By an effort I freed myself from my fancies and tried to concentrate my brain on the facts of our position.

We were ringed round with difficulties.

To solve them was beyond my power; but I knew where my wish and longing lay.

I had no desire to find means by which Rudolf Rassendyll should escape unknown from Strelsau; the king, although dead, be again in death the king, and the queen be left desolate on her mournful and solitary throne.

It might be that a brain more astute than mine could bring all this to pass.