I lay there, thinking, as men sick and weary in body will, of the
dangers and the desperate nature of the risk, rather than of the
hope which its boldness would have inspired in a healthy, active
brain. I distrusted the rapid inference that Rudolf had drawn
from Sapt's telegram, telling myself that it was based on too
slender a foundation. Well, there I was wrong, and I am glad now
to pay that tribute to his discernment. The first steps of
Rupert's scheme were laid as Rudolf had conjectured: Rischenheim
had started, even while I lay there, for Zenda, carrying on his
person a copy of the queen's farewell letter and armed for his
enterprise by his right of audience with the king. So far we were
right, then; for the rest we were in darkness, not knowing or
being able even to guess where Rupert would choose to await the
result of the first cast, or what precautions he had taken
against the failure of his envoy. But although in total obscurity
as to his future plans, I traced his past actions, and subsequent
knowledge has shown that I was right. Bauer was the tool; a
couple of florins apiece had hired the fellows who, conceiving
that they were playing a part in some practical joke, had taken
all the cabs at the station. Rupert had reckoned that I should
linger looking for my servant and luggage, and thus miss my last
chance of a vehicle. If, however, I had obtained one, the attack
would still have been made, although, of course, under much
greater difficulties. Finally--and of this at the time I knew
nothing--had I evaded them and got safe to port with my cargo,
the plot would have been changed. Rupert's attention would then
have been diverted from me to Rudolf; counting on love overcoming
prudence, he reckoned that Mr. Rassendyll would not at once
destroy what the queen sent, and had arranged to track his steps