He saw the face that glared so eagerly at him; his eyes met Rassendyll's: a sudden suspicion seized him, for the face, though the king's face in every feature, bore a stern resolution and witnessed a vigor that were not the king's.

In that instant the truth, or a hint of it, flashed across his mind.

He gave a half-articulate cry; in one hand he crumpled up the paper, the other flew to his revolver.

But he was too late.

Rudolf's left hand encircled his hand and the paper in an iron grip; Rudolf's revolver was on his temple; and an arm was stretched out from behind the curtain, holding another barrel full before his eyes, while a dry voice said, "You'd best take it quietly." Then Sapt stepped out.
Rischenheim had no words to meet the sudden transformation of the interview.