So Duke Theodor had in the end to give in—which, to save time and trouble, he might well have done at the beginning—and consent that Princess Ruperta should from that very hour be placed under surveillance, and that the next day she should be conducted to the fortress-castle of Krell which had been the prison, and occasionally the grave, of certain persons who from time to time had had the temerity to oppose or offend the implacable Chancellor. The name of Krell had become almost a terror, and Rollmar was wise in choosing it as a retreat eminently adapted to bring the perverse Princess to a sense of obedience to his will.
The Duke had, with an ill grace, given a forced and grudging consent to the arrangement, and the Chancellor, having gained his point by what he considered an exorbitant expenditure of time and patience, was proceeding to mention other and less personal business of state, when word was brought that a despatch-rider had just arrived with important news from Beroldstein.
With an unusual show of eagerness, Rollmar had the despatch brought in.
“Has Prince Ludwig come to light?” the Duke inquired.
“No. But he will,” Rollmar answered. “King Josef is dead.”
CHAPTER XV
OMPERTZ IS PUZZLED
“I WONDER——”
“Ah!”
“Whether it would be possible to get this letter given to the Princess.”
“You wonder, Captain?”