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PERT 


ANTHONY 
MOPE 


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University  of  California  •  Berkeley 

Gift  of 
THE  HEARST  CORPORATION 


71.  t),S.    "M-J  S 


RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU 


''God  Save  the  King! 


SEK    PAGE    333. 


All  Rights  Reserved 


RUPERT  OF    liENTZAU 


BY 

ANTHONY    HOPE 


Being  the  Sequel  to  a  story  by  the  same  writer  entitled 
The  Prisoner  of  Zenda 


With  Illustrations  by 
CHARLES    DANA    GIBSON 


BRISTOL 
J.  W.  Arrowsmith,  II  Quay  Street 

LONDON 
SiMPKiN,  Marshall,  Hamilton,  Kent  and  Company  Limited 


BY    THE    SAME    AUTHOR. 


A    MAN     OF    MARK. 

FATHER    STAFFORD. 

A    CHANGE    OF    AIR. 

MR.    WITT'S    WIDOW. 

HALF    A    HERO. 

THE     PRISONER     OF     ZENDA. 

THE    INDISCRETION    OF    THE    DUCHESS. 

THE    DOLLY    DIALOGUES. 

THE     GOD     IN     THE     CAR. 

THE    CHRONICLES    OF    COUNT    ANTONIO. 

THE    HEART    OF    PRINCESS    OSRA. 

PHROSO. 

SIMON    DALE. 


CONTENTS, 


Chap. 

I.  THE    queen's    good-bye       • 

II.  A    STATION    WITHOUT   A    CAB 

III.  AGAIN    TO   ZENDA  .  . 

IV.  AN    EDDY   ON   THE    MOAT       • 

V.  AN    AUDIENCE    OF   THE    KING 

VI.  THE    TASK    OF   THE    QUEEN'S    SERVANTS 

VII.  THE    MESSAGE   OF    SIMON   THE    HUNTSMAN 
VIII.  THE    TEMPER   OF   BORIS   THE    HOUND 

IX.  THE    KING    IN    THE    HUNTING-LODGE 

X.  THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU 

XI.  WHAT    THE    CHANCELLOR'S    WIFE    SAW 

XII.  BEFORE    THEM    ALL  I      .  •  • 

XIII.  A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE 

XIV.  THE    NEWS    COMES    TO    STRELSAU 

XV.  A    PASTIME    FOR    COLONEL   SAPT     . 

XVI.  A   CROWD    IN    THE    KONIGSTRASSE 

XVII.  YOUNG   RUPERT   AND   THE    PLAY-ACTOR 
XVIII.  THE   TRIUMPH    OF   THE    KING 

XIX.  FOR    OUR   LOVE    AND    HER    HONOUR ! 

XX.  THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN 

XXI.  THE    COMING   OF   THE    DREAM 


7 

25 

41 

58 

77 

97 

1x6 

136 

154 

173 

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211 

227 

244 

261 

279 

297 

317 

337 

357 

378 


RUPERT  OF   HENTZAU. 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE     QUEEN'S     GOOD-BYE. 

A  MAN  who  has  lived  in  the  world, 
marking  how  every  act,  although  in 
itself  perhaps  light  and  insignificant, 
may  become  the  source  of  consequences 
that  spread  far  and  wide,  and  flow  for 
years  or  centuries,  could  scarcely  feel 
secure  in  reckoning  that  with  the  death 
of  the  Duke  of  Strelsau  and  the  restoration 
of  King  Rudolf  to  liberty  and  his  throne, 
there  would  end,  for  good  and  all,  the  troubles 
born  of  Black  Michael's  daring  conspiracy. 
The  stakes  had  been  high,  the  struggle  keen ; 
the  edge  of  passion  had  been  sharpened,  and 
the  seeds  of  enmity  sown.  Yet  Michael, 
having  struck  for  the  crown,  had  paid  for  the 
blow  with  his  life :  should  there  not  then  be 
an  end  ?  Michael  was  dead,  the  Princess  her 
cousin's  wife,  the  story  in  safe  keeping,  and 


RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


Mr.  Rassendyll's  face  seen  no  more  in 
Ruritania.  Should  there  not  then  be  an  end  ? 
So  said  I  to  my  friend  the  Constable  of 
Zenda,  as  we  talked  by  the  bedside  of 
Marshal  Strakencz.  The  old  man,  already 
nearing  the  death  that  soon  after  robbed  us 
of  his  aid  and  counsel,  bowed  his  head  in 
assent :  in  the  aged  and  ailing  the  love  of 
peace  breeds  hope  of  it.  But  Colonel  Sapt 
tugged  at  his  grey  moustache  and  twisted  his 
black  cigar  in  his  mouth,  saying :  "  You  're 
very  sanguine,  friend  Fritz.  But  is  Rupert 
of  Hentzau  dead  ?     I  had  not  heard  it." 

Well  said,  and  like  old  Sapt  I  Yet  the  man 
is  little  without  the  opportunity,  and  Rupert 
by  himself  could  hardly  have  troubled  our 
repose.  Hampered  by  his  own  guilt,  he 
dared  not  set  his  foot  in  the  kingdom  from 
which  by  rare  good  luck  he  had  escaped,  but 
wandered  to  and  fro  over  Europe,  making  a 
living  by  his  wits,  and,  as  some  said,  adding 
to  his  resources  by  gallantries  for  which  he 
did  not  refuse  substantial  recompense.  But 
he  kept  himself  constantly  before  our  eyes, 
and  never  ceased  to  contrive  how  he  might 
gain  permission  to  return  and  enjoy  the 
estates  to  which  his  uncle's  death  had  en- 
titled him.  The  chief  agent  through  whom 
he  had  the  effrontery  to  approach  the  King 
was  his  relative,  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischen- 
heim,  a  young  man  of  high  rank  and  great 
wealth   who  was    devoted  to    Rupert.     The 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE. 


Count  fulfilled  his  mission  well:  acknowledg- 
ing Rupert's  heavy  offences,  he  put  forward 
on  his  behalf  the  pleas  of  youth  and  of  the 
predominant  influence  which  Duke  Michael 
had  exercised  over  his  adherent,  and  pro- 
mised, in  words  so  significant  as  to  betray 
Rupert's  own  dictation,  a  future  fidelity  no 
less  discreet  than  hearty.  **  Give  me  my 
price  and  I'll  hold  my  tongue,"  seemed  to 
come  in  Rupert's  off-hand  accents  through 
his  cousin's  deferential  lips.  As  may  be  sup- 
posed, however,  the  King  and  those  who 
advised  him  in  the  matter,  knowing  too  well 
the  manner  of  man  the  Count  of  Hentzau 
was,  were  not  inclined  to  give  ear  to  his 
ambassador's  prayer.  We  kept  firm  hold  on 
Master  Rupert's  revenues,  and  as  good  a 
watch  as  we  could  on  his  movements ;  for 
we  were  most  firmly  determined  that  he 
should  never  return  to  Ruritania.  Perhaps 
we  might  have  obtained  his  extradition  and 
hanged  him  on  the  score  of  his  crimes ;  but 
in  these  days  every  rogue  who  deserves  no 
better  than  to  be  strung  up  to  the  nearest 
tree  must  have  what  they  call  a  fair  trial, 
and  we  feared  that,  if  Rupert  were  handed 
over  to  our  police  and  arraigned  before  the 
courts  at^  Strelsau,  the  secret  which  we 
guarded  so  sedulously  would  become  the 
gossip  of  all  the  city,  aye,  and  of  all  Europe. 
So  Rupert  went  unpunished  except  by  banish- 
ment and  the  impounding  of  his  rents. 


10  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Yet  Sapt  was  in  the  right  about  him. 
Helpless  as  he  seemed,  he  did  not  for  an 
instant  abandon  the  contest.  He  lived  in 
the  faith  that  his  chance  would  come,  and 
from  day  to  day  was  ready  for  its  coming. 
He  schemed  against  us  as  we  schemed  to 
protect  ourselves  from  him ;  if  we  watched 
him,  he  kept  his  eye  on  us.  His  ascendancy 
over  Luzau  -  Rischenheim  grew  markedly 
greater  after  a  visit  which  his  cousin  paid 
to  him  in  Paris.  From  this  time  the  young 
Count  began  to  supply  him  with  resources. 
Thus  armed,  he  gathered  instruments  round 
him,  and  organised  a  system  of  espionage 
that  carried  to  his  ears  all  our  actions  and 
the  whole  position  of  affairs  at  Court.  He 
knew,  far  more  accurately  than  any  one  else 
outside  the  royal  circle,  the  measures  taken 
for  the  government  of  the  kingdom  and  the 
considerations  that  dictated  the  royal  policy. 
More  than  this,  he  possessed  himself  of  every 
detail  concerning  the  King's  health,  although 
the  utmost  reticence  was  observed  on  this 
subject.  Had  his  discoveries  stopped  here, 
they  would  have  been  vexatious  and  dis- 
quieting, but  perhaps  of  little  serious  harm. 
They  went  further.  Set  on  the  track  by  his 
acquaintance  with  what  had  passed  during 
Mr.  Rassendyll's  tenure  of  the  throne,  he 
penetrated  the  secret  which  had  been  kept 
successfully  from  the  King  himself.  In  the 
knowledge  of  it  he  found  the  opportunity  for 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE.  II 

which  he  had  waited;  in  its  bold  use  he 
discerned  his  chance.  I  cannot  say  whether 
he  was  influenced  more  strongly  by  his  desire 
to  re-establish  his  position  in  the  kingdom, 
or  by  the  grudge  he  bore  against  Mr.  Ras- 
scndyll.  He  loved  power  and  money;  dearly 
he  loved  revenge  also.  No  doubt  the 
motives  worked  together,  and  he  was  re- 
joiced to  find  that  the  weapon  put  into  his 
hand  had  a  double  edge ;  with  one  he  hoped 
to  cut  his  own  path  clear,  with  the  other  to 
wound  the  man  he  hated  through  the  woman 
whom  that  man  loved.  In  fine,  the  Count 
of  Hentzau,  shrewdly  discerning  the  feeling 
that  existed  between  the  Queen  and  Rudolf 
Rassendyll,  set  his  spies  to  work,  and  was 
rewarded  by  discovering  the  object  of  my 
yearly  meetings  with  Mr.  Rassendyll.  At 
least  he  conjectured  the  nature  of  my  errand: 
this  was  enough  for  him.  Head  and  hand 
were  soon  busy  in  turning  the  knowledge  to 
account ;  scruples  of  the  heart  never  stood 
in  Rupert's  way. 

The  marriage,  which  had  set  all  Ruritania 
on  fire  with  joy  and  formed  in  the  people's 
eyes  the  visible  triumph  over  Black  Michael 
and  his  fellow-conspirators,  was  now  three 
years  old.  For  three  years  the  Princess 
Flavia  had  been  Queen.  I  am  come  by  now 
to  the  age  when  a  man  should  look  out  on 
life  with  an  eye  undimmed  by  the  mists  of 
passion.      My    love-making    days    are    over ; 


Xa  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

yet  there  is  nothing  for  which  I  am  more 
thankful  to  Almighty  God  than  the  gift  of  my 
wife's  love.  In  storm  it  has  been  my  anchor, 
and  in  clear  skies  my  star.  But  we  common 
folk  are  free  to  follow  our  hearts ;  am  I  an 
old  fool  for  saying  that  he  is  a  fool  who 
follows  anything  else  ?  Our  liberty  is  not 
for  princes.  "We  need  v^/ait  for  no  future 
world  to  balance  the  luck  of  men ;  even  here 
there  is  an  equipoise.  From  the  highly 
placed  a  price  is  exacted  for  their  state,  their 
wealth,  and  their  honours,  as  heavy  as  these 
are  great  ;  to  the  poor  what  is  to  us  mean 
and  of  no  sweetness  may  appear  decked  in 
the  robes  of  pleasure  and  delight.  Well,  if 
it  were  not  so,  who  could  sleep  at  nights? 
The  burden  laid  on  Queen  Flavia  I  knew 
and  know,  so  well  as  a  man  can  know  it.  I 
think  it  needs  a  woman  to  know  it  fully;  for 
even  now  my  wife's  eyes  fill  with  tears  when 
we  speak  of  it.  Yet  she  bore  it,  and  if  she 
failed  in  anything,  I  wonder  that  it  was  in 
so  little.  For  it  was  not  only  that  she  had 
never  loved  the  King  and  had  loved  another 
with  all  her  heart.  The  King's  health,  shat- 
tered by  the  horror  and  rigours  of  his  im- 
prisonment in  the  Castle  of  Zenda,  soon 
broke  utterly.  He  lived  indeed;  nay,  he 
shot  and  hunted,  and  kept  in  his  hand  some 
measure,  at  least,  of  government.  But 
always  from  the  day  of  his  release  he  was 
a  fretful    invalid,   different    utterly  from    the 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE.  13 

gay  and  jovial  prince  whom  Michael's  villains 
had  caught  in  the  hunting  -  lodge.  There 
was  worse  than  this.  As  time  went  on,  the 
first  impulse  of  gratitude  and  admiration  that 
he  had  felt  towards  Mr.  Rassendyll  died 
away.  He  came  to  brood  more  and  more 
on  what  had  passed  while  he  was  a  prisoner ; 
he  was  possessed  not  only  by  a  haunting 
dread  of  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  at  whose  hands 
he  had  suffered  so  greatly,  but  also  by  a 
morbid  half-mad  jealousy  of  Mr.  Rassendyll. 
Rudolf  had  played  the  hero  while  he  lay 
helpless.  Rudolfs  were  the  exploits  for 
which  his  own  people  cheered  him  in  his 
own  capital.  Rudolf's  were  the  laurels  that 
crowned  his  impatient  brow.  He  had  enough 
nobility  to  resent  his  borrowed  credit,  with- 
out the  fortitude  to  endure  it  manfully.  And 
the  hateful  comparison  struck  him  nearer 
home.  Sapt  would  tell  him  bluntly  that 
Rudolf  did  this  or  that,  set  this  precedent  or 
that,  laid  down  this  or  the  other  policy,  and 
that  the  King  could  do  no  better  than  follow 
in  Rudolfs  steps.  Mr.  Rassendyll's  name 
seldom  left  his  wife's  lips,  but  when  she 
spoke  of  him  it  was  as  one  speaks  of  a  great 
man  who  is  dead,  belittling  all  the  living  by 
the  shadow  of  his  name.  I  do  not  believe 
that  the  King  discerned  that  truth  which  his 
wife  spent  her  days  in  hiding  from  him;  yet 
he  was  uneasy  if  Rudolfs  name  were  men- 
tioned   by    Sapt    or    myself,    and    from    the 


RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


Queen's  mouth  he  could  not  bear  it.  I  have 
seen  him  fall  into  fits  of  passion  on  the  mere 
sound  of  it ;  for  he  lost  control  of  himself  on 
what  seemed  slight  provocation. 

Moved  by  this  disquieting  jealousy,  he 
sought  continually  to  exact  from  the  Queen 
proofs  of  love  and  care  beyond  what  most 
husbands  can  boast  of,  or  in  my  humble 
judgment  make  good  their  right  to,  always 
asking  of  her  what  in  his  heart  he  feared 
was  not  hers  to  give.  Much  she  did  in  pity 
and  in  duty ;  but  in  some  moments,  being 
but  human  and  herself  a  woman  of  high 
temper,  she  failed ;  then  the  slight  rebuff  or 
involuntary  coldness  was  magnified  by  a  sick 
man's  fancy  into  great  offence  or  studied 
insult,  and  nothing  that  she  could  do  would 
atone  for  it.  Thus  they,  who  had  never  in 
truth  come  together,  drifted  yet  further  apart ; 
he  was  alone  in  his  sickness  and  suspicion, 
she  in  her  sorrows  and  her  memories.  There 
was  no  child  to  bridge  the  gulf  between  them, 
and  although  she  was  his  queen  and  his  wife, 
she  grew  almost  a  stranger  to  him.  So  he 
seemed  to  will  that  it  should  be. 

Thus,  worse  than  widowed,  she  lived  for 
three  years;  and  once  only  in  each  year  she 
sent  three  words  to  the  man  she  loved,  and 
received  from  him  three  words  in  answer. 
Then  her  strength  failed  her.  A  pitiful  scene 
had  occurred  in  which  the  King  peevishly 
upbraided    her    in    regard    to    some    trivial 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE.  1 5 

matter — the  occasion  escapes  my  memory — 
speaking  to  her  before  others  words  that 
even  alone  she  could  not  have  listened  to 
with  dignity.  I  was  there,  and  Sapt ;  the 
Colonel's  small  eyes  had  gleamed  in  anger. 
*'  I  should  like  to  shut  his  mouth  for  him," 
I  heard  him  mutter,  for  the  King's  wayward- 
ness had  well-nigh  worn  out  even  his 
devotion. 

The  thing,  of  which  I  will  say  no  more, 
happened  a  day  or  two  before  I  was  to  set 
out  to  meet  Mr.  Rassendyll.  I  was  to  seek 
him  this  time  at  Wintenberg,  for  I  had  been 
recognised  the  year  before,  at  Dresden, 
and  Wintenberg,  being  a  smaller  place 
and  less  in  the  way  of  chance  visitors, 
was  deemed  safer.  I  remember  well  how 
she  was  when  she  called  me  into  her  own 
room  a  few  hours  after  she  had  left  the  King. 
She  stood  by  the  table;  the  box  was  on  it, 
and  I  knew  well  that  the  red  rose  and  the 
message  were  within.  But  there  was  more 
to-day.  Without  preface  she  broke  into  the 
subject  of  my  errand. 

**  I  must  write  to  him,"  she  said.  **  I  can't 
bear  it,  I  must  write.  My  dear  friend  Fritz, 
you  will  carry  it  safely  for  me,  won't  you? 
And  he  must  write  to  me.  And  you  '11  bring 
that  safely,  won't  you?  Ah,  Fritz,  I  know 
I  'm  wrong,  but  I  *m  starved,  starved,  starved  ! 
And  it's  for  the  last  time.  For  I  know  now 
that  if  I  send  anything,  I  must  send  more. 


I 


l6  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


So  after  this  time  I  will  not  send  at  all.  But 
I  must  say  good-bye  to  him,  I  must  have 
his  good-bye  to  carry  me  through  my  life. 
This  once,  then,  Fritz,  do  it  for  me." 

The  tears  rolled  down  her  cheeks,  which 
to-day  were  flushed  out  of  their  paleness  to 
a  stormy  red ;  her  eyes  defied  me  even  while 
they  pleaded.  I  bent  my  head  and  kissed 
her  hand. 

**With  God's  help  I'll  carry  it  safely  and 
bring  his  safely,  my  Queen,"  said  I. 

<*And  tell  me  how  he  looks.  Look  at  him 
closely,  Fritz.  See  if  he  is  well  and  seems 
strong.  Oh,  and  make  him  merry  and 
happy!  Bring  that  smile  to  his  lips,  Fritz, 
and  the  merry  twinkle  to  his  eyes.  When 
you  speak  of  me,  see  if  he— if  he  looks  as 
if  he  still  loved  me."  But  then  she  broke 
off,  crying :  "  But  don't  tell  him  I  said  that  I 
He'd  be  grieved  if  I  doubted  his  love.  I 
don't  doubt  it — I  don't  indeed ;  but  still  tell 
me  how  he  looks  when  you  speak  of  me, 
won't  you,  Fritz?     See,  here's  the  letter." 

Taking  it  from  her  bosom,  she  kissed  it 
before  she  gave  it  to  me.  Then  she  added 
a  thousand  cautions — how  I  was  to  carry 
her  letter,  how  I  was  to  go  and  how  return, 
and  how  I  was  to  run  no  danger,  because 
my  wife  Helga  loved  me  as  well  as  she 
would  have  loved  her  husband  had  Heaven 
been  kinder. 

"At  least,  almost  as  I  should,  Fritz,"  she 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE.  1 7 


said,  now  between  smiles  and  tears.  She 
would  not  believe  that  any  woman  could 
love  as  she  loved. 

I  left  the  Queen  and  went  to  prepare  for 
my  journey.  I  used  to  take  only  one 
servant  with  me,  and  I  had  chosen  a  different 
man  each  year.  None  of  them  had  known 
that  I  met  Mr.  Rassendyll,  but  supposed  that 
I  was  engaged  on  the  private  business  which 
I  made  my  pretext  for  obtaining  leave  of 
absence  from  the  King.  This  time  I  had 
determined  to  take  with  me  a  Swiss  youth, 
who  had  entered  my  service  only  a  few  weeks 
before.  His  name  was  Bauer ;  he  seemed 
a  stolid,  somewhat  stupid  fellow,  but  as 
honest  as  the  day  and  very  obliging.  He 
had  come  to  me  well  recommended,  and  I 
had  not  hesitated  to  engage  him.  I  chose 
him  for  my  companion  now,  chiefly  because 
he  was  a  foreigner,  and  therefore  less  likely 
to  gossip  with  the  other  servants  when  we 
returned.  I  do  not  pretend  to  much  clever- 
ness, but  I  confess  that  it  vexes  me  to 
remember  how  that  stout  guileless-looking 
youth  made  a  fool  of  me.  For  Rupert  knew 
that  I  had  met  Mr.  Rassendyll  the  year 
before  at  Dresden ;  Rupert  was  keeping  a 
watchful  eye  on  all  that  passed  in  Strelsau ; 
Rupert  had  procured  the  fellow  his  fine 
testimonials  and  sent  him  to  me,  in  the 
hope  that  he  would  chance  on  something 
of  advantage  to   his   employer.     My  resolve 


l8  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

to  take  him  to  Wintenberg  may  have  been 
hoped  for,  but  could  scarcely  have  been 
counted  on ;  it  was  the  added  luck  that  waits 
so  often  on  the  plans  of  a  clever  schemer. 

