The Chancellor half expected to hear that Counsellor was also in Révonde, and that Rallywood with an unassuming but unspeakable effrontery had called to explain his own view of the matter.
'Unziar is with him—with Major Counsellor at Kofn Ford. Unziar was unable to ride on at once after crossing the river, which is in flood. Therefore I have come.'
Was it possible Rallywood had merely shirked facing the difficulty in this way? thought Selpdorf.
'Ah, Major Counsellor? And these are the despatches?'
'These are Major Counsellor's private despatches, which were stolen from him within the frontier of Maäsau!' said Rallywood.
Selpdorf's round eyes showed their lids in an odd flicker. The attack was sudden. He brushed his moustache upwards with a thoughtful movement of the finger and thumb, regarding Rallywood as he did so.
'Then why have you brought them to me?' he said at last.
'Because a soldier should see no further than the point of his sword, your Excellency,' replied Rallywood slowly.
'Good! And how do you come to know what the packet contains?'
'The persons who robbed Major Counsellor did not even take the precaution of placing it under another cover. He recognised it at the block-house.'