She pushed back her heavy hair restlessly.
“I was anxious. And there were things I felt you should know.”
“What things?”
“The truth about the King’s condition, for one. He is dying. The bulletins lie. He is no better.”
“Why should the bulletins lie?”
“Because there is a crisis. You know it. But you cannot know what we know—the living in fear, the precautions, everything.”
“So!” said Karl uneasily. “But the Chancellor assured me—” He stopped. It was not yet time to speak of the Chancellor’s visit.
“The Chancellor! He lies, of course. How bad things are you may judge when I tell you that a hidden passage from the Palace has been opened and cleared, ready for instant flight.”
It was Karl’s turn to be startled. He rose, and stood staring down at her. “Are you certain of that?”
“Certain!” She laughed bitterly. “The Terrorists Revolutionists, they call themselves—are everywhere. They know everything, see everything. Mettlich’s agents are disappearing one by one. No one knows where, but all suspect. Student meetings are prohibited. The yearly procession of veterans is forbidden, for they trust none, even their old soldiers. The Council meets day after day in secret session.”