Going  to  take  leave  of  the  King,  I  found  him 
huddled  over  the  fire.  The  day  was  not  cold, 
but  the  damp  chill  of  his  dungeon  seemed  to 
have  penetrated  to  the  very  core  of  his  bones. 
He  was  annoyed  at  my  going,  and  questioned 
me  peevishly  about  the  business  that  occa- 
sioned my  journey.  I  parried  his  curiosity  as 
I  best  could,  but  did  not  succeed  in  appeasing 
his  ill-humour.  Half-ashamed  of  his  recent 
outburst,  half- anxious  to  justify  it  to  himself, 
he  cried  fretfully : 

"  Business  !  Yes,  any  business  is  a  good 
enough  excuse  for  leaving  me  !  By  heaven, 
I  wonder  if  a  king  was  ever  served  so  badly 
as  I  am  !  Why  did  you  trouble  to  get  me  out 
of  Zenda  ?  Nobody  wants  me,  nobody  cares 
whether  I  live  or  die." 

To  reason  with  such  a  mood  was  impossible. 
I  could  only  assure  him  that  I  would  hasten 
my  return  by  all  possible  means. 

"Yes,  pray  do,"  said  he.  "I  want  some- 
body to  look  after  me.  Who  knows  what  that 
villain  Rupert  may  attempt  against  me  ?  And 
I  can't  defend  myself,  can  I  ?  I  *m  not  Rudolf 
Rassendyll,  am  I  ?  " 

Thus,  with  a  mixture  of  plaintiveness  and 
malice,  he  scolded  me.  At  last  I  stood  silent, 
waiting  till  he  should  be  pleased  to  dismiss 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE.  19 


me.  At  any  rate  I  was  thankful  that  he  enter- 
tained no  suspicion  as  to  my  errand.  Had  I 
spoken  a  word  of  Mr.  Rassendyll  he  would 
not  have  let  me  go.  He  had  fallen  foul  of  me 
before  on  learning  that  I  was  in  communica- 
tion with  Rudolf;  so  completely  had  jealousy 
destroyed  gratitude  in  his  breast.  If  he  had 
known  what  I  carried,  I  do  not  think  that  he 
could  have  hated  his  preserver  more.  Very 
likely  some  such  feeling  was  natural  enough ; 
it  was  none  the  less  painful  to  perceive. 

On  leaving  the  King's  presence  I  sought  out 
the  Constable  of  Zenda.  He  knew  my  errand; 
and,  sitting  down  beside  him,  I  told  him  of  the 
letter  I  carried,  and  arranged  how  to  apprise 
him  of  my  fortune  surely  and  quickly.  He  was 
not  in  a  good  humour  that  day :  the  King  had 
ruffled  him  also,  and  Colonel  Sapt  had  no  great 
reserve  of  patience. 

"  If  we  haven't  cut  one  another's  throats 
before  then,  we  shall  all  be  at  Zenda  by  the 
time  you  arrive  at  Wintenberg,"  he  said. 
"  The  Court  moves  there  to-morrow,  and  I 
shall  be  there  as  long  as  the  King  is." 

He  paused,  and  then  added:  "Destroy  the 
letter  if  there 's  any  danger.'* 

I  nodded  my  head. 

"  And  destroy  yourself  with  it,  if  that 's  the 
only  way,"  he  went  on  with  a  surly  smile. 
•'  Heaven  knows  why  she  must  send  such  a 
silly  message  at  all,  but  since  she  must  she  *d 
better  have  sent  me  with  it." 


20  RUPERT    OP    HENTZAU. 

I  knew  that  Sapt  was  in  the  way  of  jeering 
at  all  sentiment,  and  I  took  no  notice  of  the 
terms  that  he  applied  to  the  Queen's  farewell. 
I  contented  myself  with  ansv»7ering  the  last 
part  of  what  he  said. 

"No,  it 's  better  you  should  be  here,"  I 
urged.  "  For  if  I  should  lose  the  letter — 
though  there  's  little  chance  of  it — you  could 
prevent  it  coming  to  the  King." 

"I  could  try,"  he  grinned.  "But  on  my 
life,  to  run  the  chance  for  a  letter's  sake !  A 
letter's  a  poor  thing  to  risk  the  peace  of  a 
kingdom  for." 

"Unhappily,"  said  I,  "it's  the  only  thing 
that  a  messenger  can  well  carry." 

"  Off  with  you,  then,"  grumbled  the  Colonel. 
"Tell  Rassendyll  from  me  that  he  did  well. 
But  tell  him  to  do  something  more.  Let  'em 
say  good-bye  and  have  done  v/ith  it.  Good 
God,  is  he  going  to  waste  all  his  life  thinking 
of  a  woman  he  never  sees?"  Sapt's  air  was 
full  of  indignation. 

"What  more  is  he  to  do?"  I  asked.  "Isn't 
his  work  here  done  ?  " 

"Aye,  it's  done.  Perhaps  it's  done,"  he 
answered.  "At  least  he  has  given  us  back 
our  good  King  !  " 

To  lay  on  the  King  the  full  blame  for 
what  he  was  would  have  been  rank  injustice. 
Sapt  was  not  guilty  of  it,  but  his  disappoint- 
ment was  bitter  that  all  our  efforts  had 
secured  no  better  ruler  for  Ruritania.     Sapt 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE.  21 

could  serve,  but  he  K!i:^i  his  master  to  be  a 
man. 

"Aye,  I'm  afraid  the  lad's  work  here 
is  done,"  he  said,  as  I  shook  him  by  the 
hand.  Then  a  sudden  light  came  in  his 
eyes.  "Perhaps  not,"  he  muttered.  "Who 
knows  ?  " 

A  man  need  not,  I  hope,  be  deemed  uxori- 
ous for  liking  a  quiet  dinner  alone  with  his 
wife  before  he  starts  on  a  long  journey.  Such, 
at  least,  was  my  fancy ;  and  I  was  annoyed  to 
find  that  Helga's  cousin,  Anton  von  Strofzin, 
had  invited  himself  to  share  our  meal  and 
our  farewell.  Ke  conversed  with  his  usual 
airy  emptiness  on  all  the  topics  that  were 
supplying  Strelsau  with  gossip.  There  were 
rumours  that  the  King  was  ill,  that  the 
Queen  was  angry  at  being  carried  off  to 
Zenda,  that  the  Archbishop  meant  to  preach 
against  low  dresses,  that  the  Chancellor  was 
to  be  dismissed,  that  his  daughter  was  to  be 
married,  and  so  forth.  I  heard  without  lis- 
tening. But  the  last  bit  of  his  budget  caught 
my  wandering  attention. 

"They  were  betting  at  the  club,"  said 
Anton,  "that  Rupert  of  Hentzau  would  be 
recalled.  Have  you  heard  anything  about  it, 
Fritz  ?  " 

If  I  had  known  anything,  it  is  needless  to 
say  that  I  should  not  have  confided  it  to 
Anton.  But  the  suggested  step  was  so 
utterly  at  variance  with  the  King's  intentions 


22  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

that  I  made  no  difficulty  about  contradicting 
the  report  with  an  authoritative  air.  Anton 
heard  me  with  a  judicial  wrinkle  on  his 
smooth  brow. 

''That's  all  very  well,"  said  he,  "and  I 
daresay  you're  bound  to  say  so.  All  I  know 
is  that  Rischenheim  dropped  a  hint  to  Colonel 
Markel  a  day  or  two  ago." 

"  Rischenheim  believes  what  he  hopes," 
said  I. 

"And  where 's  he  gone?"  cried  Anton  ex- 
ultantly. "Why  has  he  suddenly  left  Strelsau  ? 
I  tell  you  he's  gone  to  meet  Rupert,  and  I'll 
bet  you  what  you  like  he  carries  some  pro- 
posal. Ah,  you  don't  know  everything,  Fritz, 
my  boy!  " 

It  was  indeed  true  that  I  did  not  know 
everything.    I  made  haste  to  admit  as  much. 

"I  didn't  even  know  that  the  Count  was 
gone,  much  less  why  he 's  gone,"  said  I. 

"  You  see ! "  exclaimed  Anton.  And  he 
added  patronisingly :  "You  should  keep  your 
ears  open,  my  boy ;  then  you  might  be  worth 
what  the  King  pays  you." 

"No  less,  I  trust,"  said  I,  "for  he  pays 
me  nothing."  Indeed  at  this  time  I  held  no 
office  save  the  honorary  position  of  Chamber- 
lain to  Her  Majesty.  Any  advice  the  King 
needed  from  me  was  asked  and  given  un- 
officially* 

Anton  went  off,  persuaded  that  he  had 
scored  a  point  against  me.      I  could  not  see 


THE    QUEEN'S    GOOD-BYE.  23 

where.  It  was  possible  that  the  Count  of 
Luzau-Rischenheim  had  gone  to  meet  his 
cousin,  equally  possible  that  no  such  busi- 
ness claimed  his  care.  At  any  rate,  the 
matter  was  not  for  me.  I  had  a  more  press- 
ing affair  in  hand.  Dismissing  the  whole 
thing  from  my  mind,  I  bade  the  butler  tell 
Bauer  to  go  forward  with  my  luggage  and 
to  let  my  carriage  be  at  the  door  in  good 
time.  Helga  had  busied  herself,  since  our 
guest's  departure,  in  preparing  small  comforts 
for  my  journey ;  now  she  came  to  me  to  say 
good-bye.  Although  she  tried  to  hide  all 
signs  of  it,  I  detected  an  uneasiness  in  her 
manner.  She  did  not  like  these  errands  of 
mine,  imagining  dangers  and  risks  of  which 
I  saw  no  likelihood.  I  would  not  give  in  to 
her  mood,  and,  as  I  kissed  her,  I  bade  her 
expect  me  back  in  a  few  days'  time.  Not 
even  to  her  did  I  speak  of  the  new  and  more 
dangerous  burden  that  I  carried,  although  I 
was  aware  that  she  enjoyed  a  full  measure 
of  the  Queen's  confidence. 

*'My  love  to  King  Rudolf,  the  real  King 
Rudolf,"  said  she.  "  Though  you  carry  what 
will  make  him  think  little  of  my  love." 

"  I  have  no  desire  he  should  think  too 
much  of  it,  sweet,"  said  I. 

She  caught  me  by  the  hands,  and  looked  up 
in  my  face. 

"What  a  friend  you  are,  aren't  you,  Fritz  ?" 
said  she.     "You  worship  Mr.  Rassendyll.     I 


24  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

know  you  think  I  should  worship  him  too  if 
he  asked  me.  Well,  I  shouldn't.  I  am  foolish 
enough  to  have  my  own  idol." 

All  my  modesty  did  not  let  me  doubt  who 
her  idol  might  be.  Suddenly  she  drew  near 
to  me  and  whispered  in  my  ear.  I  think  that 
our  own  happiness  brought  to  her  a  sudden 
keen  sympathy  with  her  mistress. 

"  Make  him  send  her  a  loving  message, 
Fritz,"  she  whispered,  "  something  that  will 
comfort  her.  Her  idol  can't  be  with  her  as 
mine  is  with  me." 

"Yes,  he'll  send  something  to  comfort  her," 
I  answered.     "And  God  keep  you,  my  dear." 

For  he  would  surely  send  an  answer  to  the 
letter  that  I  carried,  and  that  answer  I  was 
sworn  to  bring  safely  to  her.  So  I  set  out 
in  good  heart,  bearing  in  the  pocket  of  my 
coat  the  little  box  and  the  Queen's  good-bye. 
And,  as  Colonel  Sapt  said  to  me,  both  I  would 
destroy,  if  need  were — aye,  and  myself  with 
them.  A  man  did  not  serve  Queen  Flavia 
with  divided  mind. 


CHAPTER     II. 
A     STATION     WITHOUT     A     CAB. 

THE  arrangements  for  my  meeting  with 
Mr.  Rassendyll  had  been  carefully 
made  by  correspondence  before  he 
left  England.  He  was  to  be  at  the  Golden 
Lion  Hotel  at  eleven  o'clock  on  the  night 
of  the  15th  of  October.  I  reckoned  to 
arrive  in  the  town  between  eight  and  nine 
on  the  same  evening,  to  proceed  to  another 
hotel,  and,  on  pretence  of  taking  a  stroll, 
slip  out  and  call  on  him  at  the  appointed 
hour.  I  should  then  fulfil  my  commission, 
take  his  answer,  and  enjoy  the  rare  pleasure 
of  a  long  talk  with  him.  Early  the  next 
morning  he  would  have  left  Wintenberg,  and 
I  should  be  on  my  way  back  to  Strelsau.  I 
knew  that  he  would  not  fail  to  keep  his  ap- 
pointment, and  I  was  perfectly  confident  of 
being  able  to  carry  out  the  programme 
punctually ;  I  had,  however,  taken  the  pre- 
caution of  obtaining  a  week's  leave  of  absence, 
in  case  any  unforeseen  accident  should  delay 
my  return.  Conscious  of  having  done  all  I 
could  to  guard  against  misunderstanding  or 
mishap,  I  got  into  the  train  in  a  tolerably 
peaceful  frame  of  mind.  The  box  was  in  my 
inner  pocket,  the  letter  in  a  porte-monnaie. 

25 


I 


26  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

I  could  feel  them  both  with  my  hand.  I  was 
not  in  uniform,  but  I  took  my  revolver. 
Although  I  had  no  reason  to  anticipate 
any  difficulties,  I  did  not  forget  that  what  I 
carried  must  be  protected  at  all  hazards  and 
all  costs. 

The  weary  night  journey  wore  itself  away. 
Bauer  came  to  me  in  the  morning,  performed 
his  small  services,  re-packed  my  handbag, 
procured  me  some  coffee,  and  left  me.  It 
was  then  about  eight  o'clock ;  we  had  arrived 
at  a  station  of  some  importance  and  were 
not  to  stop  again  until  mid- day.  I  saw 
Bauer  enter  the  second-class  compartment 
in  which  he  was  travelling,  and  settled  down 
in  my  own  coupe.  I  think  it  was  at  this 
moment  that  the  thought  of  Rischenheim 
came  again  into  my  head,  and  I  found  my- 
self wondering  why  he  clung  to  the  hopeless 
idea  of  compassing  Rupert's  return,  and  what 
business  had  taken  him  from  Strelsau.  But 
I  made  little  of  the  matter,  and,  drowsy 
from  a  broken  night's  rest,  soon  fell  into  a 
doze.  I  was  alone  in  the  carriage  and  could 
sleep  without  fear  or  danger.  I  was  awakened 
by  our  noontide  halt.  Here  I  saw  Bauer 
again.  After  taking  a  basin  of  soup  I  went 
to  the  telegraph -bureau  to  send  a  message 
to  my  wife :  the  receipt  of  it  would  not 
merely  set  her  mind  at  ease,  but  would  also 
ensure  word  of  my  safe  progress  reaching 
the  Queen.      As  I  entered  the  bureau  I  met 


A    STATION    WITHOUT    A    CAB.  27 

Bauer  coming  out  of  it.  He  seemed  rather 
startled  at  our  encounter,  but  told  me  readily 
enough  that  he  had  been  telegraphing  for 
rooms  at  Wintenberg,  a  very  needless  pre- 
caution, since  there  was  no  danger  of  the 
hotel  being  full.  In  fact  I  was  annoyed,  as 
I  especially  wished  to  avoid  calling  attention 
to  my  arrival.  However  the  mischief  was 
done,  and  to  rebuke  my  servant  might  have 
aggravated  it  by  setting  his  wits  at  work 
to  find  out  my  motive  for  secrecy.  So  I 
said  nothing,  but  passed  by  him  with  a 
nod.  When  the  whole  circumstances  came 
to  light,  I  had  reason  to  suppose  that,  be- 
sides his  message  to  the  innkeeper,  Bauer 
sent  one  of  a  character  and  to  a  quarter 
unsuspected  by  me. 

We  stopped  once  again  before  reaching 
Wintenberg.  I  put  my  head  out  of  the 
window  to  look  about  me  and  saw  Bauer 
standing  near  the  luggage-van.  He  ran  to 
me  eagerly,  asking  whether  I  required  any- 
thing. I  told  him  "  nothing,"  but  instead  of 
going  away  he  began  to  talk  to  me.  Grow- 
ing weary  of  him,  I  returned  to  my  seat 
and  waited  impatiently  for  the  train  to  go 
on.  There  was  a  further  delay  of  five 
minutes,  and  then  we  started. 

*' Thank  goodness!"  I  exclaimed,  leaning 
back  comfortably  in  my  seat  and  taking  a 
cigar  from  my  case. 

But    in    a    moment    the    cigar    rolled    un- 


28  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU 


heeded  on  to  the  floor,  as  I  sprang  eagerly 
to  my  feet  and  darted  to  the  window.  For, 
just  as  we  were  clearing  the  station,  I  saw 
being  carried  past  the  carriage  on  the 
shoulders  of  a  porter  a  bag  which  looked 
very  much  like  mine.  Bauer  had  been  in 
charge  of  my  bag,  and  it  had  been  put  in 
the  van  under  his  directions.  It  seemed 
unlikely  that  it  should  be  taken  out  now  by 
any  mistake.  Yet  the  bag  I  saw  was  very 
like  the  bag  I  owned.  But  I  was  not  sure, 
and  could  have  done  nothing  had  I  been 
sure.  We  were  not  to  stop  again  before 
Wintenberg,  and,  with  my  luggage  or  with- 
out it,  I  myself  must  be  in  the  town  that 
evening. 

We  arrived  punctual  to  our  appointed  time. 
I  sat  in  the  carriage  a  moment  or  two,  ex- 
pecting Bauer  to  open  the  door  and  relieve 
me  of  my  small  baggage.  He  did  not  come, 
so  I  got  out.  It  seemed  that  I  had  few 
fellow-passengers,  and  these  were  quickly 
disappearing  on  foot  or  in  the  carriages  and 
carts  that  waited  outside  the  station.  I 
stood  looking  for  my  servant  and  my 
luggage.  The  evening  was  mild ;  I  was 
encumbered  with  my  handbag  and  a  heavy 
fur  coat.  There  were  no  signs  either  of 
Bauer  or  of  baggage.  I  stayed  where  I 
was  for  five  or  six  minutes.  The  guard  of 
the  train  had  disappeared,  but  presently  I 
observed  the   station-master:    he  seemed  to 


A   STATION    WITHOUT    A    CAB.  29 

be  taking  a  last  glance  round  the  premises. 
Going  up  to  him,  I  asked  whether  he  had 
seen  my  servant ;  he  could  give  me  no 
news  of  him.  I  had  no  luggage -ticket,  for 
mine  had  been  in  Bauer's  hands,  but  I 
prevailed  on  him  to  allow  me  to  look  at 
the  baggage  which  had  arrived  :  my  property 
was  not  among  it.  The  station-master  was 
inclined,  I  think,  to  be  a  little  sceptical  as 
to  the  existence  both  of  bag  and  of  servant. 
His  only  suggestion  was  that  the  man  must 
have  been  left  behind  accidentally.  I  pointed 
out  that  in  this  case  he  would  not  have  had 
the  bag  v/ith  him,  but  that  it  would  have 
come  on  in  the  train.  The  station-master 
admitted  the  force  of  my  argument ;  he 
shrugged  his  shoulders  and  spread  his  hands 
out ;  he  was  evidently  at  the  end  of  his 
resources. 

Now,  for  the  first  time  and  with  sudden 
force,  a  doubt  of  Bauer's  fidelity  thrust  it- 
self into  my  mind.  I  remembered  how 
little  I  knew  o'  the  fellow,  and  how  great 
my  charge  was.  Three  rapid  movements  of 
my  hand  assured  me  that  letter,  box,  and 
revolver  were  in  their  respective  places.  If 
Bauer  had  gone  hunting  in  the  bag,  he  had 
drawn  a  blank.  The  station-master  noticed 
nothing ;  he  was  staring  at  the  dim  gas  lamp 
that  hung  from  the  roof.     I  turned  to  him. 

"  Well,    tell    him    when    he    comes "   I 

began. 


30  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


"He  won't  come  to-night  now,"  inter- 
rupted the  station-master,  none  too  politely. 
"No  other  train  arrives  to-night." 

"Tell  him  when  he  does  come  to  follow 
me  to  the  Wintenbergerhof.  I  'm  going  there 
immediately."  For  time  was  short,  and  I  did 
not  wish  to  keep  Mr.  Rassendyll  waiting. 
Besides,  in  my  new-born  nervousness,  I  was 
anxious  to  accomplish  my  errand  as  soon  as 
might  be.  What  had  become  of  Bauer  ?  The 
thought  returned,  and  now  with  it  another, 
that  seemed  to  connect  itself  in  some  subtle 
way  with  my  present  position :  why  and 
whither  had  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim 
set  out  from  Strelsau  a  day  before  I  started 
on  my  journey  to  Wintenberg  ? 

"If  he  comes  I  '11  tell  him,"  said  the 
station-master,  and  as  he  spoke  he  looked 
round  the  yard. 

There  was  not  a  cab  to  be  seen !  I  knew 
that  the  station  lay  on  the  extreme  outskirts 
of  the  town,  for  I  had  passed  through  Win- 
tenberg on  my  v/edding  journey  nearly  three 
years  before.  The  trouble  involved  in  walk- 
ing, and  the  further  waste  of  time,  put  the 
cap  on   my   irritation. 

"Why  don't  you  have  enough  cabs?" 
I  asked  angrily. 

"There  are  plenty  generally,  sir,"  he 
answered  more  civilly,  with  an  apologetic 
air.  "There  would  be  to-night,  but  for  an 
accident." 


A    STATION    WITHOUT    A    CAB.  3 1 

Another  accident !  This  expedition  of  mine 
seemed  doomed  to  be  the   sport   of  chance. 

"Just  before  your  train  arrived,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  a  local  came  in.  As  a  rule  hardly 
anybody  comes  by  it,  but  to-night  a  number 
of  men — oh,  twenty  or  five-and-twenty,  I 
should  think — got  cut.  I  collected  their 
tickets  myself,  and  they  all  came  from  the 
first  station  on  the  line.  Well,  that  *s  not 
so  strange,  for  there's  a  good  beer-garden 
there.  But,  curiously  enough,  every  one  of 
them  hired  a  separate  cab  and  drove  off, 
laughing  and  shouting  to  one  another  as 
they  went.  That's  how  it  happens  that  there 
were  only  one  or  two  cabs  left  when  your 
train  came  in,  and  they  were  snapped  up  at 
once." 

