"Yes, sir," answered the servant, gathering together his
appliances.

"Telegraph forms, then."

James went out, and was back with the forms in an instant.

"Be ready when I ring," said Rudolf. And he added, turning to me,
"Any easier, Fritz?"

"I can listen to you now," I said.

"I see their game," said he. "One or other of them, Rupert or
this Rischenheim, will try to get to the king with the letter."

I sprang to my feet.

"They mustn't," I cried, and I reeled back into my chair, with a
feeling as if a red-hot poker were being run through my head.

"Much you can do to stop 'em, old fellow," smiled Rudolf, pausing
to press my hand as he went by. "They won't trust the post, you
know. One will go. Now which?" He stood facing me with a
thoughtful frown on his face.

I did not know, but I thought that Rischenheim would go. It was a
great risk for Rupert to trust himself in the kingdom, and he
knew that the king would not easily be persuaded to receive him,
however startling might be the business he professed as his