On came Bauer, softly, whistling and slushing his feet carelessly through the liquid mud.

Now he was nearly opposite where Mr.Rassendyll stood.

Rudolf was well-nigh convinced that the man had been on his track: he would make certainty surer.

The bold game was always his choice and his delight; this trait he shared with Rupert of Hentzau, and hence arose, I think, the strange secret inclination he had for his unscrupulous opponent.

Now he walked suddenly across to Bauer, and spoke to him in his natural voice, at the same time removing the scarf partly, but not altogether, from his face.
"You're out late, my friend, for a night like this." Bauer, startled though he was by the unexpected challenge, had his wits about him.