Taken  alone,  this  occurrence  was  nothing; 
but  I  asked  myself  whether  the  conspiracy 
that  had  robbed  me  of  my  servant  had 
deprived  me   of  a  vehicle   also. 

"What  sort  of  men  were  they?"  I  asked. 

**A11  sorts  of  men,  sir,"  answered  the 
station-master,  "  but  most  of  them  were 
shabby-looking  fellows.  I  wondered  where 
some  of  them  had  got  the  money  for  their 
ride." 

The  vague  feeling  of  uneasiness  which 
had  already  attacked  me  grew  stronger. 
Although  I  fought  against  it,  calling  myself 
an  old  woman  and  a  coward,  I  must  con- 
fess to  an  impulse  which   almost  made    me 


32  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

beg  the  station-master's  company  on  my 
walk;  but,  besides  being  ashamed  to  exhibit 
a  timidity  apparently  groundless,  I  was  re- 
luctant to  draw  attention  to  myself  in  any 
way.  I  would  not  for  the  world  have  it 
supposed  that  I  carried  anything  of  value. 
"Well,  there's  no  help  for  it,"  said  I; 
and,  buttoning  my  heavy  coat  about  me,  I 
took  my  handbag  and  stick  in  one  hand, 
and  asked  my  way  to  the  hotel.  My 
misfortunes  had  broken  down  the  station- 
master's  indifference,  and  he  directed  me  in 
a  sympathetic  tone. 

"Straight  along  the  road,  sir,"  said  he, 
"between  the  poplars  for  hard  on  half  a 
mile;  then  the  houses  begin,  and  your  hotel 
is  in  the  first  square  you  come  to  on  the 
right." 

I  thanked  him  curtly  (for  I  had  not  quite 
forgiven  his  earlier  incivility)  and  started  on 
my  walk,  weighed  down  by  my  big  coat  and 
the  handbag.  When  I  left  the  lighted  station 
yard  I  realised  that  the  evening  had  fallen 
very  dark,  and  the  shade  of  the  tall  lank 
trees  intensified  the  gloom.  I  could  hardly 
see  my  way,  and  went  timidly,  with  frequent 
stumbles  over  the  uneven  stones  of  the  road. 
The  lamps  were  dim,  few,  and  widely  sepa- 
rated ;  so  far  as  company  v/as  concerned,  I 
might  have  been  a  thousand  miles  from  an 
inhabited  house.  In  spite  of  myself  the 
thought  of   danger  persistently    assailed    my 


A    STATION    WITHOUT    A    CAB.  33 

mind.  I  began  to  review  every  circumstance 
of  my  journey,  twisting  the  trivial  into  some 
ominous  shape,  magnifying  the  significance  of 
everything  which  might  justly  seem  sus- 
picious, studying  in  the  light  of  my  new 
apprehensions  every  expression  of  Bauer's 
face  and  every  word  that  had  fallen  from 
his  lips.  I  could  not  persuade  myself  into 
security.  I  carried  the  Queen's  letter,  and 
— well,  I  would  have  given  much  to  have 
old   Sapt  or  Rudolf  Rassendyll  by  my  side. 

Now  when  a  man  suspects  danger,  let  him 
not  spend  his  time  in  asking  whether  there 
be  really  danger,  or  in  upbraiding  himself  for 
timidity,  but  let  him  face  his  cowardice  and 
act  as  though  the  danger  were  real.  If  I 
had  followed  that  rule,  and  kept  my  eyes 
about  me,  scanning  the  sides  of  the  road 
and  the  ground  in  front  of  my  feet,  instead 
of  losing  myself  in  a  maze  of  reflection,  I 
might  have  had  time  to  avoid  the  trap,  or  at 
least  to  get  my  hand  to  my  revolver  and 
make  a  fight  for  it,  or  indeed,  in  the  last 
resort,  to  destroy  what  I  carried  before  harm 
came  to  it.  But  my  mind  was  pre-occupied, 
and  the  whole  thing  seemed  to  happen  in  a 
minute.  At  the  very  moment  that  I  had 
declared  to  myself  the  vanity  of  my  fears 
and  determined  to  be  resolute  in  banishing 
them,  I  heard  voices — a  low  strained  whis- 
pering; I  saw  two  or  three  figures  in  the 
shadow  of  th«  )9oplars  by  the  wayside.     An 


34  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

instant  later,  a  dart  was  made  at  me. 
While  I  could  fly  I  would  not  fight ;  with 
a  sudden  forward  plunge  I  eluded  the  men 
who  rushed  at  me,  and  started  at  a  run 
towards  the  lights  of  the  town  and  the 
shapes  of  the  houses,  now  distant  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile.  Perhaps  I  ran  twenty 
yards,  perhaps  fifty ;  I  do  not  know.  I  heard 
the  steps  behind  me,  quick  as  my  own. 
Then  I  fell  headlong  on  the  road — tripped 
up!  I  understood.  They  had  stretched  a 
rope  across  my  path ;  as  I  fell  a  man 
bounded  up  from  either  side,  and  I  found 
the  rope  slack  under  my  body.  There  I 
lay  on  my  face;  a  man  knelt  on  me,  others 
held  either  hand;  my  face  was  pressed  into 
the  mud  of  the  road,  and  I  was  like  to  be 
stifled;  my  handbag  had  whizzed  away  from 
me.    Then  a  voice  said: 

"Turn  him  over." 

I  knew  the  voice;  it  was  a  confirmation 
of  the  fears  which  I  had  lately  been  at  such 
pains  to  banish.  It  justified  the  forecast  of 
Anton  von  Strofzin,  and  explained  the  hint 
of  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim.  For 
it  was   Rischenheim's  voice. 

They  caught  hold  of  me  and  began  to 
turn  me  on  my  back.  Here  I  saw  a  chance, 
and  with  a  great  heave  of  my  body  I  flung 
them  from  me.  For  a  short  instant  I  was 
free ;  my  impetuous  attack  seemed  to  have 
startled  the    enemy;    I    gathered    myself  up 


A    STATION    WITHOUT   A    CAB.  35 

on  my  knees.  But  my  advantage  was  not 
to  last  long.  Another  man,  whom  I  had  not 
seen,  sprang  suddenly  on  me,  like  a  bullet 
from  a  catapult.  His  fierce  onset  overthrew 
me,  I  was  stretched  on  the  ground  again,  on 
my  back  now,  and  my  throat  was  clutched 
viciously  in  strong  fingers.  At  the  same 
moment  my  arms  were  again  seized  and 
pinned.  The  face  of  the  man  on  my  chest 
bent  down  towards  mine;  and  through  the 
darkness  I  discerned  the  features  of  Rupert 
of  Hentzau.  He  was  panting  from  his  sud- 
den exertion  and  the  intense  force  with 
which  he  held  me,  but  he  was  smiling  also, 
and  when  he  saw  by  my  eyes  that  I  knew 
him,  he  laughed  softly  in  triumph. 

Then  came  Rischenheim's  voice  again. 

"Where's  the  bag  he  carried?  It  may  be 
in  the  bag." 

"You  fool,  he'll  have  it  about  him,"  said 
Rupert  scornfully.  "  Hold  him  fast  while  I 
search." 

On  either  side  my  hands  were  still  pinned 
fast.  Rupert's  left  hand  did  not  leave  my 
throat,  but  his  free  right  hand  began  to  dart 
about  me,  feeling,  probing,  and  rummaging. 
I  lay  quite  helpless  and  in  the  bitterness  of 
great  consternation.  Rupert  found  my  re- 
volver, drew  it  out  with  a  gibe,  and  handed 
it  to  Rischenheim,  who  was  now  standing 
beside  him.  Then  he  felt  the  box,  he  drew 
it  out,   his   eyes  sparkled.     He  set  his  knee 


36  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

hard  on  my  chest,  so  that  I  could  scarcely 
breathe;  then  he  ventured  to  loose  my 
throat,  and  tore  the  box  open  eagerly. 

"Bring  a  light  here,"  he  cried.  Another 
ruffian  came  with  a  dark  lantern,  whose 
glow  he  turned  on  the  box.  Rupert  opened 
it,  and  when  he  saw  what  was  inside  he 
laughed  again,  and  stowed  it  away  in  his 
pocket. 

"  Quick,  quick  !  "  urged  Rischenheim. 
"We've  got  what  we  wanted,  and  somebody 
may  come  at  any  moment." 

A  brief  hope  comforted  me.  The  loss  of 
the  box  was  a  calamity,  but  I  would  pardon 
fortune  if  only  the  letter  escaped  capture. 
Rupert  might  have  suspected  that  I  carried 
some  such  token  as  the  box  held,  but  he 
could  not  know  of  the  letter.  Would  he 
listen  to  Rischenheim  ?  No.  The  Count  of 
Hentzau  did  things  thoroughly. 

"We  may  as  well  overhaul  him  a  bit 
more,"  said  he,  and  resumed  his  search. 
My  hope  vanished,  for  now  he  was  bound 
to  come  upon  the  letter. 

Another  instant  brought  him  to  it.  He 
snatched  the  porte-monnaie,  and,  motioning 
impatiently  to  the  man  to  hold  the  lantern 
nearer,  began  to  examine  the  contents.  I 
remember  well  the  look  of  his  face  as  the 
fierce  white  light  threw  it  up  against  the 
darkness  in  its  clear  pallor  and  high-bred 
comeliness,  with  its  curling  lips  and  scornful 


My  chance  had  come. 


A    STATION    WITHOUT    A    CAB.  37 

eyes.  He  had  the  letter  now ;  and  a  gleam 
of  joy  danced  in  his  eyes  as  he  tore  it  open. 
A  hasty  glance  showed  him  what  his  prize 
was  ;  then  coolly  and  deliberately  he  settled 
himself  to  read,  regarding  neither  Rischen- 
heim's  nervous  hurry  nor  my  desperate 
angry  glance  that  glared  up  at  him.  He 
read  leisurely,  as  though  he  had  been  in  an 
armchair  in  his  own  house ;  the  lips  smiled 
and  curled  as  he  read  the  last  words  that 
the  Queen  had  written  to  her  lover.  He 
had  indeed  come  on  more  than  he  thought. 

Rischenheim  laid  a  hand  on  his  shoulder. 

**  Quick,  Rupert,  quick  I "  he  urged  again, 
in  a  voice  full  of  agitation. 

"  Let  me  alone,  man.  I  haven't  read 
anything  so  amusing  for  a  long  while,'* 
answered  Rupert.  Then  he  burst  into  a 
laugh,  crying,  "  Look,  look  ! "  and  pointing 
to  the  foot  of  the  last  page  of  the  letter. 
I  was  mad  with  anger  ;  my  fury  gave  me 
new  strength.  In  his  enjoyment  of  what 
he  read  Rupert  had  grown  careless  ;  his 
knee  pressed  more  lightly  on  me,  and  as  he 
showed  Rischenheim  the  passage  in  the 
letter  that  caused  him  so  much  amusement, 
he  turned  his  head  away  for  an  instant. 
My  chance  had  come.  With  a  sudden  move- 
ment I  displaced  him,  and  with  a  desperate 
wrench  I  freed  my  right  hand.  Darting  it 
out,  I  snatched  at  the  letter.  Rupert, 
alarmed  for  his  treasure,  sprang  back  and  off 


38  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

me.  I  also  sprang  up  on  my  feet,  hurling 
away  the  fellow  who  had  gripped  my  other 
hand.  For  a  moment  I  stood  facing  Rupert ; 
then  I  darted  on  him.  He  v/as  too  quick 
for  me  :  he  dodged  behind  the  man  with 
the  lantern  and  hurled  the  fellow  forward 
against  me.    The  lantern  fell  on  the  ground. 

**  Give  me  your  stick,"  I  heard  Rupert 
say.     "  Where  is  it  ?    That's  right  !  " 

Then  came  Rischenheim's  voice  again,  im- 
ploring and  timid  : 

"  Rupert,  you  promised  not  to  kill  him !  " 

The  only  answer  was  a  short  fierce  laugh. 
I  hurled  away  the  man  who  had  been 
thrust  into  my  arms,  and  sprang  forward. 
I  saw  Rupert  of  Hentzau :  his  hand  was 
raised  above  his  head  and  held  a  stout  club. 
I  hardly  know  what  followed :  there  came — 
all  in  a  confused  blur  of  instant  sequence — 
an  oath  from  Rupert,  a  rush  from  me,  a 
scuffle  as  though  someone  sought  to  hold 
him  back  ;  then  he  was  on  me ;  I  felt  a 
great  thud  on  my  forehead,  and  I  felt  nothing 
more.  Again  I  was  on  my  back,  with  a 
terrible  pain  in  my  head  and  a  dull  dreamy 
consciousness  of  a  knot  of  men  standing 
over  me,  talking  eagerly  to  one  another. 

I  could  not  hear  what  they  were  saying ; 
I  had  no  great  desire  to  hear.  I  fancied, 
somehow,  that  they  were  talking  about  me  ; 
they  looked  at  me  and  moved  their  hands 
towards  me  now  and  again.    I  heard  Rupert's 


A    STATION    WITHOUT    A    CAB.  39 

laugh,  and  saw  his  club  poised  over  me ; 
then  Rischenheim  caught  him  by  the  wrist. 
I  know  now  that  Rischenheim  was  reminding 
his  cousin  that  he  had  promised  not  to  kill 
me,  that  Rupert's  oath  did  not  weigh  a  straw 
in  the  scales,  but  that  he  was  held  back 
only  by  a  doubt  whether  I  alive  or  my  dead 
body  would  be  the  more  inconvenient  to 
dispose  of.  Yet  then  I  did  not  understand, 
but  lay  there  listless.  And  presently  the 
talking  forms  seemed  to  cease  their  talking; 
they  grew  blurred  and  dim,  running  into 
one  another,  and  all  mingling  together  to 
form  one  great  shapeless  creature  that  seemed 
to  murmur  and  gibber  over  me,  some  such 
monster  as  a  man  sees  in  his  dreams.  I 
hated  to  see  it,  and  closed  my  eyes ;  its 
murmurings  and  gibberings  haunted  my  ears 
for  awhile,  making  me  restless  and  unhappy ; 
then  they  died  av/ay.  Their  going  made  me 
happy ;  I  sighed  in  contentment ;  and  every- 
thing became  as  though  it  were  not. 

Yet  I  had  one  more  vision,  breaking 
suddenly  across  my  unconsciousness.  A  bold 
rich  voice  rang  out,  "  By  God,  I  will  ! " 
*'No,  no!"  cried  another.  Then  "What's 
that  ?  *  There  was  a  rush  of  feet,  the 
cries  of  men  who  met  in  anger  or  excite- 
ment, the  crack  of  a  shot  and  of  another 
quickly  following,  oaths  and  scuffling.  Then 
came  the  sound  of  feet  flying.  I  could  not 
make  it  out ;   I  grew  weary  with  the  puzzle 


40  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

of  it.  Would  they  not  be  quiet  ?  Quiet  was 
what  I  wanted.  At  last  they  grew  quiet ; 
I  closed  my  eyes  again.  The  pain  was  less 
now ;    they  were  quiet ;    I  could  sleep. 

When  a  man  looks  back  on  the  past, 
reviewing  in  his  mind  the  chances  Fortune 
ha-s  given  and  the  calls  she  has  made,  he 
always  torments  himself  by  thinking  that 
he  could  have  done  other  and  better  than 
in  fact  he  did.  Even  now  I  lie  awake  at 
night  sometimes,  making  clever  plans  by 
which  I  could  have  thwarted  Rupert's 
schemes.  In  these  musings  I  am  very  acute  ; 
Anton  von  Strofzin's  idle  talk  furnishes  me 
with  many  a  clue,  and  I  draw  inferences 
sure  and  swift  as  a  detective  in  the  story- 
books. Bauer  is  my  tool,  I  am  not  his.  I 
lay  Rischenheim  by  the  heels,  send  Rupert 
off  howling  with  a  ball  in  his  arm,  and  carry 
my  precious  burden  in  triumph  to  Mr.  Rassen- 
dyll.  By  the  time  I  have  played  the  whole 
game  I  am  indeed  proud  of  myself.  Yet  in 
truth — in  daylight  truth — I  fear  that,  unless 
Heaven  sent  me  a  fresh  set  of  brains,  I  should 
be  caught  in  much  the  same  way  again. 
Though  not  by  that  fellow  Bauer,  I  swear  ! 
Well,  there  it  was  !  They  had  made  a  fool 
of  me.  I  lay  on  the  road  with  a  bloody  head, 
and  Rupert  of  Hentzau  had  the  Queen's  letter. 


CHAPTER      III. 

AGAIN    TO   ZENDA. 

BY  Heaven's  care,  or— since  a  man  may 
be  over-apt  to  arrogate  to  himself  a 
great  share  of  such  attention — by  good 
luck,  I  had  not  to  trust  for  my  life  to  the 
slender  thread  of  an  oath  sworn  by  Rupert 
of  Hentzau.  The  visions  of  my  dazed  brain 
were  transmutations  of  reality;  the  scuffle, 
the  rush,  the  retreat  were  not  all  dream. 

There  is  an  honest  fellow  now  living  at 
Wintenberg  comfortably  and  at  his  ease, 
by  reason  that  his  waggon  chanced  to  come 
lumbering  along  with  three  or  four  stout 
lads  in  it,  at  the  moment  when  Rupert  was 
meditating  a  second  and  murderous  blow. 
Seeing  the  group  of  us,  the  good  carrier 
and  his  boys  leapt  down  and  rushed  on  my 
assailants*  One  of  the  thieves,  they  said, 
was  for  fighting  it  out — I  could  guess  who 
that  was — and  called  on  the  rest  to  stand  ; 
but  they,  more  prudent,  laid  hands  on  him, 
and  in  spite  of  his  oaths  hustled  him  off 
along  the  road  towards  the  station.  Open 
country  lay  there,  and  the  promise  of  safety. 
My  new  friends  set  off  in  pursuit,  but  a 
couple  of  revolver-shots,  heard  by  me  but 
41 


I 


42  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

not  understood,  awoke  their  caution.  Good 
Samaritans  but  not  men  of  war,  they 
returned  to  where  I  lay  senseless  on  the 
ground,  congratulating  themselves  and  me 
that  an  enemy  so  well  armed  should  run 
and  not  stand  his  ground.  They  forced  a 
drink  of  rough  wine  down  my  throat,  and 
in  a  minute  or  two  I  opened  my  eyes.  They 
were  for  carrying  me  to  a  hospital.  I  would 
have  none  of  it.  As  soon  as  things  grew 
clear  to  me  again  and  I  knew  where  I  was, 
I  did  nothing  but  repeat  in  urgent  tones : 
"  The  Golden  Lion,  the  Golden  Lion  ! 
Twenty  crowns  to  carry  me  to  the  Golden 
Lion  ! " 

Perceiving  that  I  knew  my  own  business 
and  where  I  wished  to  go,  one  picked  up 
my  handbag  and  the  rest  hoisted  me  into 
their  waggon  and  set  out  for  the  hotel  where 
Rudolf  Rassendyll  was.  The  one  thought 
my  broken  head  held  was  to  get  to  him  as 
soon  as  might  be,  and  tell  him  how  I  had 
been  fool  enough  to  let  myself  be  robbed  of 
the  Queen's  letter. 

He  was  there.  He  stood  on  the  threshold 
of  the  inn,  waiting  for  me,  as  it  seemed, 
although  it  was  not  yet  the  hour  of  my 
appointment.  As  they  drew  me  up  to  the 
door  I  saw  his  tall  straight  figure  and  his 
red  hair  by  the  light  of  the  hall  lamps.  By 
heaven,  I  felt  as  a  lost  child  must  on  sight 
of  his  mother  !      I   stretched   out   my  hand 


AGAIN    TO    ZENDA.  43 


I 


to  him  over  the  side  of  the  waggon,  mur- 
muring, "I've  lost  it." 

He  started  at  the  words,  and  sprang 
forward  to  me.  Then  he  turned  quickly  to 
the  carrier. 

"  This  gentleman  is  my  friend,"  he  said. 
"  Give  him  to  me.     I  *11  speak  to  you  later." 

He  waited  while  I  was  lifted  down  from 
the  waggon  into  the  arms  that  he  held  ready 
for  me,  and  himself  carried  me  across  the 
threshold.  I  was  quite  clear  in  the  head 
by  now,  and  understood  all  that  passed. 
There  were  one  or  two  people  in  the  hall, 
but  Mr.  Rassendyll  took  no  heed  of  them. 
He  bore  me  quickly  upstairs  and  into  his 
sitting-room.  There  he  set  me  down  in  an 
armchair  and  stood  opposite  to  me.  He 
was  smiling,  but  anxiety  was  awake  in  his 
eyes. 

"  I  've  lost  it,"  I  said  again,  looking  up 
at  him  pitifully   enough. 

"  That 's  all  right,"  said  he,  nodding.  "  Will 
you  wait,  or  can  you  tell  me  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;    but  give  me  some  brandy,"  said  I. 

Rudolf  gave  me  a  little  brandy  mixed  in 
a  great  deal  of  water,  and  then  I  made 
shift  to  tell  him.  Though  faint,  I  was  not 
confused,  and  I  gave  my  story  in  brief, 
hurried,  yet  sufficient  words.  He  made  no 
sign  till  I  mentioned  the  letter.  Then  his 
face  changed. 

"  A    letter    too  ? "    he    exclaimed,     in     a 


44  RUPERT   OF   HENTZAU. 

Strange  mixture  of  increased  apprehension 
and  unlooked-for  joy. 

**  Yes,  a  letter  too  :  she  wrote  a  letter,  and 
I  carried  that  as  well  as  the  box.  I  've  lost 
them  both,  Rudolf.  God  help  me,  I've  lost 
them  both !     Rupert  has  the  letter  too." 

