“I think so. He shifted the reins from one hand to the other and wrung his arm. I mounted and made after him, but his horse was better than mine and he gained ground. We began to meet people, too, and I didn’t dare to fire again. So I left him and rode here to tell you. Never employ me again, Constable, so long as you live,” and the young man’s face was twisted with misery and shame, as, forgetting the queen’s presence, he sank despondently into a chair. Sapt took no notice of his self-reproaches. But Rudolf went and laid a hand on his shoulder. “It was an accident,” he said. “No blame to you.” The queen rose and walked towards him; Bernenstein sprang to his feet. “Sir,” said she, “it is not success but effort that should gain thanks,” and she held out her hand. Well, he was young; I do not laugh at the sob that escaped his lips as he turned his head. “Let me try something else!” he implored. “Mr. Rassendyll,” said the queen, “you’ll do my pleasure by employing this gentleman in my further service. I am already deep in his debt, and would be deeper.” There was a moment’s silence. “Well, but what’s to be done?” asked Colonel Sapt. “He’s gone to Strelsau.” “He’ll stop Rupert,” mused Mr. Rassendyll. “He may or he mayn’t.” “It’s odds that he will.” “We must provide for both.” Sapt and Rudolf looked at one another. “You must be here!” asked Rudolf of the constable. “Well, I’ll go to Strelsau.” His smile broke out. “That is, if Bernenstein’ll lend me a hat.” The queen made no sound; but she came and laid her hand on his arm. He looked at her, smiling still. “Yes, I’ll go to Strelsau,” said he, “and I’ll find Rupert, ay, and Rischenheim too, if they’re in the city.” “Take me with you,” cried Bernenstein eagerly. Rudolf glanced at Sapt. The constable shook his head. Bernenstein’s face fell. “It’s not that, boy,” said old Sapt, half in kindness, half in impatience. “We want you here. Suppose Rupert comes here with Rischenheim!” The idea was new, but the event was by no means unlikely. “But you’ll be here, Constable,” urged Bernenstein, “and Fritz von Tarlenheim will arrive in an hour.” “Ay, young man,” said Sapt, nodding his head; “but when I fight Rupert of Hentzau, I like to have a man to spare,” and he grinned broadly, being no whit afraid of what Bernenstein might think of his courage. “Now go and get him a hat,” he added, and the lieutenant ran off on the errand. But the queen cried: “Are you sending Rudolf alone, then--alone against two?” “Yes, madam, if I may command the campaign,” said Sapt. “I take it he should be equal to the task.” He could not know the feelings of the queen’s heart. She dashed her hand across her eyes, and turned in mute entreaty to Rudolf Rassendyll. “I must go,” he said softly. “We can’t spare Bernenstein, and I mustn’t stay here.” She said no more. Rudolf walked across to Sapt. “Take me to the stables. Is the horse good? I daren’t take the train. Ah, here’s the lieutenant and the hat.”