In her bewilderment she forgot to ask how he had learnt the signal that gained him admission.
"I've come to see the Count of Hentzau," Rudolf continued.

"Take me to him at once." The old woman was across his path in a moment, all defiant, arms akimbo.
"Nobody can see the count.

He's not here," she blurted out.
"What, can't the king see him?
Not even the king ?" "King!" she cried, peering at him.

"Are you the king ?" Rosa burst out laughing.
"Mother, you must have seen the king a hundred times," she laughed.
"The king, or his ghost--what does it matter ?" said Rudolf lightly.
The old woman drew back with an appearance of sudden alarm.
"His ghost?
Is he ?" "His ghost!" rang out in the girl's merry laugh.

"Why, here's the king himself, mother.