I  think  I  must  have  been  weak  and  un- 
manned from  the  blow  I  had  received,  for 
my  composure  broke  down  here.  Rudolf 
stepped  up  to  me  and  wrung  me  by  the 
hand.  I  mastered  myself  again  and  looked 
in  his  face,  as  he  stood  in  thought,  his 
hand  caressing  the  strong  curve  of  his 
clean-shaven  chin.  Now  that  I  was  with 
him  again  it  seemed  as  though  I  had  never 
lost  him,  as  though  we  were  still  together 
in  Strelsau  or  at  Tarlenheim,  planning  how 
to  hoodwink  Black  Michael,  send  Rupert  of 
Hentzau  to  his  own  place,  and  bring  the 
King  back  to  his  throne.  For  Mr.  Rassendyll, 
as  he  stood  before  me  now,  was  changed 
in  nothing  since  our  last  meeting,  nor 
indeed  since  he  reigned  in  Strelsau,  save 
that  a  few  flecks  of  grey  spotted   his  hair. 

My  battered  head  ached  most  consumedly. 
Mr.  Rassendyll  rang  the  bell  twice,  and  a 
short  thickset  man  of  middle  age  appeared ; 
he  wore  a  suit  of  tweed  and  had  the  air 
of  smartness  and  respectability  which  marks 
English  servants. 

"James,"  said  Rudolf,  "this  gentleman 
has  hurt  his  head.      Look  after  it." 


AGAIN    TO    ZENDA.  45 

James  went  out.  In  a  few  minutes  he 
was  back,  with  water,  basin,  towels,  and 
bandages.  Bending  over  me,  he  began  to 
wash  and  tend  my  wound  very  deftly. 
Rudolf  was  walking  up   and   down. 

"  Done  the  head,  James  ?  "  he  asked,  after 
a  few  moments. 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  the  servant,  gather- 
ing together  his  appliances. 

**  Telegraph  forms,  then." 

James  went  out,  and  was  back  with  the 
forms  in  an  instant. 

"Be  ready  when  I  ring,"  said  Rudolf. 
And  he  added,  turning  to  me,  "Any  easier, 
Fritz  ?" 

"I  can  listen  to  you  now,"  I  said. 

"  I  see  their  game,"  said  he.  "  One  or 
other  of  them — Rupert  or  this  Rischenheim 
— will  try  to  get  to  the  King  with  the  letter." 

I  sprang  to  my  feet. 

"  They  mustn't  ! "  I  cried  ;  and  I  reeled 
back  into  my  chair,  with  a  feeling  as  if 
a  red-hot  poker  were  being  run  through  my 
head. 

^"  Much  you  can  do  to  stop  'em,  old 
fellow,"  smiled  Rudolf,  pausing  to  press  my 
hand  as  he  went  by.  "  They  won't  trust 
the  post,  you  know.  One  will  go.  Now 
which  ? "  He  stood  facing  me  with  a 
thoughtful  frown   on  his  face. 

I  did  not  know,  but  I  thought  that  Rischen- 
heim   would   go.     It    was    a    great    risk    for 


46  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Rupert  to  trust  himself  in  the  kingdom,  and 
he  knew  that  the  King  would  not  easily  be 
persuaded  to  receive  him,  however  startling 
might  be  the  business  he  professed  as  his 
errand.  On  the  other  hand,  nothing  was 
known  against  Rischenheim,  while  his  rank 
would  secure  and  indeed  entitle  him  to  an 
early  audience.  Therefore  I  concluded  that 
Rischenheim  would  go  with  the  letter,  or,  if 
Rupert  would  not  let  that  out  of  his  posses- 
sion, with  the  news  of  the  letter. 

"Or  a  copy,"  suggested  Rudolf.  "Well, 
Rischenheim  or  Rupert  will  be  on  his  way 
by  to-morrow  morning,  or  is  on  his  way 
to-night." 

Again  I  tried  to  rise,  for  I  was  on  fire 
to  prevent  the  fatal  consequences  of  my 
stupidity.  Rudolf  thrust  me  back  in  my 
chair,  saying,  "No,  no."  Then  he  sat  down 
at  the  table  and  took  up  the  telegraph  forms. 

"You  and  Sapt  arranged  a  cipher,  I  sup- 
pose ? "  he  asked. 

"Yes.  You  write  the  message  and  I'll  put 
it  into  the  cipher." 

"  This  is  what  I  'vc  written  :  *  Document 
lost.  Let  nobody  see  him  if  possible.  Wire 
who  asks.*  I  don't  like  to  make  it  plainer : 
most  ciphers  can  be  read,  you  know." 

"Not  ours,"  said  I. 

"  Well,  but  will  that  do  ? "  asked  Rudolf 
with  an  unconvinced  smile. 

"Yes,  I  think  he'll  understand  it."     And  I 


AGAIN    TO    ZENDA.  47 

wrote  it  again  in  the  cipher ;  it  was  as  much 
as  I  could  do  to  hold  the  pen. 

The  bell  was  rung  again,  and  James 
appeared  in  an  instant. 

"Send  this,"  said  Rudolf. 

"The  offices  will  be  shut,  sir." 

"James,  James  ! " 

"  Very  good,  sir ;  but  it  may  take  an  hour 
to  get  one  open." 

"I'll  give  you  half  an  hour.  Have  you 
money  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"And  now,"  added  Rudolf,  turning  to  mc, 
"you'd  better  go  to  bed." 

I  do  not  recollect  what  I  answered,  for 
my  faintness  came  upon  me  again,  and  I 
remember  only  that  Rudolf  himself  helped 
me  into  his  own  bed.  I  slept,  but  I  do  not 
think  he  so  much  as  lay  down  on  the  sofa ; 
chancing  to  awake  once  or  twice,  I  heard  him 
pacing  about.  But  towards  morning  I  slept 
heavily,  and  I  did  not  know  what  he  was 
doing  then. 

At  eight  o'clock  James  entered  and  roused 
me.  He  said  that  a  doctor  was  to  be  at  the 
hotel  in  half  an  hour,  but  that  Mr.  Rassendyll 
would  like  to  see  me  for  a  few  minutes  if  I 
felt  equal  to  business.  I  begged  James  to 
summon  his  master  at  once.  Whether  I 
were  equal  or  unequal,  the  business  had  to 
be  done. 

Rudolf  came,    calm    and    serene.      Danger 


48  RUPERT   OF    HENTZAU. 

and  the  need  for  exertion  acted  on  him  like  a 
draught  of  good  wine  on  a  seasoned  drinker. 
He  was  not  only  himself,  but  more  than  him- 
self, his  excellencies  enhanced,  the  indolence 
that  marred  him  in  quiet  hours  sloughed  off. 
But  to-day  there  was  something  more ;  I  can 
describe  it  only  as  a  kind  of  radiance.  I  have 
seen  it  on  the  faces  of  young  sparks  when 
the  lady  they  love  comes  through  the  ball- 
room door,  and  I  have  seen  it  glow  more 
softly  in  a  girl's  eyes  when  some  fellow,  who 
seemed  to  me  nothing  out  of  the  ordinary, 
asked  her  for  a  dance.  That  strange  gleam 
was  on  Rudolf's  face  as  he  stood  by  my 
bedside.  I  daresay  it  used  to  be  on  mine 
when  I  went  courting. 

**  Fritz,  old  friend,"  said  he,  "  there 's  an 
answer  from  Sapt.  I'll  lay  the  telegraph 
offices  were  stirred  at  Zcnda  as  well  as 
James  stirred  them  here  in  Wintenberg. 
And  what  do  you  think  ?  Rischenheim  asked 
for  an  audience  before  he  left  Strelsau." 

I  raised  myself  on  my  elbow  in  the  bed. 

"You  understand?"  he  went  on.  "He 
left  on  Monday.  To-day's  Wednesday.  The 
King  has  granted  him  an  audience  at  four 
on  Friday.    Well,  then " 

"  They  counted  on  success,"  I  cried,  "  and 
Rischenheim  takes  the  letter  !  " 

**A  copy,  if  I  know  Rupert  of  Hentzau. 
Yes,  it  was  well  laid.  I  like  the  men  taking  all 
the  cabs.    How  much  ahead  had  they  now?" 


AGAIN    TO    ZENDA.  49 

I  did  not  know  that,  though  I  had  no  more 
doubt  than  he  that  Rupert's  hand  was  in  the 
business. 

"Well,"  he  continued,  "I  am  going  to  wire 
to  Sapt  to  put  Rischenheim  off  for  twelve 
hours  if  he  can — failing  that,  to  get  the  King 
away  from  Zenda." 

"  But  Rischenheim  must  have  his  audience 
sooner  or  later,"  I  objected. 

"Sooner  or  later  —  there's  the  world's 
difference  between  them  !  "  cried  Rudolf 
Rassendyll.  He  sat  down  on  the  bed  by 
me,  and  went  on  in  quick  decisive  words : 
"You  can't  move  for  a  day  or  two.  Send 
my  message  to  Sapt.  Tell  him  to  keep  you 
informed  of  what  happens.  As  soon  as  you 
can  travel,  go  to  Strelsau,  and  let  Sapt  know 
directly  you  arrive.  We  shall  want  your 
help." 

"And  what  are  you  going  to  do  ?  "  I  cried, 
staring  at  him. 

He  looked  at  me  for  a  moment,  and  his  face 
was  crossed  by  conflicting  feelings.  I  saw 
resolve  there,  obstinacy,  and  the  scorn  of 
danger ;  fun,  too,  and  merriment ;  and,  lastly, 
that  same  radiance  I  spoke  of.  He  had  been 
smoking  a  cigarette ;  now  he  threw  the  end 
of  it  into  the  grate  and  rose  from  the  bed 
where  he  had  been  sitting. 

"  I  'm  going  to  Zenda,"  said  he. 

"To  Zenda?"  I  cried,  amazed. 

"Yes,"  said  Rudolf,   "I'm  going  again  to 


50  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Zenda,  Fritz,  old  fellow.  By  Jove,  I  knew 
it  would  come,  and  now  it  has  come ! " 

"But  to  do  what?" 

"I  shall  overtake  Rischenheim,  or  be  hot 
on  his  heels.  If  he  gets  there  first,  Sapt  will 
keep  him  waiting  till  I  come ;  and  if  I  come, 
he  shall  never  see  the  King.    Yes,  if  I  come 

in  time "     He  broke  into  a  sudden  laugh. 

"What?"  he  cried.  "Have  I  lost  my  like- 
ness ?  Can't  I  still  play  the  King  ?  Yes,  if 
I  come  in  time,  Rischenheim  shall  have  his 
audience  of  the  King  at  Zenda,  and  the  King 
will  be  very  gracious  to  him,  and  the  King 
will  take  his  copy  of  the  letter  from  him. 
Oh,  Rischenheim  shall  have  an  audience  of 
King  Rudolf  in  the  castle  of  Zenda,  never 
fear!" 

He  stood,  looking  to  see  how  I  received 
his  plan ;  but,  amazed  at  the  boldness  of  it, 
I  could  only  lie  back  and  gasp. 

Rudolf's  excitement  left  him  as  suddenly  as 
it  had  come ;  he  was  again  the  cool,  shrewd, 
nonchalant  Englishman,  as,  lighting  another 
cigarette,  he  proceeded : 

"You  see,  there  are  two  of  them — Rupert 
and  Rischenheim.  Now  you  can't  move  for 
a  day  or  two,  that 's  certain.  But  there  must 
be  two  of  us  there  in  Ruritania.  Rischenheim 
is  to  try  first ;  but,  if  he  fails,  Rupert  will 
risk  everything  and  break  through  to  the 
King's  presence.  Give  him  five  minutes  with 
the    King,    and   the    mischief's   done.      Very 


AGAIN    TO    ZENDA.  51 

well,  then  :  Sapt  must  keep  Rupert  at  bay, 
while  I  tackle  Rischenheim.  As  soon  as  you 
can  move,  go  to  Strelsau  and  let  Sapt  know 
where  you  are." 

"  But  if  you're  seen— if  you're  found  out  ?  " 

"Better  I  than  the  Queen's  letter,"  said 
he.  Then  he  laid  his  hand  on  my  arm  and 
said  quite  quietly :  "If  the  letter  gets  to  the 
King,  I  and  I  only  can  do  what  must  be 
done." 

I  did  not  know  what  he  meant :  perhaps 
it  was  that  he  would  carry  off  the  Queen 
sooner  than  leave  her  alone  after  her  letter 
was  known  ;  but  there  was  another  possible 
meaning  that  I,  a  loyal  subject,  dared  not 
inquire  into.  Yet  I  made  no  answer,  for  I 
was  above  all  and  first  of  all  the  Queen's 
servant.  Still  I  cannot  believe  that  he  meant 
harm  to  the  King. 

"Come,  Fritz,"  he  cried,  "don't  look  so 
glum.  This  is  not  so  great  an  affair  as  the 
other,  and  we  brought  that  through  safe." 
I  suppose  I  still  looked  doubtful,  for  he 
added,  with  a  sort  of  impatience:  "Well, 
I  'm  going,  anyhow.  Heavens,  man,  am  I 
to  sit  here  while  that  letter  is  carried  to  the 
King?" 

I  understood  his  feeling,  and  knew  that  he 
held  life  a  light  thing  compared  with  the 
recovery  of  Queen  Flavia's  letter.  I  ceased 
to  urge  him.  When  I  assented  to  his  wishes, 
every   shadow   vanished   from    his    face,   and 


52  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

we  began  to  discuss  the  details  of  the  plan 
with  businesslike  brevity. 

"  I  shall  leave  James  with  you,"  said 
Rudolf.  "He'll  be  very  useful,  and  you  can 
rely  on  him  absolutely.  Any  message  that 
you  dare  trust  to  no  other  conveyance,  give 
to  him;  he'll  carry  it.  He  can  shoot  too." 
He  rose  as  he  spoke.  "I'll  look  in  before 
I  start,"  he  added,  "  and  hear  what  the 
doctor  says  about  you." 

I  lay  there,  thinking,  as  men  sick  and  weary 
in  body  will,  of  the  dangers  and  the  desperate 
nature  of  the  risk,  rather  than  of  the  hope 
which  its  boldness  would  have  inspired  in  a 
healthy  active  brain.  I  distrusted  the  rapid 
inference  that  Rudolf  had  drawn  from  Sapt's 
telegram,  telling  myself  that  it  was  based  on 
too  slender  a  foundation.  Well,  there  I  was 
wrong,  and  I  am  glad  now  to  pay  that 
tribute  to  his  discernment.  The  first  steps 
of  Rupert's  scheme  were  laid  as  Rudolf  had 
conjectured :  Rischenheim  had  started,  even 
while  I  lay  there,  for  Zenda,  carrying  on  his 
person  a  copy  of  the  Queen's  farewell  letter 
and  armed  for  his  enterprise  by  his  right  of 
audience  with  the  King.  So  far  we  were 
right,  then ;  for  the  rest  we  were  in  dark- 
ness, not  knowing  or  being  able  even  to 
guess  where  Rupert  would  choose  to  await 
the  result  of  the  first  cast,  or  what  precautions 
he  had  taken  against  the  failure  of  his  envoy. 
But    although    in    total    obscurity   as    to    his 


AGAIN    TO    ZENt)A.  53 

future  plans,  I  traced  his  past  actions,  and 
subsequent  knowledge  has  shown  that  I  was 
right.  Bauer  was  his  tool ;  a  couple  of  florins 
apiece  had  hired  the  fellows  who,  conceiving 
that  they  were  playing  a  part  in  some  practical 
joke,  had  taken  all  the  cabs  at  the  station. 
Rupert  had  reckoned  that  I  should  linger 
looking  for  my  servant  and  luggage,  and  thus 
miss  my  last  chance  of  a  vehicle.  If,  how- 
ever, I  had  obtained  one,  the  attack  would 
still  have  been  made,  although  of  course 
under  much  greater  difficulties.  Finally, — 
and  of  this  at  the  time  I  knew  nothing, — had 
I  evaded  them  and  got  safe  to  port  with  my 
cargo,  the  plot  would  have  been  changed. 
Rupert's  attention  would  then  have  been 
diverted  from  me  to  Rudolf ;  counting  on 
love  overcoming  prudence,  he  reckoned  that 
Mr.  Rassendyll  would  not  at  once  destroy 
what  the  Queen  sent,  and  had  arranged  to 
track  his  steps  from  Wintenberg  till  an 
opportunity  offered  of  robbing  him  of  his 
treasure.  The  full  scheme,  as  I  know  it, 
was  full  of  audacious  cunning  and  required 
large  resources ;  the  former  Rupert  himself 
supplied,  for  the  second  he  was  indebted  to 
his  cousin  and  slave,  the  Coimt  of  Luzau- 
Rischenheim. 

My  meditations  were  interrupted  by  the 
arrival  of  the  doctor.  He  hummed  and  ha'd 
over  me,  but,  to  my  surprise,  asked  me  no 
questions  as  to  the  cause  of  my  misfortune, 


54  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAO. 

and  did  not,  as  I  had  feared,  suggest  that  his 
efforts  should  be  seconded  by  those  of  the 
police.  On  the  contrary  he  appeared,  from 
an  unobtrusive  hint  or  two,  to  be  anxious 
that  I  should  know  that  his  discretion  could 
be  trusted. 

"  You  must  not  think  of  moving  for  a  couple 
of  days,"  he  said;  "but  then  I  think  we  can 
get  you  away  without  danger  and  quite 
quietly." 

I  thanked  him ;  he  promised  to  look  in 
again ;  I  murmured  something  about  his 
fee. 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  that  is  all  settled,"  he  said. 
"Your  friend  Kerr  Schmidt  has  seen  to  it, 
and,  my  dear  sir,  most  liberally." 

He  was  hardly  gone  when  "  my  friend 
Herr  Schmidt" — alias  Rudolf  Rassendyll — 
was  back.  He  laughed  a  little  when  I  told 
him  how  discreet  the  doctor  had  been. 

"You  see,"  he  explained,  "he  thinks  you've 
been  very  indiscreet.  I  was  obliged,  my 
dear  Fritz,  to  take  some  liberties  with  your 
character.  However  it 's  odds  against  the 
matter  coming  to  your  wife's  ears." 

"  But  couldn't  we  have  laid  the  others  by 
the  heels  ?  " 

"  With  the  letter  on  Rupert  ?  My  dear 
fellow,  you're  very  ill !  " 

I  laughed  at  myself,  and  forgave  Rudolf 
his  trick,  though  I  think  that  he  might  have 
made    my    fictitious     inamorata     something 


AGAIN    TO    ZENDA.  55 

more  than  a  baker's  wife.  It  would  have 
cost  no  more  to  make  her  a  countess,  and 
the  doctor  would  have  looked  with  more 
respect  on  me.  However  Rudolf  had  said 
that  the  baker  broke  my  head  with  his 
rolling-pin,  and  thus  the  story  rests  in  the 
doctor's  mind  to  this  day. 

"Well,   I'm  off,"    said  Rudolf. 

"But  where  ?" 

"Why,  to  that  same  little  station  where 
two  good  friends  parted  from  me  once 
before.     Fritz,  where *s  Rupert  gone?" 

"  I  wish  we  knew  !  " 

"I  lay  he  won't  be  far  off." 

**  Are  you  armed  ?  " 

"The  six-shooter.  Well,  yes,  since  you 
press  me,  a  knife  too ;  but  only  if  he  uses 
one.    You'll  let  Sapt  know  when  you  come?" 

"Yes;  and  I  come  the  moment  I  can 
stand." 

"As  if  you  need  tell  me  that,  old  fellow!" 

"Where  do  you  go  from  the  station?'* 

"To  Zenda,  through  the  forest,"  he 
answered,  "  I  shall  reach  the  station  about 
nine  to-morrow  night,  Thursday.  Unless 
Rischenheim  has  got  the  audience  sooner 
than  was  arranged,  I  shall  be  in  time." 

"How  will  you  get  hold  of  Sapt?" 

"We  must  leave  something  to  the  minute." 

"God  bless  you,  Rudolf!" 

"The  King  shan't  have   the  letter,  Fritz." 

There    was    a    moment's    silence    as    we 


56  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

shook  hands.  Then  that  soft  yet  bright 
look  came  in  his  eyes  again.  He  looked 
down  at  me,  and  caught  me  regarding  him 
with  a  smile  that  I  know  was  not  unkind. 

"I  never  thought  I  should  see  her  again," 
he  said.  **  I  think  I  shall  now,  Fritz.  To 
have  a  turn  with  that  boy,  and  to  sec  her 
again — it's  worth   something." 

**  How  will  you  see  her  ?  " 

Rudolf  laughed,  and  I  laughed  too.  He 
caught  my  hand  again.  I  think  that  he  was 
anxious  to  infect  me  with  his  gaiety  and 
confidence.  But  I  could  not  answer  to  the 
appeal  of  his  eyes.  There  was  a  motive 
in  him  that  found  no  place  in  me — a  great 
longing,  the  prospect  or  hope  of  whose 
sudden  fulfilment  dwarfed  danger  and  ban- 
ished despair.  He  saw  that  I  detected  its 
presence  in  him  and  perceived  how  it  filled  his 
mind. 

"But  the  letter  comes  before  all,"  said  he. 
"  I  expected  to  die  without  seeing  her ;  I  will 
die  without  seeing  her,  if  I  must,  to  save  the 
letter." 

"I  know  you  will,"  said  I. 

He  pressed  my  hand  again.  As  he  turned 
away,  James  came  with  his  noiseless  quick 
step  into  the  room.  '^ 

"The  carriage  is  at  the  door,  sir,"  said  he. 

"Look  after  the  Count,  James,"  said 
Rudolf.  "Don't  leave  him  till  he  sends  you 
away." 


AGAIN    to    ZENDA.  57 

"Very  well,  sir." 

I  raised  myself  in  bed.  "  Here  's  luck  !  " 
I  cried,  catching  up  the  lemonade  James 
had  brought  to  me  and  taking  a  gulp  of  it. 

