The king sat down.
For a long while, not a sound was heard but the rapid ticking of the clock that stood on the writing-table.
The king arose from his seat and walked up and down the room. Then he came toward Baum, who felt as if the hour of judgment had come--as if his life hung in the balance. He tried to loosen his cravat; it seemed too tight for him. He almost felt as if a sword were passing through him.
"Do you know what was in the letter to the queen?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Was it sealed?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And have you nothing more?"
"Yes, Your Majesty; I was almost obliged to use violence to get this from the maid; and here, Your Majesty, there is something more. Beside the shoes, there was a pool of blood, and on this little plant there are drops of her blood."
A heart-rending cry of pain escaped the king; then, taking the letter and the plant with him, he went into the adjoining room.