He had the letter now, and a gleam of joy danced in his eyes as he tore it open.

A hasty glance showed him what his prize was; then, coolly and deliberately he settled himself to read, regarding neither Rischenheim's nervous hurry nor my desperate, angry glance that glared up at him.

He read leisurely, as though he had been in an armchair in his own house; the lips smiled and curled as he read the last words that the queen had written to her lover.

He had indeed come on more than he thought.
Rischenheim laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Quick, Rupert, quick," he urged again, in a voice full of agitation.
"Let me alone, man.

I haven't read anything so amusing for a long while," answered Rupert.