"Please  God,"  said  Rudolf,  with  a  shrug. 

And  he  was  gone  to  his  v^^ork  and  his 
reward,  to  save  the  Queen's  letter  and  to 
see  the  Queen's  face.  Thus  he  went  a 
second  time  to  Zenda. 


CHAPTER    IV. 
AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT. 

ON  the  evening  of  Thursday,  the  sixteenth 
of  October,  the  Constable  of  Zenda  v/as 
very  much  out  of  humour ;  he  has  since 
confessed  as  much.  To  risk  the  peace  of 
a  palace  for  the  sake  of  a  lover's  greeting 
had  never  been  wisdom  to  his  mind,  and 
he  had  been  sorely  impatient  with  "that  fool 
Fritz's "  yearly  pilgrimage.  The  letter  of 
farewell  had  been  an  added  folly,  pregnant 
with  chances  of  disaster.  Now  disaster,  or  the 
danger  of  it,  had  come.  The  curt  mysteri- 
ous telegrams  from  Wintenberg,  which  told 
him  so  little,  at  least  told  him  that.  It 
ordered  him — and  he  did  not  know  even 
whose  the  order  was — to  delay  Rischen- 
heim's  audience,  or,  if  he  could  not,  to  get 
the  King  away  from  Zenda;  why  he  was 
to  act  thus  was  not  disclosed  to  him.  But 
he  knew  as  well  as  I  that  Rischenheim  was 
completely  in  Rupert's  hands,  and  he  could 
not  fail  to  guess  that  something  had  gone 
wrong  at  Wintenberg,  and  that  Rischenheim 
came  to  tell  the  King  some  news  that  the 
King  must  not  hear.  His  ta-sk  sounded 
simple,  but  it  was  not  so  easy;  for  he  did 


58 


AN    iEDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  59 

not  know  where  Rischenheim  was,  and  so 
could  not  prevent  his  coming.  Besides  the 
King  had  been  very  pleased  to  learn  of  the 
Count's  approaching  visit,  since  he  desired 
to  talk  with  him  on  the  subject  of  a  certain 
breed  of  dogs,  which  the  Count  bred  with 
great.  His  Majesty  with  only  indifferent, 
success ;  therefore  he  had  declared  that 
nothing  should  interfere  with  his  reception 
of  Rischenheim.  In  vain  Sapt  told  him 
that  a  large  boar  had  been  seen  in  the 
forest,  and  that  a  fine  day's  sport  might  be 
expected  if  he  would  hunt  next   day. 

"  I  shouldn't  be  back  in  time  to  see 
Rischenheim,"  said  the  King. 

"Your  Majesty  would  be  back  by  night- 
fall," suggested  Sapt. 

**I  should  be  too  tired  to  talk  to  him, 
and  I  've  a  great   deal  to   discuss." 

"You  could  sleep  at  the  hunting-lodge, 
sire,  and  ride  back  to  receive  the  Count 
next  morning." 

"I'm  anxious  to  see  him  as  soon  as 
may  be."  Then  he  looked  up  at  Sapt  with  a 
sick  man's  quick  suspicion.  "Why  shouldn't 
I   see  him  ? "   he  asked. 

"It's  a  pity  to  miss  the  boar,  sire,"  was 

all   Sapt's  plea.     The  King  made  light  of  it. 

"Curse  the  boar!"  said  he.     "I  want  to 

know    how    he    gets    the    dogs'    coats     so 

fine." 

As    the    King    spoke    a    servant    entered, 


6o  kUPERt    OF    HENtZAt). 

carrying  a  telegram  for  Sapt.  The  Colonel 
took  it  and  put  it  in  his  pocket. 

«*  Read  it,"  said  the  King.  He  had  dined 
and  was  about  to  go  to  bed,  it  being  nearly 
ten  o'clock. 

**  It  will  keep,  sire,"  answered  Sapt,  who 
did  not  know  but  that  it  might  be  from 
Wintenberg. 

"  Read  it,"  insisted  the  King  testily. 
"  It  may  be  from  Rischenheim.  Perhaps 
he  can  get  here  sooner.  I  should  like  to 
know  about  those   dogs.     Read  it,  I  beg." 

Sapt  could  do  nothing  but  read  it.  He 
had  taken  to  spectacles  lately,  and  he  spent 
a  long  while  adjusting  them  and  thinking 
what  he  should  do  if  the  message  were 
not  fit  for  the  King's  ear. 

"  Be  quick,  man,  be  quick ! "  urged  the 
irritable  King. 

Sapt  had  got  the  envelope  open  at  last; 
and  relief,  mingled  with  perplexity,  showed 
in  his  face. 

"Your  Majesty  guessed  wonderfully  well. 
Rischenheim  can  be  here  at  eight  to-morrow 
morning,"  he  said,  looking  up. 

"Capital!"  cried  the  King.  "He  shall 
breakfast  with  me  at  nine,  and  I'll  have  a 
ride  after  the  boar  when  we  've  done  our 
business.     Now  are  you  satisfied  ?  " 

"  Perfectly,  sire,"  said  Sapt,  biting  his 
moustache. 

The    King  rose    with    a    yawn,   and  bade 


AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  6i 

the  Colonel  good-night.  "  He  must  have 
some  trick  I  don't  know  with  those  dogs," 
he  remarked,  as  he  went  out ;  and 

**Damn  the  dogs!"  cried  Colonel  Sapt 
the  moment  that  the  door  was  shut  behind 
His  Majesty. 

But  the  Colonel  was  not  a  man  to  accept 
defeat  easily.  The  audience  that  he  had 
been  instructed  to  postpone  was  advanced ; 
the  King,  whom  he  had  been  told  to  get 
away  from  Zenda,  would  not  go  till  he  had 
seen  Rischenheim.  Still  there  are  many 
ways  of  preventing  a  meeting.  Some  are 
by  fraud,  these  it  is  no  injustice  to  Sapt  to 
say  that  he  had  tried ;  some  are  by  force, 
and  the  Colonel  was  being  driven  to  the  con- 
clusion that  one  of  these  must  be  his  resort. 

"  Though  the  King,"  he  mused  with  a 
grin,  "will  be  furious  if  anything  happens  to 
Rischenheim  before  he's  told  him  about  the 
dogs." 

Yet  he  fell  to  racking  his  brains  to  find 
a  means  by  which  the  Count  might  be 
rendered  incapable  of  performing  the  service 
so  desired  by  the  King  and  of  carrying 
out  his  own  purpose  in  seeking  an  audience. 
Nothing  save  assassination  suggested  itself 
to  the  Constable  ;  a  quarrel  and  a  duel 
offered  no  security ;  and  Sapt  was  not 
Black  Michael,  and  had  no  band  of  ruffians 
to  join  him  in  an  apparently  unprovoked 
kidnapping  of  a  distinguished  nobleman. 


62  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  I  can  think  of  nothing,"  muttered  Sapt, 
rising  from  his  chair  and  moving  across 
towards  the  window,  in  search  of  the  fresh 
air  that  a  man  so  often  thinks  will  give 
him  a  fresh  idea.  He  was  in  his  own 
quarters,  that  room  of  the  new  chateau 
which  opens  on  to  the  moat  immediately  to 
the  right  of  the  drawbridge  as  you  face  the 
old  castle ;  it  was  the  room  which  Duke 
Michael  had  occupied,  and  almost  opposite 
to  the  spot  where  the  great  pipe  had  con- 
nected the  window  of  the  King's  dungeon 
with  the  waters  of  the  moat.  The  bridge 
was  down  now,  for  peaceful  days  had  come 
to  Zenda;  the  pipe  was  gone,  and  the 
dungeon's  window,  though  still  barred,  was 
uncovered.  The  night  was  clear  and  fine, 
and  the  still  water  gleamed  fitfully  as  the 
moon,  half-full,  escaped  from  or  was  hidden 
by  passing  clouds.  Sapt  stood  staring  out 
gloomily,  beating  his  knuckles  on  the  stone 
sill.  The  fresh  air  was  there,  but  the  fresh 
idea  tarried. 

Suddenly  the  Constable  bent  forward, 
craning  his  head  out  and  down,  far  as  he 
could  stretch  it,  towards  the  water.  What 
he  had  seen,  or  seemed  dimly  to  see,  is 
a  sight  common  enough  on  the  surface  of 
water — large  circular  eddies,  widening  from 
a  centre;  a  stone  thrown  in  makes  them, 
or  a  fish  on  the  rise.  But  Sapt  had  thrown 
no  stone,   and    the    fish    in    the    moat    were 


AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  63 

few  and  not  rising  then.  The  light  was 
behind  Sapt  and  threw  his  figure  into  bold 
relief.  The  royal  apartments  looked  out 
the  other  way;  there  were  no  lights  in 
the  windows  this  side  the  bridge,  although 
beyond  it  the  guards*  lodgings  and  the 
servants*  offices  still  showed  a  light  here 
and  there.  Sapt  waited  till  the  eddies 
ceased.  Then  he  heard  the  faintest  sound, 
as  of  a  large  body  let  very  gently  into  the 
water;  a  moment  later,  from  the  moat  right 
below  him,   a  man's  head   emerged. 

"Sapt!"    said  a  voice,   low  but   distinct. 

The  old  Colonel  started,  and,  resting  both 
hands  on  the  sill,  bent  farther  out,  till  he 
seemed  in  danger  of  overbalancing. 

"  Quick — to  the  ledge  on  the  other  side. 
You  know,"  said  the  voice,  and  the  head 
turned;  with  quick  quiet  strokes  the  man 
crossed  the  moat  till  he  was  hidden  in 
the  triangle  of  deep  shade  formed  by  the 
meeting  of  the  drawbridge  and  the  old 
castle  wall.  Sapt  watched  him  go,  almost 
stupefied  by  the  sudden  wonder  of  hearing 
that  voice  come  to  him  out  of  the  stillness 
of  the  night.  For  the  King  was  abed;  and 
who  spoke  in  that  voice  save  the  King  and 
one   other  ? 

Then,  with  a  curse  at  himself  for  his 
delay,  he  turned  and  walked  quickly  across 
the  room.  Opening  the  door,  he  found  him- 
self in  the  passage.     But  here  he  ran  right 


64  RUPERT   OF    HENTZAU. 

into  the  arms  of  young  Bernenstein,  the 
Officer  of  the  Guard,  who  was  going  his 
rounds.  Sapt  knew  and  trusted  him,  for 
he  had  been  with  us  all  through  the  siege 
of  Zenda,  when  Michael  kept  the  King  a 
prisoner,  and  he  bore  marks  given  him  by 
Rupert  of  Hentzau's  ruffians.  He  now  held 
a  commission  as  lieutenant  in  the  Cuiras- 
siers  of  the   King's   Guard. 

He  noticed    Sapt's    bearing,    for   he    cried 
out  in  a  low  voice ; 

"Anything  wrong,  sir?" 
"  Bernenstein,    my    boy,    the    Castle's    all 
right  about  here.     Go    round    to    the    front, 
and,   hang  you,   stay  there,"   said   Sapt. 

The    officer    stared,     as    well    he    might. 
Sapt  caught  him  by  the  arm. 

"  No,   stay  here.     See,   stand  by  the  door 
there    that    leads    to    the    royal    apartments. 
Stand    there,    and    let    nobody    pass.      You 
understand  ?  " 
**Yes,   sir." 

"And  whatever  you  hear,  don't  look  round." 

Bernenstein's  bewilderment  grew  greater; 

but     Sapt    was    Constable,     and    on    Sapt's 

shoulders  lay  the  responsibility  for  the  safety 

of  Zenda  and  all  in  it. 

"Very    well,    sir,"    he    said    with    a    sub- 
missive  shrug,   and  he   drew  his   sword  and 
stood  by  the   door:    he   could  obey  although 
he  could  not  understand. 
Sapt  ran  on.      Opening   the  gate  that  led 


AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  65 

to  the  bridge,  he  sped  across.  Then  step- 
ping on  one  side  and  turning  his  face  to 
the  wall,  he  descended  the  steps  that  gave 
foothold  down  to  the  ledge  running  six  or 
eight  inches  above  the  water.  He  also  was 
now  in  the  triangle  of  deep  darkness,  yet 
he  knew  that  a  man  was  there,  who  stood 
straight  and  tall,  rising  above  his  own 
height.  And  he  felt  his  hand  caught  in  a 
sudden  grip.  Rudolf  Rassendyll  was  there, 
in  his  wet   drawers   and   socks. 

"Is   it  you?"   he  whispered. 

"Yes,"  answered  Rudolf:  "I  swam  round 
from  the  other  side  and  got  here.  Then  I 
threw  in  a  bit  of  mortar,  but  I  wasn't 
sure  I'd  roused  you,  and  I  didn't  dare 
shout,  so  I  followed  it  myself.  Lay  hold 
of  me  a  minute  while  I  get  on  my  breeches: 
I  didn't  want  to  get  wet,  so  I  carried  my 
clothes  in  a  bundle.  Hold  me  tight — it 's 
slippery." 

"In  God's  name,  what  brings  you  here?" 
whispered  Sapt,  catching  Rudolf  by  the 
arm   as  he  was   directed. 

"The  Queen's  service.  When  does 
Rischenheim    come  ?  " 

"  To-morrow  at   eight." 

"The  deuce!  That's  earlier  than  I 
thought.      And  the   King  ?  " 

"  Is  here  and  determined  to  sec  him. 
It's  impossible  to  move   him   from  it." 

There    was    a    moment's    silence;     Rudolf 

5 


66  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

drew  his  shirt  over  his  head  and  tucked 
it  into  his  trousers.  "Give  me  the  jacket 
and  waistcoat,"  he  said.  **  I  feel  deuced 
damp  underneath,  though." 

"You'll  soon  get  dry,"  grinned  Sapt. 
"You'll  be  kept  moving,   you  see." 

"I've  lost  my  hat." 

"  Seems  to  me  you  've  lost  your  head 
too." 

"You'll  find  me  both,   eh,  Sapt?" 

"As  good  as  your  own,  anyhow,"  growled 
the  Constable. 

"  Now  the  boots,  and  I  'm  ready."  Then 
he  asked  quickly,  "  Has  the  King  seen  or 
heard  from   Rischenheim  ?  " 

"  Neither,  except  through  me." 

"Then  why  is  he  so  set  on  seeing 
him  ?  " 

"To  find  out  what  gives  dogs  smooth 
coats." 

"You're  serious?  Hang  you,  I  can't  see 
your  face." 

"  Absolutely." 

"All's  well,  then.  Has  he  got  a  beard 
now  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"Confound  him!  Can't  you  take  me  any- 
where to  talk  ?  " 

"What  the  deuce  are  you  here  at  all 
for  ?  " 

"To  meet   Rischenheim." 

"To  meet ?" 


AN  EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  67 

"Yes.  Sapt,  he's  got  a  copy  of  the 
Queen's  letter." 

Sapt  twirled   his   moustache. 

"I've  always  said  as  much,"  he  remarked 
in  tones  of  satisfaction.  He  need  not  have 
said  it ;  he  would  have  been  more  than 
human   not   to   think  it. 

"  Wliere  can  you  take  me  to?"  asked 
Rudolf  impatiently. 

"  Any  room  with  a  door  and  a  lock  to 
it,"  answered  old  Sapt.  "  I  command  here, 
and  when  I  say,  *  Stay  out ' — well,  they 
don't  come   in." 

"Not   the   King?" 

"The  King  is  in  bed.  Come  along,"  and 
the  Constable  set  his  toe  on  the  lowest  step. 

"Is  there  nobody  about?"  asked  Rudolf, 
catching  his   arm. 

"  Bernenstein :  but  he  will  keep  his  back 
towards   us." 

"Your  discipline  is  still  good,  then. 
Colonel  ?  " 

"  Pretty  well  for  these  days.  Your 
Majesty,"  grunted  Sapt,  as  he  reached  the 
level   of   the   bridge. 

Having  crossed,  they  entered  the  chateau. 
The  passage  was  empty  save  for  Bernen- 
stein, whose  broad  back  barred  the  way 
from  the   royal   apartments. 

"In  here,"  whispered  Sapt,  laying  his 
hand  on  the  door  of  the  room  whence  he 
had  come. 


68  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


"  All  right,"  answered  Rudolf.  Bernen- 
stein's  hand  twitched,  but  he  did  not  look 
round.  There  was  discipline  in  the  Castle 
of   Zenda. 

But  as  Sapt  was  half-way  through  the 
oor  and  Rudolf  about  to  follow  him,  the 
:>ther  door,  that  which  Bernenstein  guarded, 
was  softly  yet  swiftly  opened.  Bernenstein's 
sword  was  in  rest  in  an  instant.  A  muttered 
oath  from  Sapt  and  Rudolf's  quick  snatch 
at  his  breath  greeted  the  interruption. 
Bernenstein  did  not  look  round,  but  his 
sword  fell  to  his  side.  In  the  doorway 
stood  Queen  Flavia,  all  in  white ;  and  now 
her  face  turned  white  as  her  dress.  For 
her  eyes  had  fallen  on  Rudolf  Rassendyll. 
For  a  moment  the  four  stood  thus ;  then 
Rudolf  passed  Sapt,  thrust  Bernenstein's 
brawny  shoulders  (the  young  man  had  not 
looked  round)  out  of  the  way,  and,  falling 
on  his  knee  before  the  Queen,  seized  her 
hand  and  kissed  it.  Bernenstein  could  see 
now  without  looking  round,  and  if  astonish- 
ment could  kill,  he  would  have  been  a  dead 
man  that  instant.  He  fairly  reeled  and 
leant  against  the  wall,  his  mouth  hanging 
open.  For  the  King  was  in  bed,  and  had 
a  beard;  yet  here  was  the  King,  fully 
dressed  and  clean  shaven,  and  he  was 
kissing  the  Queen's  hand,  while  she  gazed 
down  on  him  in  a  struggle  between  amaze- 
ment,  fright  and  joy.      A  soldier  should  be 


AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  69 

prepared  for  anything,  but  I  cannot  be  hard 
on  young   Bernenstein's   bewilderment. 

Yet  there  was  in  truth  nothing  strange 
in  the  Queen  seeking  to  see  old  Sapt  that 
night,  nor  in  her  guessing  where  he  would 
most  probably  be  found.  For  she  had  asked 
him  three  times  whether  news  had  come 
from  Wintenberg  and  each  time  he  had  put 
her  off  with  excuses.  Quick  to  forebode 
evil,  and  conscious  of  the  pledge  to  fortune 
that  she  had  given  in  her  letter,  she  had 
determined  to  know  from  him  whether  there 
were  really  cause  for  alarm,  and  had  stolen, 
undetected,  from  her  apartments  to  seek 
him.  What  filled  her  at  once  with  unbear- 
able apprehension  and  incredulous  joy  was 
to  find  Rudolf  present  in  actual  flesh  and 
blood,  no  longer  in  sad  longing  dreams  or 
visions,  and  to  feel  his  live  lips  on  her  hand. 

Lovers  count  neither  time  nor  danger; 
but  Sapt  counted  both,  and  no  more  than 
a  moment  had  passed  before,  with  eager 
imperative  gestures,  he  beckoned  them  to 
enter  the  room.  The  Queen  obeyed,  and 
Rudolf   followed  her. 

» "  Let  nobody  in,  and  don't  say  a  word 
to  anybody,"  whispered  Sapt,  as  he  entered, 
leaving  Bernenstein  outside.  The  young 
man  was  half- dazed  still,  but  he  had  sense 
to  read  the  expression  in  the  Constable's 
eyes  and  to  learn  from  it  that  he  must 
give  his  life    sooner   than    let    the    door    be 


70  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Opened.     So  with  drawn  sword  he  stood  on 
guard. 

It  was  eleven  o'clock  when  the  Queen 
came,  and  midnight  had  struck  from  the 
great  clock  of  the  Castle  before  the  door 
opened  again  and  Sapt  came  out.  His 
sword  was  not  drawn,  but  he  had  his  re- 
volver in  his  hand.  He  shut  the  door 
silently  after  him  and  began  at  once  to  talk 
5n  low,  earnest,  quick  tones  to  Bernenstein. 
Bernenstein  listened  intently  and  without 
interrupting.  Sapt's  story  ran  on  for  eight 
or  nine  minutes.  Then  he  paused,  before 
asking : 

**  You  understand  now  ?  " 
"  Yes,    it    is    wonderful,"    said    the    young 
man,   drawing  in  his  breath. 

"  Pooh  !  "  said  Sapt.  "  Nothing  is  won- 
derful:   some  things  are  unusual." 

Bernenstein  was  not  convinced,  and  shrug- 
ged his   shoulders  in  protest. 

"Well?"  said  the  Constable,  with  a  quick 
glance  at  him. 

"  I  would  die  for  the  Queen,  sir,"  he 
answered,  clicking  his  heels  together  as 
though   on  parade. 

*'Good,"  said  Sapt.  "Then  listen,"  and 
he  began  again  to  talk.  Bernenstein  nodded 
from  time  to  time.  "You'll  meet  him  at 
the  gate,"  said  the  Constable,  "and  bring 
him  straight  here.  He 's  not  to  go  any- 
where else,  you  understand  me?" 


AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  ^\ 

"  Perfectly,    Colonel,"    smiled    young    Ber- 
nenstein. 

*'  The  King  will  be  in  this  room — the  King. 
You  know  who  is  the  King?" 

"Perfectly,   Colonel." 

"And  when  the    interview    is  ended,   and 
we   go  to  breakfast " 

"  I    know    who    will    be    the    King    then. 
Yes,   Colonel." 

"  Good.      But    we    do    him    no    harm   un- 
less  " 

"  It  is  necessary." 

"  Precisely." 

