He had dined and was about to go to bed, it being nearly ten o'clock.
"It will keep, sire," answered Sapt, who did not know but that it might be from Wintenberg.
"Read it," insisted the king testily.

"It may be from Rischenheim.
Perhaps he can get here sooner.

I should like to know about those dogs.
Read it, I beg." Sapt could do nothing but read it.

He had taken to spectacles lately, and he spent a long while adjusting them and thinking what he should do if the message were not fit for the king's ear.

"Be quick, man, be quick!" urged the irritable king.
Sapt had got the envelope open at last, and relief, mingled with perplexity, showed in his face.
"Your Majesty guessed wonderfully well.