Then, recovering his composure a little, he said angrily, "How dare you come here ?" "You didn't expect me ?" cried Rupert, and in an instant the thought of a trap seemed to flash across his alert mind.

He drew the revolver halfway from his belt, probably in a scarcely conscious movement, born of the desire to assure himself of its presence.

With a cry of alarm Herbert flung himself before the king, who sank back on the bed.

Rupert, puzzled, vexed, yet half-amused (for he smiled still, the man said), took a step forward, crying out something about Rischenheim--what, Herbert could not tell us.
"Keep back," exclaimed the king.

"Keep back." Rupert paused; then, as though with a sudden thought, he held up the box that was in his left hand, saying: '"Well, look at this sire, and we'll talk afterwards," and he stretched out his hand with the box in it.
Now the king stood on a razor's edge, for the king whispered to Herbert, "What is it?
Go and take it." But Herbert hesitated, fearing to leave the king, whom his body now protected as though with a shield.