'Privy Councillors,' said Wonse.
'No doubt they will respond with even greater generosity in the matter of, for example, treasure?'
'I am sure such considerations haven't crossed the king's mind,' said Wonse, 'but the point is very well made.'
'I thought it would be.'
The next course was fat pork, beans and floury potatoes. More, as they couldn't help noticing, fattening food.
Wonse had a glass of water.
'Which brings us on to a further matter of some delicacy which I am sure that well- travelled, broad-minded gentlemen such as yourselves will have no difficulty in accepting,' he said. The hand holding the glass was beginning to shake.
'I hope it will also be understood by the population at large, especially since the king will undoubtedly be able to contribute in so many ways to the well-being and defence of the city. For example, I am sure that the people will rest more contentedly in their beds knowing that the dr…the king is tirelessly protecting them from harm. There can, however, be ridiculous ancient . . . prejudices . . . which will only be eradicated by ceaseless work ... on the part of all men of good will.'
He paused, and looked at them. The head assassin said later that he had looked into the eyes of many men who, obviously, were very near death, but he had never looked into eyes that were so clearly and unmistakably looking back at him from the slopes of Hell.
He hoped he would never, he said, ever have to look into eyes like that again.
Вы читаете Guards! Guards!
