"Burroughs, Edgar Rice - The Mad King" - читать интересную книгу автора (Burroughs Edgar Rice)

I have any guilty knowledge of Leopold's escape. With
Leopold upon the throne of Lutha, where, think you, my
prince, would old Coblich be?"

Peter smiled.

"You are right, Coblich," he said. "I know that you
would not be such a fool; but whom, then, have we to
thank?"

"The walls have ears, prince," replied Coblich, "and we
have not always been as careful as we should in discussing
the matter. Something may have come to the ears of old
Von der Tann. I don't for a moment doubt but that he has
his spies among the palace servants, or even the guard. You
know the old fox has always made it a point to curry favor
with the common soldiers. When he was minister of war he
treated them better than he did his officers."

"It seems strange, Coblich, that so shrewd a man as you
should have been unable to discover some irregularity in
the political life of Prince Ludwig von der Tann before
now," said the prince querulously. "He is the greatest men-
ace to our peace and sovereignty. With Von der Tann out
of the way there would be none powerful enough to ques-
tion our right to the throne of Lutha--after poor Leopold
passes away."

"You forget that Leopold has escaped," suggested Coblich,
"and that there is no immediate prospect of his passing
away."

"He must be retaken at once, Coblich!" cried Prince Peter
of Blentz. "He is a dangerous maniac, and we must make
this fact plain to the people--this and a thorough descrip-
tion of him. A handsome reward for his safe return to Blentz
might not be out of the way, Coblich."

"It shall be done, your highness," replied Coblich. "And
about Von der Tann? You have never spoken to me quite
so--ah--er--pointedly before. He hunts a great deal in the
Old Forest. It might be possible--in fact, it has happened,
before--there are many accidents in hunting, are there not,
your highness?"

"There are, Coblich," replied the prince, "and if Leopold
is able he will make straight for the Tann, so that there may
be two hunting together in a day or so, Coblich."

"I understand, your highness," replied the minister. "With