"He left on Monday.

To-day's Wednesday.
The king has granted him an audience at four on Friday.

Well, then--" "They counted on success," I cried, "and Rischenheim takes the letter!" "A copy, if I know Rupert of Hentzau.

Yes, it was well laid.

I like the men taking all the cabs! How much ahead had they, now." I did not know that, though I had no more doubt than he that Rupert's hand was in the business.
"Well," he continued, "I am going to wire to Sapt to put Rischenheim off for twelve hours if he can; failing that, to get the king away from Zenda." "But Rischenheim must have his audience sooner or later," I objected.
"Sooner or later--there's the world's difference between them!" cried Rudolf Rassendyll.