The instant effect of this assurance was all that could be desired. One by one took up the words they had just heard with a shout of triumph, waving their weapons in air and declaring that they would follow this new-found leader to the death. Then they all broke into a run, saluting Raoul, when they reached him, with the submissive gesture they were wont to accord their superiors.
Elated by the complete success of his strategy, Raoul looked exultantly at the men prostrate before him. Then he spoke to them sternly.
“Where are the Americans?” he demanded.
“Gone,” some of them murmured. “We could not find them.”
“Where have they gone? They must be near—somewhere.”
“To the queen—they have gone to the queen!”
“Ah, yes! to the queen! Follow quickly! We go to the queen!”
Raoul’s words were greeted with a cheer. The men rose to their feet and all, at a signal from their leader, swept forward to the great gateway, shouting as they ran—
“To the queen! To the queen!”