heard it."

Well said, and like old Sapt! Yet the man is little without the
opportunity, and Rupert by himself could hardly have troubled our
repose. Hampered by his own guilt, he dared not set his foot in
the kingdom from which by rare good luck he had escaped, but
wandered to and fro over Europe, making a living by his wits,
and, as some said, adding to his resources by gallantries for
which he did not refuse substantial recompense. But he kept
himself constantly before our eyes, and never ceased to contrive
how he might gain permission to return and enjoy the estates to
which his uncle's death had entitled him. The chief agent through
whom he had the effrontery to approach the king was his relative,
the Count of Luzau-Rischenheim, a young man of high rank and
great wealth who was devoted to Rupert. The count fulfilled his
mission well: acknowledging Rupert's heavy offences, he put
forward in his behalf the pleas of youth and of the predominant
influence which Duke Michael had exercised over his adherent, and
promised, in words so significant as to betray Rupert's own
dictation, a future fidelity no less discreet than hearty. "Give
me my price and I'll hold my tongue," seemed to come in Rupert's
off-hand accents through his cousin's deferential lips. As may be
supposed, however, the king and those who advised him in the
matter, knowing too well the manner of man the Count of Hentzau
was, were not inclined to give ear to his ambassador's prayer. We
kept firm hold on Master Rupert's revenues, and as good watch as
we could on his movements; for we were most firmly determined
that he should never return to Ruritania. Perhaps we might have
obtained his extradition and hanged him on the score of his
crimes; but in these days every rogue who deserves no better than