"Is there any one else in the anteroom?" inquired the king of the chamberlain.
"Yes, Your Majesty; Baum is here."
"Let him enter."
Baum felt fully conscious of his importance. The king had not ordered him to report to the chamberlain, but had said, "Let him enter." He desired to confer with him in person. The confidential position which he had craved was already his.
Baum's usually grave and submissive manner seemed more impressive than ever before.
"Have you a message?" asked the king.
"No, Your Majesty."
"What have you there?"
"Your Majesty," replied Baum, placing his bundle on the chair and untying it, "I found this hat of Countess von Wildenort in the lake, and these shoes among the willows on the shore."
The king put forth his hand, as if to grasp these tokens, and then drew it back and pressed it to his heart. He stared at Baum and seemed lost in surprise.