Sapt  turned  away  with  a  little  sigh. 
Bernenstein  was  an  apt  pupil,  but  the 
Colonel  was  exhausted  by  so  much  expla- 
nation. He  knocked  softly  at  the  door  of 
the  room.  The  Queen's  voice  bade  him 
enter,  and  he  passed  in.  Bernenstein  was 
left  alone  again  in  the  passage,  pondering 
over  what  he  had  heard  and  rehearsing  the 
part  that  it  now  fell  to  him  to  play.  As 
he  thought,  he  may  well  have  raised  his 
head  proudly.  The  service  seemed  so  great 
and.  the  honour  so  high,  that  he  almost 
wished  he  could  die  in  the  performing  of 
his  role.  It  would  be  a  finer  death  than 
his  soldier's  dreams  had  dared  to  picture. 
At  one  o'clock  Colonel  Sapt  came  out. 
**  Go  to  bed  till  six,"  said  he  to  Ber- 
nenstein. 

*•!  am  not  sleepy." 


72  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  No,  but  you  will  be  at  eight  if  you  don't 
sleep  now." 

"  Is  the  Queen  coming  out,  Colonel  ?  " 

"In  a  minute,  Lieutenant." 

"I  should  like  to  kiss  her  hand." 

"Well,  if  you  think  it  worth  waiting  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  for,"  said  Sapt,  with  a 
slight  smile. 

"You  said  a  minute,  sir." 

"So  did  she,"  answered  the  Constable. 

Nevertheless  it  was  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
before  Rudolf  Rassendyll  opened  the  door  and 
the  Queen  appeared  on  the  threshold.  She 
was  very  pale,  and  she  had  been  crying,  but 
her  eyes  were  happy  and  her  air  firm.  The 
moment  he  saw  her,  young  Bernenstein  fell 
on  his  knees  and  raised  her  hand  to  his 
lips. 

"To  the  death,  madame,"  said  he  in  a 
trembling  voice. 

"I  knew  it,  sir,"  she  answered  graciously. 
Then  she  looked  round  on  the  three  of  them. 
"Gentlemen,"  said  she,  "my  servants  and 
dear  friends,  with  you,  and  with  Fritz  who 
lies  wounded  in  Wintenberg,  rest  my  honour 
and  my  life ;  for  I  will  not  live  if  the  letter 
reaches  the  King." 

"The  King  shall  not  have  it,  madame,"  said 
Colonel  Sapt. 

He  took  her  hand  in  his  and  patted  it  with 
a  clumsy  gentleness ;  smiling,  she  extended  it 
again  to  young  Bernenstein,  in  mark  of  her 


^^ 


o 


AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  73 

favour.  They  two  then  stood  at  the  salute, 
while  Rudolf  walked  with  her  to  the  end  of 
the  passage.  There  for  a  moment  she  and  he 
stood  together;  the  others  turned  their  eyes 
away  and  thus  did  not  see  her  suddenly  stoop 
and  cover  his  hand  with  her  kisses.  He  tried 
to  draw  it  away,  not  thinking  it  fit  that  she 
should  kiss  his  hand,  but  she  seemed  as  though 
she  could  not  let  it  go.  Yet  at  last,  still  with 
her  eyes  on  his,  she  passed  backwards  through 
the  door,  and  he  shut  it  after  her. 

"  Now  to  business,"  said  Colonel  Sapt 
dryly;  and  Rudolf  laughed  a  little. 

Rudolf  passed  into  the  room.  Sapt  went 
to  the  King's  apartments,  and  asked  the  phy- 
sician whether  His  Majesty  were  sleeping 
well.  Receiving  reassuring  news  of  the  royal 
slumbers,  he  proceeded  to  the  quarters  of  the 
King's  body- servant,  knocked  up  the  sleepy 
wretch,  and  ordered  breakfast  for  the  King 
and  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  at  nine 
o'clock  precisely,  in  the  morning-room  that 
looks  out  over  the  avenue  leading  to  the 
entrance  of  the  new  chateau.  This  done,  he 
returned  to  the  room  where  Rudolf  was, 
carried  a  chair  into  the  passage,  bade  Rudolf 
lock  the  door,  sat  down,  revolver  in  hand,  and 
himself  went  to  sleep.  Young  Bernenstein 
was  in  bed  just  now,  taken  faint,  and  the 
Constable  himself  was  acting  as  his  sub- 
stitute :  that  was  to  be  the  story,  if  a  story 
were  needed.     Thus  the  hours  from  two  to 


74  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

six    passed    that    morning    in    the    Castle   of 
Zenda. 

At  six  the  Constable  awoke  and  knocked 
at  the  door ;    Rudolf  Rassendyll  opened  it. 

"  Slept  well  ?  "    asked  Sapt. 

"  Not  a  wink,"  answered  Rudolf  cheerfully. 

"  I  thought  you  had  more  nerve." 

**  It  wasn't  want  of  nerve  that  kept  me 
awake,"  said  Mr.  Rassendyll. 

Sapt,  with  a  pitying  shrug,  looked  round. 
The  curtains  of  the  window  were  half- drawn. 
The  table  was  moved  nearer  to  the  wall,  and 
the  armchair  by  it  was  well  in  shadow,  being 
quite  close  to  the  curtains. 

"There's  plenty  of  room  for  you  behind," 
said  Rudolf;  "  and  when  Rischenheim  is 
seated  in  his  chair  opposite  to  mine,  you 
can  put  your  barrel  against  his  head  by  just 
stretching  out  your  hand.  And  of  course  I 
can  do  the  same." 

"Yes,  it  looks  well  enough,"  said  Sapt, 
with  an  approving  nod. 

"What  about  the  beard  ?" 

"  Bernenstein  is  to  tell  him  you  've  shaved 
this  morning." 

"  Will  he  believe  that  ?  " 

"  Why  not  ?  For  his  own  sake  he  'd  better 
believe  everything." 

And  if  we  have  to  kill  him  ? 

"We  must  run  for  it.  The  King  would 
be  furious." 

"He's  fond  of  him  ?" 


AN    EDDY    ON    THE    MOAT.  75 

"  You  forget.  He  wants  to  know  about 
the  dogs." 

<*  True.    You  '11  be  in  your  place  in  time  ?  " 

**  Of  course." 

Rudolf  Rassendyll  took  a  turn  up  and  down 
the  room.  It  was  easy  to  see  that  the 
events  of  the  night  had  disturbed  him. 
Sapt's  thoughts  were  running  in  a  different 
channel. 

"  When  we  've  done  with  this  fellow,  we 
must  find  Rupert,"  said  he. 

Rudolf  started. 

"  Rupert  ?  Rupert  ?  True  ;  I  forgot.  Of 
course  we  must,"  said  he  confusedly. 

Sapt  looked  scornful  ;  he  knew  that  his 
companion's  mind  had  been  occupied  with 
the  Queen.  But  his  remarks— if  he  had 
meditated  any  —  were  interrupted  by  the 
clock   striking  seven. 

**  He  '11  be  here  in  an  hour,"  said  he. 

"We're  ready  for  him,"  answered  Rudolf 
Rassendyll.  With  the  thought  of  action  his 
eyes  grew  bright  and  his  brow  smooth  again. 
He  and  old  Sapt  looked  at  one  another,  and 
they  both  smiled. 

**Like  old  times,  isn't  it,  Sapt  ?" 

"Aye,  sire,  like  the  reign  of  good  King 
Rudolf." 

Thus  they  made  ready  for  the  Count  of 
Luzau-Rischenheim,  while  my  cursed  wound 
held  me  a  prisoner  at  Wintenberg.  It  is 
still    a    sorrow    to    me    that    I    know    what 


76  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

passed  that  morning  only  by  report,  and 
had  not  the  honour  of  bearing  a  part  in  it. 
Still  Her  Majesty  did  not  forget  me,  but 
remembered  that  I  would  have  taken  my 
share,  had  fortune  allowed.  Indeed  I  would 
most  eagerly. 


CHAPTER    V. 
AN     AUDIENCE     OF     THE     KING. 

HAVING  come  thus  far  in  the  story  that 
I  set  out  to  tell,  I  have  half  a  mind 
to  lay  down  my  pen,  and  leave  untold 
how  from  the  moment  that  Mr.  Rassendyll 
came  again  to  Zenda  a  fury  of  chance 
seemed  to  catch  us  all  in  a  whirlwind, 
carrying  us  whither  we  would  not,  and 
ever  driving  us  onwards  to  fresh  enterprises, 
breathing  into  us  a  recklessness  that  stood 
at  no  obstacle,  and  a  devotion  to  the  Queen 
and  to  the  man  she  loved  that  swept  away 
all  other  feelings.  The  ancients  held  there 
to  be  a  Fate  which  would  have  its  fill,  though 
women  wept  and  men  died,  and  none  could 
tell  whose  was  the  guilt  nor  who  fell  innocent. 
Thus  did  they  blindly  wrong  God's  Provi- 
dence. Yet,  save  that  we  are  taught  to 
believe  that  all  is  ruled,  we  are  as  blind  as 
they,  and  are  still  left  wondering  why  all 
that  is  true  and  generous  and  love's  own 
fruit  must  turn  so  often  to  woe  and  shame, 
exacting  tears  and  blood.  For  myself  I 
would  leave  the  thing  untold,  lest  a  word 
of  it  should  seem  to  stain  her  whom  I 
serve  ;   it  is  by  her  own  command  I  write, 


78  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

that  all  may  one  day,  in  time's  fulness, 
be  truly  known,  and  those  condemn  who 
are  without  sin,  while  they  pity  whose 
own  hearts  have  fought  the  equal  fight.  So 
much  for  her  and  him ;  for  us  less  needs  be 
said.  It  was  not  ours  to  weigh  her  actions : 
we  served  her ;  him  we  had  served.  She 
was  our  Queen  ;  we  bore  Heaven  a  grudge 
that  he  was  not  our  King.  The  worst  of 
what  befell  was  not  of  our  own  planning, 
no,  nor  of  our  hoping.  It  came  a  thunderbolt 
from  the  hand  of  Rupert,  flung  carelessly 
between  a  curse  and  a  laugh ;  its  coming 
entangled  us  more  tightly  in  the  net  of 
circumstances.  Then  there  arose  in  us  that 
strange  and  overpowering  desire  of  which  I 
must  tell  later,  filling  us  with  a  zeal  to 
accomplish  our  purpose,  and  to  force  Mr. 
Rassendyll  himself  into  the  way  we  chose. 
Led  by  this  star,  we  pressed  on  through  the 
darkness,  until  at  length  the  deeper  darkness 
fell  that  stayed  our  steps.  We  also  stand 
for  judgment,  even  as  she  and  he.  So  I  will 
write ;  but  I  will  write  plainly  and  briefly, 
setting  down  what  I  must  and  no  more, 
yet  seeking  to  give  truly  the  picture  of  that 
time,  and  to  preserve  as  long  as  may  be  the 
portrait  of  the  man  whose  like  I  have  not 
known.  Yet  the  fear  is  always  upon  me 
that,  failing  to  show  him  as  he  was,  I  may 
fail  also  in  gaining  an  understanding  of  how 
he  wrought  on  us,  one  and  all,  till  his  cause 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF    THE    KING.  79 

became  in  all  things  the  right,  and  to  seat 
him  where  he  should  be  our  highest  duty 
and  our  nearest  wish.  For  he  said  little, 
and  that  straight  to  the  purpose ;  no  high- 
flown  words  of  his  live  in  my  memory.  And 
he  asked  nothing  for  himself.  Yet  his  speech 
and  his  eyes  went  straight  to  men's  hearts 
and  women's,  so  that  they  held  their  lives 
in  an  eager  attendance  on  his  bidding.  Do  I 
rave  ?  Then  Sapt  was  a  raver  too,  for  Sapt 
was  foremost  in  the  business. 

At  ten  minutes  to  eight  o'clock,  young 
Bernenstein,  very  admirably  and  smartly 
accoutred,  took  his  stand  outside  the  main 
entrance  of  the  Castle.  He  wore  a  confident 
air  that  became  almost  a  swagger  as  he 
strolled  to  and  fro  past  the  motionless  sentries. 
He  had  not  long  to  wait.  On  the  stroke  of 
eight  a  gentleman,  well  horsed  but  entirely 
unattended,  rode  up  the  carriage  drive. 
Bernenstein,  crying,  "Ah,  it  is  the  Count!", 
ran  to  meet  him.  Rischenheim  dismounted, 
holding  out  his  hand  to  the  young  officer. 

"  My  dear  Bernenstein  ! "  said  he,  for 
they  were  acquainted  with  one  another. 

**  You  're  punctual,  my  dear  Rischenheim, 
and  it 's  lucky,  for  the  King  awaits  you  most 
impatiently." 

**  I  didn't  expect  to  find  him  up  so  soon," 
remarked  Rischenheim. 

«*  Up  !  He 's  been  up  these  two  hours. 
Indeed  we've  had  the  devil  of  a  time  of  it. 


8o  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Treat  him  carefully,  my  dear  Count ;  he 's  in 
one  of  his  troublesome  humours.  For  ex- 
ample—but I  mustn't  keep  you  waiting. 
Pray   follow   me." 

"  No,  but  pray  tell  me.  Otherwise  I  might 
say  something  unfortunate." 

**  Well,  he  woke  at  six ;  and  when  the 
barber  came  to  trim  his  beard  there  were — 
imagine  it,  Count ! — no  less  than  seven  grey 
hairs.  The  King  fell  into  a  passion.  *Take 
it  off,'  he  said.  *  Take  it  off.  I  won't  have 
a  grey  beard  !  Take  it  off ! '  Well,  what 
would  you  ?  A  man  is  free  to  be  shaved 
if  he  chooses,  so  much  more  a  King.  So 
it 's  taken  off." 

"  His  beard  !  " 

*<  His  beard,  my  dear  Count.  Then,  after 
thanking  heaven  it  was  gone  and  declaring 
he  looked  ten  years  younger,  he  cried,  *The 
Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  breakfasts  with 
me  to-day :  what  is  there  for  breakfast  ? ' 
And  he  had  the  chef  out  of  his  bed  and — 
but,  by  heavens,  I  shall  get  into  trouble  if 
I  stop  here  chattering.  He 's  waiting  most 
eagerly  for  you.  Come  along."  And  Bernen- 
stein,  passing  his  arm  through  the  Count's, 
walked  him  rapidly  into  the  Castle. 

The  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  was  a 
young  man ;  he  was  no  more  versed  in  affairs 
of  this  kind  than  Bernenstein,  and  it  cannot 
be  said  that  he  showed  so  much  aptitude  for 
them.     He  was  decidedly  pale  this  morning; 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF    THE    KING.  8l 

his  manner  was  uneasy,  and  his  hands  trem- 
bled. He  did  not  lack  courage,  but  that 
rarer  virtue,  coolness ;  and  the  importance — 
or  perhaps  the  shame — of  his  mission  upset 
the  balance  of  his  nerves.  Hardly  noting 
where  he  went,  he  allowed  Bernenstein  to 
lead  him  quickly  and  directly  towards  the 
room  where  Rudolf  Rassendyll  was,  not 
doubting  that  he  was  being  conducted  to  the 
King's  presence. 

"  Breakfast  is  ordered  for  nine,"  said  Bern- 
enstein, "but  he  wants  to  see  you  before. 
He  has  something  important  to  say;  and 
you  perhaps  have  the  same  ?  " 

"I?  Oh,  no.  A  small  matter;  but — er — 
of  a  private  nature." 

"Quite  so,  quite  so.  Oh,  I  don't  ask  any 
questions,  my  dear  Count." 

"  Shall  I  find  the  King  alone  ?  "  asked 
Rischenheim  nervously. 

"I  don't  think  you'll  find  anybody  with 
him  :  no,  nobody,  I  think,"  answered 
Bernenstein  with  a  grave  and  reassuring 
air. 

They  had  arrived  now  at  the  door.  Here 
Bernenstein  paused. 

"I  am  ordered  to  wait  outside  till  His 
Majesty  summons  me,"  he  said  in  a  low 
voice,  as  though  he  feared  that  the  irritable 
King  would  hear  him.  "  I  '11  open  the  door 
and  announce  you.  Pray  keep  him  in  a  good 
temper,   for  all    our    sakes."      And  he  flung 

6 


82  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

the  door  open,  saying,  "Sire,  the  Count  of 
Luzau-Rischenheim  has  the  honour  to  wait 
on  your  Majesty."  With  this  he  shut  the 
door  promptly,  and  stood  against  it.  Nor 
did  he  move,  save  once,  and  then  only  to 
take  out  his  revolver  and  inspect  it  carefully. 

The  Count  advanced,  bowing  low  and 
striving  to  conceal  a  visible  agitation.  He 
saw  the  King  in  his  arm-chair;  the  King 
wore  a  suit  of  brown  tweeds  (none  the 
better  for  being  crushed  into  a  bundle  the 
night  before) ;  his  face  was  in  deep  shadow, 
but  Rischenheim  perceived  that  the  beard 
was  indeed  gone.  The  King  held  out  his 
hand  to  Rischenheim,  and  motioned  him  to 
sit  in  a  chair  just  opposite  to  him  and  within 
a  foot  of  the  window-curtains. 

"  I  'm  delighted  to  see  you,  my  lord,"  said 
the  King. 

Rischenheim  looked  up.  Rudolf's  voice 
had  once  been  so  like  the  King's  that  no 
man  could  tell  the  difference,  but  in  the  last 
year  or  two  the  King's  had  grown  weaker, 
and  Rischenheim  seemed  to  be  struck  by 
the  vigour  of  the  tones  in  which  he  was 
addressed.  As  he  looked  up,  there  was  a 
slight  movement  in  the  curtains  by  him ;  it 
died  away  when  the  Count  gave  no  further 
signs  of  suspicion,  but  Rudolf  had  noticed 
his  surprise :  the  voice,  when  it  next  spoke, 
was  subdued. 

"  Most  delighted,"  pursued  Mr.  Rassendyll. 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF    THE    KING.  83 

"  For  I  am  pestered  beyond  endurance  about 
those  dogs.  I  can't  get  the  coats  right.  I've 
tried  everything,  but  they  won't  come  as  I 
wish.     Now  yours  are  magnificent." 

"  You  are  very  good,  sire.  But  I  ventured 
to  ask  an  audience  in  order  to " 

'*  Positively  you  must  tell  me  about  the 
dogs.  And  before  Sapt  comes,  for  I  want 
nobody  to  hear  but  myself." 

"  Your  Majesty  expects  Colonel  Sapt  ?  " 

"  In  about  twenty  minutes,"  said  the  King, 
with  a  glance  at  the  clock  on  the  mantel- 
piece. 

At  this  Rischenheim  became  all  on  fire  to 
get  his  errand  done  before  Sapt  appeared. 

"The  coats  of  your  dogs,"  pursued  the 
King,  "grow  so  beautifully " 

"A  thousand  pardons,  sire,  but '* 


"Long  and  silky,  that  I  despair  of- 


"  I  have  a  most  urgent  and  important 
matter,"  persisted  Rischenheim  in  agony. 

Rudolf  threw  himself  back  in  his  chair 
with  a  peevish  air. 

"Well,  if  you  must,  you  must.  What  is 
this  great  affair.  Count  ?  Let  us  have  it 
over,  and  then  you  can  tell  me  about  the 
dogs." 

Rischenheim  looked  round  the  room. 
There  was  nobody ;  the  curtains  were  still ; 
the  King's  left  hand  caressed  his  beardless 
chin  ;  the  right  was  hidden  from  his  visitor 
by  the  small  table  that  stood  between  them. 


84  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"Sire,  my  cousin,  the  Count  of  Hentzau, 
has  entrusted  me  with  a  message." 

Rudolf  suddenly  assumed  a  stern  air. 

"I  can  hold  no  communication,  directly  or 
indirectly,  with  the  Count  of  Hentzau,"  said 
he. 

"Pardon  me,  sire,  pardon  me.  A  docu- 
ment has  come  into  the  Count's  hands  which 
is  of  vital  importance  to  your  Majesty." 

"The  Count  of  Hentzau,  my  lord,  has 
incurred  my  heaviest  displeasure." 

"Sire,  it  is  in  the  hopes  of  atoning  for  his 
offences  that  he  has  sent  me  here  to-day. 
There  is  a  conspiracy  against  your  Majesty's 
honour." 

"By  whom,  my  lord?"  asked  Rudolf  in 
cold  and  doubting  tones. 

"  By  those  who  are  very  near  your 
Majesty's  person  and  very  high  in  your 
Majesty's  love." 

"Name  them." 

"  Sire,  I  dare  not.  You  would  not  believe 
me.  But  your  Majesty  will  believe  written 
evidence." 

"Show  it  me,  and  quickly.  We  may  be 
interrupted." 

"Sire,  I  have  a  copy " 

"Oh,  a  copy,  my  lord?"  sneered  Rudolf. 

"  My  cousin  has  the  original,  and  will 
forward  it  at  your  Majesty's  command.  A 
copy  of  a  letter  of  Her  Majesty's." 

"  Of  the  Queen's  ?  " 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF   THE    KING.  85 

"Yes,  sire.     It  is  addressed  to ** 

Rischenheim  paused. 

"Well,  my  lord,  to  whom?" 

"To  a  Mr.  Rudolf  Rassendyll." 

Now  Rudolf  played  his  part  well.  He  did 
not  feign  indifference,  but  allowed  his  voice 
to  tremble  with  emotion  as  he  stretched  out 
his  hand  and  said  in  a  hoarse  whisper: 

"Give  it  me,  give  it  me." 

Rischenheim's  eyes  sparkled.  His  shot 
had  told :  the  King's  attention  was  his,  the 
coats  of  the  dogs  were  forgotten.  Plainly 
he  had  stirred  the  suspicions  and  jealousy  of 
the  King. 

"My  cousin,"  he  continued,  "conceives  it 
his  duty  to  lay  the  letter  before  your  Majesty. 
He  obtained  it " 

"A  curse  on  how  he  got  it!     Give  it  mc." 

Rischenheim  unbuttoned  his  coat,  then  his 
waistcoat.  The  head  of  a  revolver  showed 
in  a  belt  round  his  waist.  He  undid  the  flap 
of  a  pocket  in  the  lining  of  his  waistcoat, 
and  began  to  draw  out  a  sheet  of  paper. 

