Sapt, with a most perfunctory bow to the queen, came straight to where Rudolf stood.
"Is he dead ?" he asked, without preface.
"Yes, Rupert is dead," answered Mr.Rassendyll: "I killed him." "And the letter ?" "I burnt it." "And Rischenheim ?" The queen struck in.
"The Count of Luzau-Rischenheim will say and do nothing against me," she said.
Sapt lifted his brows a little.

"Well, and Bauer ?" he asked.
"Bauer's at large," I answered.
"Hum! Well, it's only Bauer," said the constable, seeming tolerably well pleased.

Then his eyes fell on Rudolf and Bernenstein.

He stretched out his hand and pointed to their riding-boots.

"Whither away so late at night ?" he asked.
"First together to the lodge, to find you, then I alone to the frontier," said Mr.Rassendyll.
"One thing at a time.