Indeed, if questioned, he would answer without hesitation that he hadn't seen anybody even like the king, much less the king himself." A doubtful, puzzled little smile spread under the sergeant's moustache.
"You see, the king is not even in Strelsau," said Rudolf.
"Not in Strelsau, sir ?" "Why, no, he's at Zenda." "Ah! At Zenda, sir ?" "Certainly.

It is therefore impossible--physically impossible--that he should be here." The fellow was convinced that he understood now.
"It's certainly impossible, sir," said he, smiling more broadly.
"Absolutely.

And therefore impossible also that you should have seen him." With this Rudolf took a gold piece from his pocket and handed it to the sergeant.

The fellow took it with something like a wink.
"As for you, you've searched here and found nobody," concluded Mr.
Rassendyll.

"So hadn't you better at once search somewhere else?
"Without doubt, sir," said the sergeant, and with the most deferential salute, and another confidential smile, he turned and rode back by the way he had come.