But  Rudolf,  great  as  his  powers  of  self- 
control  were,  was  but  human.  When  he 
saw  the  paper,  he  leant  forward,  half  rising 
from  his  chair.  As  a  result,  his  face  came 
beyond  the  shadow  of  the  curtain,  and  the 
full  morning  light  beat  on  it.  As  Rischen- 
heim took  the  paper  out,  he  looked  up.  He 
saw  the  face  that  glared  so  eagerly  at  him; 
his  eyes  met  Rassendyll' s :    a  sudden  suspi- 


86  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

cion  seized  him,  for  the  face,  though  the 
King's  face  in  every  feature,  bore  a  stern 
resolution  and  witnessed  a  vigour  that  were 
not  the  King's.  In  that  instant  the  truth,  or 
a  hint  of  it,  flashed  across  his  mind.  He 
gave  a  half- articulate  cry ;  in  one  hand  he 
crumpled  up  the  paper,  the  other  flew  to  his 
revolver.  But  he  was  too  late.  Rudolf's 
left  hand  encircled  his  hand  and  the  paper 
in  an  iron  grip  ;  Rudolf's  revolver  was  on 
his  temple;  and  an  arm  was  stretched  out 
from  behind  the  curtain,  holding  another 
barrel  full  before  his  eyes,  while  a  dry  voice 
said:  "You'd  best  take  it  quietly."  Then 
Sapt  stepped  out. 

Rischenheim  had  no  words  to  meet  the 
sudden  transformation  of  the  interview.  He 
seemed  to  be  able  to  do  nothing  but  stare  at 
Rudolf  Rassendyll.  Sapt  wasted  no  time. 
He  snatched  the  Count's  revolver  and  stowed 
it  in  his  own  pocket. 

"Now  take  the  paper,"  said  he  to  Rudolf, 
and  his  barrel  held  Rischenheim  motionless 
while  Rudolf  wrenched  the  precious  docu- 
ment from  his  fingers.  **  Look  if  it 's  the 
right  one.  No,  don't  read  it  through  ;  just 
look.  Is  it  right?  That's  good.  Now  put 
your  revolver  to  his  head  again.  I  'm  going 
to  search  him.     Stand  up,  sir !  " 

They  compelled  the  Count  to  stand  up, 
and  Sapt  subjected  him  to  a  search  that 
made  the  concealment   of   another  copy,   or 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF    THE    KING.  87 

of  any  other  document,  impossible.  Then 
they  let  him  sit  down  again.  His  eyes 
seemed  fascinated  by  Rudolf  Rassendyll. 

"Yet  you've  seen  me  before,  I  think," 
smiled  Rudolf.  "  I  seem  to  remember  you 
as  a  boy  in  Strelsau  when  I  was  there. 
Now  tell  us,  sir,  where  did  you  leave  this 
cousin  of  yours  ?  "  For  the  plan  was  to  find 
out  from  Rischenheim  where  Rupert  "was, 
and  to  set  off  in  pursuit  of  Rupert  as  soon 
as  they  had  disposed  of  Rischenheim. 

But  even  as  Rudolf  spoke  there  was  a 
violent  knock  at  the  door.  Rudolf  sprang  to 
open  it.  Sapt  and  his  revolver  kept  their 
places.  Bernenstein  was  on  the  threshold, 
open-mouthed. 

"The  King's  servant  has  just  gone  by. 
He 's  looking  for  Colonel  Sapt.  The  King 
has  been  walking  in  the  drive,  and  leawit 
from  a  sentry  of  Rischenheim 's  arrival.  I 
told  the  man  that  you  had  taken  the 
Count  for  a  stroll  round  the  Castle,  and 
I  did  not  know  where  you  were.  He  says 
that  the  King  may  come  himself  at  any 
moment." 

Sapt  considered  for  one  short  instant;  then 
he  was  back  by  the  prisoner's  side. 

"We  must  talk  again  later  on,"  he  said, 
in  low  quick  tones.  "Now  you're  going  to 
breakfast  with  the  King.  I  shall  be  there, 
and  Bernenstein.  Remember,  not  a  word  of 
your  errand,  not  a  word  of  this  gentleman! 


88  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

At  a  word,  a  sign,  a  hint,  a  gesture,  a  motion, 
as  God  lives,  I  '11  put  a  bullet  through  your 
head,  and  a  thousand  kings  shan't  stop  me. 
Rudolf,  get  behind  the  curtain.  If  there's 
an  alarm  you  must  jump  through  the  window 
into  the  moat  and  swim  for  it." 

"All  right,"  said  Rudolf  Rassendyll.  "I 
can  read  my  letter  there." 

"Burn  it,  you  fool!" 

"When  I've  read  it  I'll  eat  it,  if  you  like, 
but  not  before." 

Bernenstein  looked  in  again. 

"  Quick,  quick !  The  man  will  be  back," 
he  whispered. 

"Bernenstein,  did  you  hear  what  I  said  to 
the  Count?" 

"Yes,  I  heard." 

"  Then  you  know  your  part.  Now,  gentle- 
men, to  the  King." 

"Well,"  said  an  angry  voice  outside,  "I 
wondered  how  long  I  was  to  be  kept 
waiting." 

Rudolf  Rassendyll  skipped  behind  the  cur- 
tain. Sapt's  revolver  slipped  into  a  handy 
pocket  Rischenheim  stood  with  arms 
dangling  by  his  side  and  his  waistcoat  half 
unbuttoned.  Young  Bernenstein  was  bowing 
low  on  the  threshold,  and  protesting  that  the 
King's  servant  had  but  just  gone,  and  that 
they  were  on  the  point  of  waiting  on  his 
Majesty.  Then  the  King  walked  in,  pale  and 
full-bearded. 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF   THE    KING.  89 


"Ah,  Count,"  said  he,  "I'm  glad  to  sec 
you.  If  they  had  told  me  you  were  here, 
you  shouldn't  have  waited  a  minute.  You  're 
very  dark  in  here,  Sapt.  Why  don't  you 
draw  back  the  curtains  ? " :  and  the  King 
moved  towards  the  curtain  behind  which 
Rudolf  was. 

"Allow  me,  sire,"  cried  Sapt,  darting  past 
him  and  laying  a  hand  on  the  curtain. 

A  malicious  gleam  of  pleasure  shot  into 
Rischenheim's  eyes. 

"  In  truth,  sire,"  continued  the  Constable, 
his  hand  on  the  curtain,  "  we  were  so  inter- 
ested in  what  the  Count  was  saying  about  his 
dogs " 

"  By  heaven,  I  forgot ! "  cried  the  King. 
"  Yes,  yes,  the  dogs.    Now  tell  me,  Count " 

"Your  pardon,  sire,"  put  in  young  Ber- 
nenstein,  "but  breakfast  waits." 

"Yes,  yes.  Well,  then,  we'll  have  them 
together  —  breakfast  and  the  dogs.  Come 
along.  Count."  The  King  passed  his  arm 
through  Rischenheim's,  adding  to  Bernen- 
stein,  "Lead  the  way.  Lieutenant;  and  you, 
Colonel,  come  with  us." 

They  went  out.  Sapt  stopped  and  locked 
the  door  behind  him. 

"Why  do  you  lock  the  door,  Colonel?" 
asked  the  King. 

"There  are  some  papers  in  my  drawer 
there,  sire." 

"But  why  not  lock  the  drawer?" 


go  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

**I  have  lost  the  key,  sire,  like  the  fool  I 
am,"  said  the  Colonel. 

The  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  did  not 
make  a  very  good  breakfast.  He  sat  opposite 
to  the  King.  Colonel  Sapt  placed  himself  at 
the  back  of  the  King's  chair,  and  Rischenheim 
saw  the  muzzle  of  a  revolver  resting  on  the 
top  of  the  chair  just  behind  his  Majesty's 
right  ear.  Bernenstein  stood  in  soldierly 
rigidity  by  the  door ;  Rischenheim  looked 
round  at  him  once,  and  met  a  most  significant 
gaze. 

"You're  eating  nothing,"  said  the  King. 
**  I  hope  you  're  not  indisposed  ?  " 

"  I  am  a  little  upset,  sire,"  stammered 
Rischenheim,  and  truly  enough. 

"Well,  tell  me  about  the  dogs  while  I  eat; 
for  I'm  hungry." 

Rischenheim  began  to  disclose  his  secret. 
His  statement  was  decidedly  wanting  in 
clearness.    The  King  grew  impatient. 

"  I  don't  understand,"  said  he  testily,  and 
he  pushed  his  chair  back  so  quickly  that  Sapt 
skipped  away,  and  hid  the  revolver  behind 
his  back. 

"  Sire "   cried   Rischenheim,  half  rising. 

A  cough  from  Lieutenant  von  Bernenstein 
interrupted  him. 

"Tell  it  me  all  over  again,"  said  the  King. 

Rischenheim  did  as  he  was  bid. 

"Ah,  I  understand  a  little  better  now.  Do 
you    see,    Sapt  ? "    and    he    turned    his    head 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF    THE    KING.  gi 

round  towards  the  Constable.  Sapt  had  just 
time  to  whisk  the  revolver  away.  The  Count 
leant  forward  towards  the  King.  Lieutenant 
von  Bernenstein  coughed.  The  Count  sank 
back  again. 

"  Perfectly,  sire,"  said  Colonel  Sapt.  "  I 
understand  all  the  Count  wishes  to  convey  to 
your  Majesty." 

"Well,  I  understand  about  half,"  said  the 
King  with  a  laugh.  "But  perhaps  that'll  be 
enough." 

*'  I  think  quite  enough,  sire,"  answered 
Sapt  with  a  smile. 

The  important  matter  of  the  dogs  being 
thus  disposed  of,  the  King  recollected  that 
the  Count  had  asked  for  an  audience  on  a 
matter  of  business. 

"  Now  what  did  you  wish  to  say  to  me  ?  " 
he  asked  with  a  weary  air.  The  dogs  had 
been  more  interesting. 

Rischenheim  looked  at  Sapt.  The  revolver 
was  in  its  place ;  Bernenstein  coughed  again. 
Yet  he  saw  a  chance. 

"  Your  pardon,  sire,"  said  he,  "  but  we  are 
not  alone." 

The  King  lifted  his  eyebrows. 

**  Is  the  business  so  private  ?  "  he  asked. 

"I  should  prefer  to  tell  it  to  your  Majesty 
alone,"  pleaded  the  Count. 

Now  Sapt  was  resolved  not  to  leave 
Rischenheim  alone  with  the  King,  for  although 
the  Count,  being  robbed  of  his  evidence,  could 


92  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

do  little  harm  concerning  the  letter,  he  would 
doubtless  tell  the  King  that  Rudolf  Rassendyll 
was  in  the  Castle.  He  leant  now  over  the 
King's  shoulder,  and  said  with  a  sneer : 

"  Messages  from  Rupert  of  Hentzau  are 
too  exalted  matters  for  my  poor  ears,  it 
seems." 

The  King  flushed  red. 

"  Is  that  your  business,  my  lord  ? "  he 
asked  Rischenheim  sternly. 

"Your  Majesty  does  not  know  what  my 
cousin " 

♦*  It  is  the  old  plea  ?  "  interrupted  the  King. 
"He  wants  to  come  back?  Is  that  all,  or  is 
there  anything  else  ?  " 

A  moment's  silence  followed  the  King's 
words.  Sapt  looked  full  at  Rischenheim,  and 
smiled  as  he  slightly  raised  his  right  hand  and 
showed  the  revolver.  Bernenstein  coughed 
twice.  Rischenheim  sat  twisting  his  fingers. 
He  understood  that,  cost  what  it  might,  they 
would  not  let  him  declare  his  errand  to  the 
King  or  betray  Mr.  Rassendyll's  presence. 
He  cleared  his  throat  and  opened  his  mouth 
as  if  to  speak ;   but  still  he  remained  silent. 

"Well,  my  lord,  is  it  the  old  story  or 
something  new  ?  "  asked  the  King  impatiently. 

Again  Rischenheim  sat  silent. 

"  Are  you  dumb,  my  lord  ? "  cried  the 
King  most  impatiently. 

"It— it  is — only  what  you  call  the  old 
story,  sire." 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF    THE    KING.  93 

"Then  let  me  say  that  you  have  treated 
me  very  badly  in  obtaining  an  audience  of 
me  for  any  such  purpose,"  said  the  King. 
"  You  knew  my  decision,  and  your  cousin 
knows  it." 

Thus  speaking  the  King  rose ;  Sapt's 
revolver  slid  into  his  pocket ;  but  Lieutenant 
von  Bernenstein  drew  his  sword  and  stood 
at  the  salute ;   he  also  coughed. 

**  My  dear  Rischenheim,"  pursued  the  King 
more  kindly,  "I  can  allow  for  your  natural 
affection.  But,  believe  me,  in  this  case  it 
misleads  you.  Do  me  the  favour  not  to  open 
this  subject  again  to  me." 

Rischenheim,  humiliated  and  angry,  could 
do  nothing  but  bow  in  acknowledgment  of 
the  King's  rebuke. 

"  Colonel  Sapt,  see  that  the  Count  is  well 
entertained.  My  horse  should  be  at  the  door 
by  now.  Farewell,  Count.  Bernenstein,  give 
me  your  arm." 

Bernenstein  shot  a  rapid  glance  at  the 
Constable.  Sapt  nodded  reassuringly.  Ber- 
nenstein sheathed  his  sword  and  gave  his 
arm  to  the  King.  They  passed  through  the 
door,  and  Bernenstein  closed  it  with  a  back- 
ward push  of  his  hand.  But  at  this  moment 
Rischenheim,  goaded  to  fury  and  desperate 
at  the  trick  played  on  him— seeing,  moreover, 
that  he  had  now  only  one  man  to  deal  with 
— made  a  sudden  rush  at  the  door.  He 
reached  it,  and  his  hand  was  on  the  door- 


94  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

knob.  But  Sapt  was  upon  him,  and  Sapt's 
revolver  was  at  his  ear. 

In  the  passage  the  King  stopped. 

"What  are  they  doing  in  there  ?  "  he  asked, 
hearing  the  noise  of  the  quick  movements. 

**  I  don't  know,  sire,"  said  Bernenstein,  and 
he  took  a  step  forward. 

"No,  stop  a  minute,  Lieutenant :  you  're 
pulling  me  along  !  " 

**A  thousand  pardons,  sire." 

**I  hear  nothing  more  now."  And  there 
was  nothing  to  hear,  for  the  two  now  stood 
dead  silent  inside  the  door. 

**  Nor  I,  sire.  Will  your  Majesty  go  on  ?  " 
And  Bernenstein  took  another  step. 

"You're  determined  I  shall,"  said  the  King 
with  a  laugh,  and  he  let  the  young  officer 
lead  him  away. 

Inside  the  room,  Rischenheim  stood  with 
his  back  against  the  door.  He  was  panting 
for  breath,  and  his  face  wa9  flushed  and 
working  with  excitement.  Opposite  to  him 
stood  Sapt,  revolver  in  hand. 

"Till  you  get  to  heaven,  my  lord,"  said  the 
Constable,  "you'll  never  be  nearer  to  it  than 
you  were  in  that  moment.  If  you  had  opened 
the  door,  I  'd  have  shot  you  through  the 
head." 

As  he  spoke  there  came  a  knock  at  the  door. 

"  Open  it,"  he  said  brusquely  to  Rischen- 
heim. With  a  muttered  curse  the  Count 
obeyed  him.    A  servant  stood  outside  with  a 


AN    AUDIENCE    OF    THE    KING.  95 

telegram  on  a  salver.  "  Take  it,"  whispered 
Sapt,  and  Rischenheim  put  out  his  hand. 

"  Your  pardon,  my  lord,  but  this  has  arrived 
for  you,"  said  the  man  respectfully. 

"Take  it,"  whispered  Sapt  again. 

"  Give  it  me,"  muttered  Rischenheim  con- 
fusedly ;    and  he  took  the  envelope. 

The  servant  bowed  and  shut  the  door. 

"Open  it,"  commanded  Sapt. 

"God's  curse  on  you!"  cried  Rischenheim, 
in  a  voice  that  choked  with  passion. 

"  Eh  ?  Oh,  you  can  have  no  secrets  from 
so  good  a  friend  as  I  am,  my  lord.  Be  quick 
and  open  it." 

The  Count  began  to  open  it. 

"If  you  tear  it  up  or  crumple  it,  I'll  shoot 
you,"  said  Sapt  quietly.  "You  know  you  can 
trust  my  word.     Now  read  it." 

"By  God,  I  won't  read  it!" 

"  Read  it,  I  tell  you,  or  say  your  prayers." 

The  muzzle  was  within  a  foot  of  his  head. 
He  unfolded  the  telegram.  Then  he  looked 
at  Sapt. 

"Read,"  said  the  Constable. 

"  I  don't  understand  what  it  means," 
grumbled   Rischenheim. 

"  Possibly  I  may  be  able  to  help  you." 

"  It 's  nothing  but " 

"  Read,  my  lord,  read  !  " 

Then  he  read,  and  this  was  the  telegram : 

"  Holf,  19  Konigstrasse," 


RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


"A  thousand  thanks,  my  lord.  And  the 
place  it 's  despatched  from  ?  " 

**  Strelsau." 

"Just  turn  it  so  that  I  can  see.  Oh,  I 
don't  doubt  you,  but  seeing  is  believing.  Ah, 
thanks.  It 's  as  you  say.  You  're  puzzled 
what  it  means.  Count  ?  " 

"I  don't  know  at  all  what  it  means." 

**  How  strange !  Because  I  can  guess  so 
well." 

"You  are  very  acute,  sir." 

**It  seems  to  me  a  simple  thing  to  guess, 
my  lord." 

"And  pray,"  said  Rischenheim,  endeavour- 
ing to  assume  an  easy  and  sarcastic  air, 
"what  does  your  wisdom  tell  you  that  the 
message  means?" 

"I  think,  my  lord,  that  the  message  is  an 
address." 

"An  address!  I  never  thought  of  that. 
But  I  know  no  Holf." 

"I  don't  think  it's  Holfs  address." 

"Whose  then?"  asked  Rischenheim,  biting 
his  nail,  and  looking  furtively  at  the  Constable. 

"Why,"  said  Sapt,  "the  present  address  of 
Count  Rupert  of  Hentzau." 

As  he  spoke,  he  fixed  his  eyes  on  the  eyes 
of  Rischenheim.  He  gave  a  short  sharp 
laugh,  then  put  his  revolver  in  his  pocket 
and  bowed  to  the  Count. 

"  In  truth,  you  are  very  convenient,  my 
dear  Count,"  said  he. 


CHAPTER    VI. 
THE    TASK     OF     THE     QUEEN'S     SERVANTS. 

THE  doctor  who  had  attended  me  at 
Wintenberg  was  not  only  discreet,  but 
also  indulgent :  perhaps  he  had  the 
sense  to  see  that  little  benefit  would  come 
to  a  sick  man  from  fretting  in  helplessness 
on  his  back,  when  he  was  on  fire  to  be  afoot. 
I  fear  he  thought  the  baker's  rolling-pin  was 
in  my  mind,  but  at  any  rate  I  extorted  a 
consent  from  him,  and  was  on  my  way  home 
from  Wintenberg  not  much  more  than  twelve 
hours  after  Rudolf  Rassendyll  left  me.  Thus 
I  arrived  at  my  own  house  in  Strelsau  on 
the  same  Friday  morning  that  witnessed  the 
Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim's  twofold  inter- 
view with  the  King  at  the  Castle  of  Zenda. 
The  moment  I  had  arrived,  I  sent  James, 
whose  assistance  had  been,  and  continued  to 
be,  in  all  respects  most  valuable,  to  despatch 
a  message  to  the  Constable,  acquainting  him 
with  my  whereabouts  and  putting  myself 
entirely  at  his  disposal.  Sapt  received  this 
message  while  a  council  of  war  was  being 
held,  and  the  information  it  gave  aided  not 
a  little  in  the  arrangements  that  the  Constable 
and    Rudolf   Rassendyll  made.     What  these 

7 

07 


gS  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

were  I  must  now  relate,  although,  I  fear,  at 
the  risk  of  some  tediousness. 

Yet  that  council  of  war  in  Zenda  was  held 
under  no  common  circumstances.  Cowed  as 
Rischenheim  appeared,  they  dared  not  let 
him  out  of  their  sight ;  Rudolf  could  not  leave 
the  room  into  which  Sapt  had  locked  him  ; 
the  King's  absence  was  to  be  short,  and 
before  he  came  again  Rudolf  must  be  gone, 
Rischenheim  safely  disposed  of,  and  measures 
taken  against  the  original  letter  reaching  the 
hands  for  which  the  intercepted  copy  had 
been  destined.  The  room  was  a  large  one. 
In  the  corner  farthest  from  the  door  sat 
Rischenheim,  disarmed,  dispirited,  to  all 
seeming  ready  to  throw  up  his  dangerous 
game  and  acquiesce  in  any  terms  presented 
to  him.  Just  inside  the  door,  guarding  it,  if 
need  should  be,  with  their  lives,  were  the 
other  three,  Bernenstein  merry  and  triumph- 
ant, Sapt  blunt  and  cool,  Rudolf  calm  and 
clear-headed.  The  Queen  awaited  the  result 
of  their  deliberations  in  her  apartments,  ready 
to  act  as  they  directed,  but  determined  to 
see  Rudolf  before  he  left  the  Castle»  "  They 
conversed  together  in  low  tones.  Presently 
Sapt  took  paper  and  wrote.  This  first 
message  was  to  me,  and  it  bade  me  come 
to  Zenda  that  afternoon  ;  another  head  and 
another  pair  of  hands  were  sadly  needed. 
Then  followed  more  deliberation ;  Rudolf 
took    up    the    talking   now,  for  his  was   the 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.      99 

bold  plan  on  which  they  consulted.  Sapt 
twirled  his  moustache,   smiling  doubtfully. 

