim believes what he hopes," said I.
"And where's he gone ?" cried Anton, exultantly.