The queen herself came nearer to him and lightly touched his arm with her hand.

He started as though surprised, then fell again into his reverie.
"What's to be done, Rudolf ?" I asked again.
"I'm going to kill Rupert of Hentzau," he said.

"The rest we'll talk of afterwards." He walked rapidly across the room and rang the bell.

"Clear those people away," he ordered.

"Tell them that I want to be quiet.