For we had from the first rejected any idea of bringing the king's body to Strelsau and setting it in the place of Mr.Rassendyll's.

The difficulties of such an undertaking were almost insuperable; in our hearts we did not desire to conquer them.

As a king Rudolf Rassendyll had died, as a king let him lie.

As a king he lay in his palace at Strelsau, while the news of his murder at the hands of a confederate of Rupert of Hentzau went forth to startle and appall the world.

At a mighty price our task had been made easy; many might have doubted the living, none questioned the dead; suspicions which might have gathered round a throne died away at the gate of a vault.