"
"There, Grand Master," the King said, turning to me, "that is the
truth, I think. What do you say to it?"
"That the rest is simple," I answered, grimly. "He did not drink
it before; but he will drink it now, sire."
The King, sitting on the bed, laughed and looked at La Trape; as
if his good-nature almost led him to interpose. But after a
moment's hesitation he thought better of it, and handed me the
cup. "Very well," he said; "he is your man. Have your way with
him. After all, he should have drunk it."
"He shall drink it now, or be broken on the wheel!" I said. "Do
you hear, you?" I continued, turning to him in a white heat of
rage at the thought of his negligence, and the price it might
have cost me. "Take it, and beware that you do not drop or spill
it. For I swear that that shall not save you!"
He took the cup with a pale face, and hands that shook so much
that he needed both to support the vessel. He hesitated, too, so
long that, had I not possessed the best of reasons for believing
in his fidelity, I should have suspected him of more than
negligence.
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