"Make him send her a loving message, Fritz," she whispered.
"Something that will comfort her. Her idol can't be with her as
mine is with me."

"Yes, he'll send something to comfort her," I answered. "And God
keep you, my dear."

For he would surely send an answer to the letter that I carried,
and that answer I was sworn to bring safely to her. So I set out
in good heart, bearing in the pocket of my coat the little box
and the queen's good-by. And, as Colonel Sapt said to me, both I
would destroy, if need were--ay, and myself with them. A man did
not serve Queen Flavia with divided mind.



CHAPTER II. A STATION WITHOUT A CAB

The arrangements for my meeting with Mr. Rassendyll had been
carefully made by correspondence before he left England. He was
to be at the Golden Lion Hotel at eleven o'clock on the night of
the 15th of October. I reckoned to arrive in the town between
eight and nine on the same evening, to proceed to another hotel,
and, on pretence of taking a stroll, slip out and call on him at
the appointed hour. I should then fulfil my commission, take his
answer, and enjoy the rare pleasure of a long talk with him.
Early the next morning he would have left Wintenberg, and I
should be on my way back to Strelsau. I knew that he would not
fail to keep his appointment, and I was perfectly confident of