Go back and keep his throne warm for him." "But the duke knows--the villains he has employed know--" "Ay, but they can't speak!" roared Sapt in grim triumph.
"We've got 'em! How can they denounce you without denouncing themselves?
This is not the King, because we kidnapped the King and murdered his servant.

Can they say that ?" The position flashed on me.

Whether Michael knew me or not, he could not speak.

Unless he produced the King, what could he do?
And if he produced the King, where was he?
For a moment I was carried away headlong; but in an instant the difficulties came strong upon me.
"I must be found out," I urged.
"Perhaps; but every hour's something.

Above all, we must have a King in Strelsau, or the city will be Michael's in four-and-twenty hours, and what would the King's life be worth then--or his throne?
Lad, you must do it!" "Suppose they kill the King ?" "They'll kill him, if you don't." "Sapt, suppose they have killed the King ?" "Then, by heaven, you're as good an Elphberg as Black Michael, and you shall reign in Ruritania! But I don't believe they have; nor will they kill him if you're on the throne.