"
"No, sir; but he's in charge of the house."
"Johann turned housemaid?"
The little girl was brimming over with gossip.
"Well, there are no others," said she. "There's not a woman there--not
as a servant, I mean. They do say--but perhaps it's false, sir."
"Let's have it for what it's worth," said I.
"Indeed, I'm ashamed to tell you, sir."
"Oh, see, I'm looking at the ceiling."
"They do say there is a lady there, sir; but, except for her, there's
not a woman in the place. And Johann has to wait on the gentlemen."
"Poor Johann! He must be overworked. Yet I'm sure he could find half an
hour to come and see you."
"It would depend on the time, sir, perhaps."
"Do you love him?" I asked.
"Not I, sir."
"And you wish to serve the King?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then tell him to meet you at the second milestone out of Zenda tomorrow
evening at ten o'clock. Say you'll be there and will walk home with
him."
"Do you mean him harm, sir?"
"Not if he will do as I bid him. But I think I've told you enough, my
pretty maid. See that you do as I bid you. And, mind, no one is to know
that the King has been here."
I spoke a little sternly, for there is seldom harm in infusing a little
fear into a woman's liking for you, and I softened the effect by giving
her a handsome present.
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