The King held out his hand and shook mine.

Fritz and the doctor withdrew to the window.
I took the King's ring from my finger and placed it on his.
"I have tried not to dishonour it, sire," said I.
"I can't talk much to you," he said, in a weak voice.

"I have had a great fight with Sapt and the Marshal--for we have told the Marshal everything.

I wanted to take you to Strelsau and keep you with me, and tell everyone of what you had done; and you would have been my best and nearest friend, Cousin Rudolf.

But they tell me I must not, and that the secret must be kept--if kept it can be." "They are right, sire.