**  Yes,  yes,"  murmured  young  Bernenstein, 
his  eyes  alight  with  excitement. 

''It's  dangerous,  but  the  best  thing,*'  said 
Rudolf,  carefully  sinking  his  voice  yet  lower, 
lest  the  prisoner  should  catch  the  lightest  word 
of  what  he  said.  "  It  involves  my  staying 
here  till  the  evening.     Is  that  possible  ?  " 

"  No ;  but  you  can  leave  here  and  hide 
in  the  forest  till  I  join  you,"   said  Sapt. 

"Till  we  join  you,"  corrected  Bernen- 
stein eagerly. 

"No,"  said  the  Constable,  "  you  must  look 
after  our  friend  here.  Come,  Lieutenant,  it 's 
all  in  the  Queen's  service." 

"  Besides,"  added  Rudolf  with  a  smile, 
"  neither  the  Colonel  nor  I  would  let  you 
have  a  chance  at  Rupert.  He's  our  game, 
isn't  he,   Sapt?" 

The  Colonel  nodded.  Rudolf  in  his  turn  took 
paper,  and  here  is  the  message  that  he  wrote : 

"Holf,  ig  KOnigstrasse,  Strelsau.— All  well.  He 
has  what  I  had,  but  wishes  to  see  what  you  have. 
He  and  I  will  be  at  the  hunting-lodge  at  ten  this 
evening.  Bring  it  and  meet  us.  The  business  is 
unsuspected. — L-R." 

Rudolf  flung  the  paper  across  to  Sapt ; 
Bernenstein  leant  over  the  Constable's 
shoulder    and    read    it    eagerly. 

"  I  doubt  if  it  would  bring  me,"  grinned 
old  Sapt,  throwing  the  paper  down. 


lOO  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


"It'll  bring  Rupert  of  Hentzau.  Why 
not  ?  He  '11  know  that  the  King  will  wish 
to  meet  him  unknown  to  the  Queen,  and 
also  unknown  to  you,  Sapt,  since  you  were 
my  friend :  what  place  more  likely  for  the 
King  to  choose  than  his  hunting-lodge, 
where  he  is  accustomed  to  go  when  he 
wishes  to  be  alone  ?  The  message  will  bring 
him,  depend  on  it.  Why,  man,  Rupert  would 
come  even  if  he  suspected;  and  why  should 
he  suspect  ?  " 

"  They  may  have  a  cipher,  he  and 
Rischenheim,"    objected    Sapt. 

"No,  or  Rupert  would  have  sent  the 
address  in  it,"   retorted   Rudolf  quickly. 

"Then — when  he  comes?"  asked  Ber- 
nenstein. 

"  He  finds  such  a  king  as  Rischenheim 
found,  and  Sapt,  here,  at  his  elbow." 

"  But  he'll  know  you,"  objected  Bernenstein. 

"Aye,  I  think  he'll  know  me,"  said 
Rudolf  with  a  smile.  "  Meanwhile  we  send 
for  Fritz  to  come  here  and  look  after  the 
King." 

"  And  Rischenheim  ?  " 

"  That 's  your  share,  Lieutenant.  Sapt,  is 
any  one  at  Tarlenheim  ? " 

"  No.  Count  Stanislas  has  put  it  at  Fritz's 
disposal." 

"  Good ;  then  Fritz's  two  friends,  the 
Count  of  Luzau- Rischenheim  and  Lieutenant 
von  Bernenstein,  will  ride  over  there  to-day* 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.    lOl 

The  Constable  of  Zenda  will  give  the  Lieu- 
tenant twenty-four  hours'  leave  of  absence, 
and  the  two  gentlemen  will  pass  the  day 
and  sleep  at  the  chateau.  They  will  pass 
the  day  side  by  side,  Bernenstein,  not  losing 
sight  of  one  another  for  an  instant,  and  they 
will  pass  the  night  in  the  same  room.  And 
one  of  them  will  not  close  his  eyes  nor 
take  his  hand   off  the   butt  of  his  revolver." 

"  Very  good,  sir,"  said  young  Bernenstein. 

"If  he  tries  to  escape  or  give  any  alarm, 
shoot  him  through  the  head,  ride  to  the 
frontier,  get  to  safe  hiding,  and,  if  you  can, 
let  us   know." 

"  Yes,"  said  Bernenstein  simply.  Sapt 
had  chosen  well,  and  the  young  officer  made 
nothing  of  the  peril  and  ruin  that  Her 
Majesty's   service   might   ask  of   him. 

A  restless  movement  and  a  weary  sigh 
from  Rischenheim  attracted  their  attention. 
He  had  strained  his  ears  to  listen  till  his 
head  ached,  but  the  talkers  had  been  care- 
ful and  he  had  heard  nothing  that  threw 
light  on  their  deliberations.  He  had  now 
given  up  his  vain  attempt,  and  sat  in  listless 
inattention,    sunk  in   an   apathy. 

•*  I  don't  think  he  '11  give  you  much  trouble," 
whispered  Sapt  to  Bernenstein,  with  a  jerk 
of  his  thumb  towards  the   captive. 

"  Act  as  if  he  were  likely  to  give  you 
much,"  urged  Rudolf,  laying  his  hand  on  the 
Lieutenant's  arm. 


I02  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

**  Yes,  that's  a  wise  man's  advice,"  nodded 
the  Constable  approvingly.  "  We  were  well 
governed,  Lieutenant,  when  this  Rudolf  was 
king." 

"  Wasn't  I  also  his  loyal  subject  ?  "  asked 
young   Bernenstein. 

"  Yes,  wounded  in  my  service,"  added 
Rudolf;  for  he  remembered  how  the  boy — 
he  was  little  more  then — had  been  fired  upon 
in  the  park  of  Tarlenheim,  being  taken  for 
Mr.   Rassendyll  himself. 

Thus  their  plans  were  laid.  If  they  could 
defeat  Rupert,  they  would  have  Rischenheim 
at  their  mercy.  If  they  could  keep  Rischen- 
heim out  of  the  way  while  they  used  his 
name  in  their  trick,  they  had  a  strong 
chance  of  deluding  and  killing  Rupert.  Yes, 
of  killing  him ;  for  that  and  nothing  less  was 
their  purpose,  as  the  Constable  of  Zenda 
himself  has  told  me. 

"  We  would  have  stood  on  no  ceremony," 
he  said.  "  The  Queen's  honour  was  at  stake, 
and  the  fellow  himself  an  assassin." 

Bernenstein  rose  and  went  out.  He  was 
gone  about  half  an  hour,  being  employed  in 
despatching  the  telegrams  to  Strelsau.  Rudolf 
and  Sapt  used  the  interval  to  explain  to 
Rischenheim  what  they  proposed  to  do  with 
him.  They  asked  no  pledge,  and  he  offered 
none  He  heard  what  they  said  with  a  dull 
uninterested  air.  When  asked  if  he  would  go 
without  resistance,  he  laughed  a  bitter  laugh. 


THE  TASK  OP  THE  QUEfeN'S  SERVANTS.   'I05 

**  How  can  I  resist  ?  "  he  asked.  "  I  should 
have  a  bullet  through  my  head." 

"  Why,  without  doubt,"  said  Colonel  Sapt. 
*'  My  lord,   you   are  very  sensible." 

**  Let  me  advise  you,  my  lord,"  said  Rudolf, 
looking  down  on  him  kindly  enough,  "if  you 
come  safe  through  this  affair,  to  add  honour 
to  your  prudence,  and  chivalry  to  your 
honour.  There  is  still  time  for  you  to 
become  a   gentleman." 

He  turned  away,  followed  by  a  glance  of 
anger  from  the  Count  and  a  grating  chuckle 
from  old  Sapt. 

A  few  moments  later  Bernenstein  returned. 
His  errand  was  done,  and  horsss  for  himself 
and  Rischenheim  were  at  the  gate  of  the 
Castle.  After  a  few  final  words  and  a  clasp 
of  the  hand  from  Rudolf,  the  Lieutenant 
motioned  to  his  prisoner  to  accompany  him, 
and  they  two  walked  out  together,  being  to 
all  appearance  willing  companions  and  in 
perfect  friendliness  with  one  another.  The 
Queen  herself  watched  them  go  from  the 
windows  of  her  apartment,  and  noticed  that 
Bernenstein  rode  half  a  pace  behind,  and 
that  his  free  hand  rested  on  the  revolver 
by  his  side. 

It  was  now  well  on  in  the  morning,  and 
the  risk  of  Rudolf's  sojourn  in  the  Castle 
grew  greater  with  every  moment.  Yet  he 
was  resolved  to  see  the  Queen  before  he 
went.      This    interview  presented    no    great 


104  RUPERT   OF    HENTZAU. 


difficulties,   since    Her    Majesty   was    in    the 

habit  of  coming  to  the  Constable's  room  to 

take    his    advice    or    to    consult    with    him* 

The  hardest  task  was  to  contrive  afterwards 

a     free     and     unnoticed     escape     for     Mr. 

Rassendyll.      To    meet    this    necessity,    the 

Constable    issued    orders   that    the   company 

of  Guards  which  garrisoned  the  Castle  should 

parade  at  one  o'clock  in  the  park,  and  that 

the  servants  should  all,  after  their  dinner,  be 

granted  permission  to  watch  the  manoeuvres. 

By  this  means    he   counted    on    drawing  off 

any    curious    eyes    and    allowing    Rudolf    to 

reach  the  forest  unobserved.    They  appointed 

a  rendezvous  in  a  handy  and  sheltered  spot; 

the  one  thing  which  they  were  compelled  to 

trust    to    fortune    was    Rudolfs    success    in 

evading  chance  encounters  while  he  waited. 

Mr.  Rassendyll  himself  was  confident  of  his 

ability  to  conceal  his  presence,   or,  if  need 

were,   so   to   hide   his   face  that  no  strange 

tale    of    the    King    being     seen    wandering 

alone  and  beardless   should   reach   the  ears 

of  the  Castle  or  the  town. 

While  Sapt  was  making  his  arrangements. 
Queen  Flavia  came  to  the  room  where 
Rudolf  Rassendyll  was.  It  was  then  nearing 
twelve,  and  young  Bernenstein  had  been 
gone  half  an  hour.  Sapt  attended  her  to 
the  door,  set  a  sentry  at  the  end  of  the 
passage  with  orders  that  Her  Majesty  should 
on   no  pretence   be  disturbed,  promised  her 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.    105 

very  audibly  to  return  as  soon  as  he  possibly 
could,  and  respectfully  closed  the  door  after 
she  had  entered.  The  Constable  was  well 
aware  of  the  value  in  a  secret  business  of 
doing  openly  all  that  can  safely  be  done  with 
openness. 

All  of  what  passed  at  that  interview  I  do 
not  know,  but  a  part  Queen  Flavia  herself 
told  to  me,  or  rather  to  Helga,  my  wife ; 
for  although  it  was  meant  to  reach  my  ear, 
yet  to  me,  a  man,  she  would  not  disclose  it 
directly.  First  she  learnt  from  Mr.  Rassen- 
dyll  the  plans  that  had  been  made,  and, 
although  she  trembled  at  the  danger  that  he 
must  run  in  meeting  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  she 
had  such  love  of  him  and  such  a  trust  in  his 
powers  that  she  seemed  to  doubt  little  of 
his  success.  But  she  began  to  reproach 
herself  for  having  brought  him  into  this 
peril  by  writing  her  letter.  At  this  he  took 
from  his  pocket  the  copy  that  Rischen- 
heim  had  carried.  He  had  found  time  to 
read  it,  and  now  before  her  eyes  he  kissed 
it. 

'*  Had  I  as  many  lives  as  there  are  words, 
my  Queen,"  he  said  softly,  "for  each  word 
I  would  gladly  give  a  life." 

"Ah,  Rudolf,  but  you've  only  one  life,  and 
that  more  mine  than  yours.  Did  you  think 
we  should  ever  meet  again  ?  " 

♦'  I  didn't  know,"  said  he ;  and  now  they 
were  standing  opposite  one  another. 


Io6  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"But  I  knew,"  she  said,  her  eyes  shining 
brightly  ;  "I  knew  always  that  we  should 
meet  once  more.  Not  how,  nor  where,  but 
just  that  we  should.     So  I  lived,  Rudolf." 

**God  bless  you,"  he  said. 

"Yes,  I  lived  through  it  all." 

He  pressed  her  hand,  knowing  what  that 
phrase  meant  and  must  mean  for  her. 

"  Will  it  last  for  ever  ?  "  she  asked,  suddenly 
gripping  his  hand  tightly.  But  a  moment 
later  she  went  on :  "  No,  no,  I  mustn't  make 
you  unhappy,  Rudolf.  I  'm  half  glad  I  wrote 
the  letter,  and  half  glad  they  stole  it.  It's 
so  sweet  to  have  you  fighting  for  me,  for 
me  only  this  time,  Rudolf— not  for  the  King, 
for  me!" 

**  Sweet  indeed,  my  dearest  lady.  Don't 
be  afraid ;   we  shall  win." 

"You  will  win,  yes.  And  then  you '11  go  ?  " 
And,  dropping  his  hands,  she  covered  her 
face  with  hers. 

"I  mustn't  kiss  your  face,"  said  he,  "but 
your  hands  I  may  kiss,"  and  he  kissed  her 
hands  as  they  were  pressed  against  her 
face. 

"  You  wear  my  ring,"  she  murmured 
through  her  fingers,  "  always  ?  " 

"Why,  yes,"  he  said,  with  a  little  laugh 
of  wonder  at  her  question. 

"And  there  is — no  one  else?" 

"My  Queen!"  said  he,  laughing  again. 

"No,  I  knew  really,  Rudolf,  I  knew  really," 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.    107 

and  now  her  hands  flew  out  towards  him, 
imploring  his  pardon.  Then  she  began  to 
speak  quickly :  "  Rudolf,  last  night  I  had  a 
dream  about  you,  a  strange  dream.  I  seemed 
to  be  in  Strelsau,  and  all  the  people  were 
talking  about  the  King.  It  was  you  they 
meant  ;  you  were  the  King.  At  last  you 
were  the  King,  and  I  was  your  Queen. 
But  I  could  see  you  only  very  dimly ;  you 
were  somewhere,  but  I  could  not  make  out 
where  ;  just  sometimes  your  face  came. 
Then  I  tried  to  tell  you  that  you  were  King 
— yes,  and  Colonel  Sapt  and  Fritz  tried  to 
tell  you;  the  people,  too,  called  out  that  you 
were  King.  What  did  it  mean  ?  But  your 
face,  when  I  saw  it,  was  unmoved  and  very 
pale,  and  you  seemed  not  to  hear  what  we 
said,  not  even  what  I  said.  It  almost  seemed 
as  if  you  were  dead,  and  yet  King.  Ah, 
you  mustn't  die,  even  to  be  King,"  and  she 
laid  a  hand  on  his  shoulder. 

**  Sweetheart,"  said  he  gently,  **  in  dreams 
desires  and  fears  blend  in  strange  visions,  so 
I  seemed  to  you  to  be  both  a  king  and  a 
dead  man  ;  but  I  'm  not  a  king,  and  I  am 
a  very  healthy  fellow.  Yet  a  thousand 
thanks  to  my  dearest  Queen  for  dreaming 
of  me." 

"  No,  but  what  could  it  mean  ?  "  she  asked 
again. 

"What  does  it  mean  when  I  dream  always 
of  you,  except  that  I  always  love  you  ?  " 


I08  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"Was  it  only  that?"  she  said,  still  un- 
convinced. 

What  more  passed  between  them  I  do 
not  know.  I  think  that  the  Queen  told  my 
wife  more,  but  women  will  sometimes  keep 
women's  secrets  even  from  their  husbands; 
though  they  love  us,  yet  we  are  always  in 
some  sort  the  common  enemy,  against  whom 
they  join  hands.  Well,  I  would  not  look 
too  far  into  such  secrets,  for  to  know  must 
be,  I  suppose,  to  blame,  and  who  is  him- 
self so  blameless  that  in  such  a  case  he 
would  be  free  with  his  censures? 

Yet  much  cannot  have  passed,  for  almost 
close  on  their  talk  about  the  dream  came 
Colonel  Sapt,  saying  that  the  Guards  were 
in  line,  and  all  the  women  streamed  out  to 
watch  them,  while  the  men  followed,  lest  the 
gay  uniforms  should  make  them  forgotten. 
Certainly  a  quiet  fell  over  the  old  Castle, 
that  only  the  Constable's  curt  tones  broke, 
as  he  bade  Rudolf  come  by  the  back  way 
to  the  stables  and  mount  his  horse. 

**  There  *s  no  time  to  lose,"  said  Sapt, 
and  his  eye  seemed  to  grudge  the  Queen 
even  one  word  more  with  the  man  she 
loved. 

But  Rudolf  was  not  to  be  hurried  into 
leaving  her  in  such  a  fashion.  He  clapped 
the  Constable  on  the  shoulder,  laughing 
and  bidding  him  think  of  what  he  would 
for  a  moment ;   then  he  went  again  to  the 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.    lOg 

Queen  and  would  have  knelt  before  her, 
but  that  she  would  not  suffer,  and  they 
stood  with  hands  locked.  Then  suddenly 
she  drew  him  to  her  and  kissed  his  forehead, 
saying : 

"God  go  with  you,  Rudolf  my  knight." 

Thus  she  turned  away,  letting  him  go. 
He  walked  towards  the  door.  But  a  sound 
arrested  his  steps,  and  he  waited  in  the 
middle  of  the  room,  his  eyes  on  the  door. 
Old  Sapt  flew  to  the  threshold,  his  sword 
half-way  out  of  its  sheath.  There  was  a 
step  coming  down  the  passage,  and  the  feet 
stopped  outside  the  door. 

"Is  it  the  King?"  whispered  Rudolf. 

"I  don't  know,"  said  Sapt. 

"  No,  it 's  not  the  King,"  came  in  un- 
hesitating certainty  from   Queen    Flavia. 

They  waited:  a  low  knock  sounded  on 
the  door.  Still  for  a  moment  they  waited. 
The  knock  was  repeated  urgently. 

"We  must  open,"  said  Sapt.  "Behind 
the  curtain  with    you,   Rudolf!" 

The  Queen  sat  down  and  Sapt  piled  a 
heap  of  papers  before  her,  that  it  might 
seem  as  though  he  and  she  transacted 
business.  But  his  precautions  were  inter- 
rupted by  a  hoarse,  eager,  low  cry  from 
outside : 

"Quick,  in  God's  name,  quick!** 

They  knew  the  voice  for  Bernenstein's. 
The   Queen    sprang   up,    Rudolf  came    out, 


no  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Sapt  turned  the  key.  The  Lieutenant 
entered,  hurried,  breathless,  pale. 

"Well?"  asked  Sapt. 

"He  has  got  away?"  cried  Rudolf,  guess- 
ing in  a  moment  the  misfortune  that  had 
brought   Bernenstein   back. 

"Yes,  he's  got  away.  Just  as  we  left 
the  town  and  reached  the  open  road  towards 
Tarlenheim,  he  said,  *Are  we  going  to  walk 
all  the  way  ? '  I  was  not  loth  to  go  quicker, 
and  we  broke  into  a  trot.  But  I— ah,  what 
a  pestilent  fool  I  am!  " 

"Never  mind  that, — go  on." 

"Why,  I  was  thinking  of  him  and  my 
task,  and  having  a  bullet  ready  for  him, 
and — -" 

"  Of  everything  except  your  horse  ?  " 
guessed  Sapt,  with  a  grim    smile. 

"  Yes ;  and  the  horse  pecked  and  stumbled, 
and  I  fell  forward  on  his  neck.  I  put  out 
my  arm  to  recover  myself,  and — I  jerked  my 
revolver  on  to  the  ground." 

"And  he  saw?" 

"  He  saw,  curse  him !  For  a  second  he 
waited  ;  then  he  smiled,  and  turned,  and 
dug  his  spurs  in  and  was  off,  straight  across 
country  towards  Strelsau.  Well,  I  was  off 
my  horse  in  a  moment,  and  I  fired  three 
times  after  him." 

"You  hit?"  asked  Rudolf. 

"I  think  so.  He  shifted  the  reins  from 
one  hand  to  the  other  and  wrung  his  arm. 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.    HI 

I  mounted  and  made  after  him,  but  his 
horse  was  better  than  mine  and  he  gained 
ground.  We  began  to  meet  people  too, 
and  I  didn't  dare  to  fire  again.  So  I  left 
him  and  rode  here  to  tell  you.  Never 
employ  me  again,  Constable,  as  long  as  you 
live,"  and  the  young  man's  face  was  twisted 
with  misery  and  shame  as,  forgetting  the 
Queen's  presence,  he  sank  despondently  into 
a  chair. 

Sapt  took  no  notice  of  his  self-reproaches. 
But  Rudolf  went  and  laid  a  hand  on  his 
shoulder. 

"It  was  an  accident,"  he  said.  **No 
blame  to  you." 

The  Queen  rose  and  walked  towards  him; 
Bernenstein  sprang  to  his  feet. 

"Sir,"  said  she,  "it  is  not  success  but 
effort  that  should  gain  thanks,"  and  she  held 
out  her  hand. 

Well,  he  was  young;  I  do  not  laugh  at  the 
sob  that  escaped  his  lips  as  he  turned  his  head. 

"  Let  me  try  something  else,"  he  implored. 

"Mr.  Rassendyll,"  said  the  Queen,  "you'll 
do  my  pleasure  by  employing  this  gentle- 
man in  my  further  service.  I  am  already 
deep  in  his  debt,  and  would  be  deeper." 

There  was  a  moment's   silence. 

"Well,  but  what's  to  be  done?"  asked 
Colonel  Sapt.      "He's  gone  to  Strelsau." 

"He'll  stop  Rupert,"  mused  Mr.  Rassendyll. 

"  He  may  or  he  mayn't." 


112  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"It's  odds  that  he  will." 

"We  must  provide  for  both." 

Sapt  and   Rudolf  looked  at   one  another. 

"You  must  be  here?"  asked  Rudolf  of  the 
Constable.  "Well,  I'll  go  to  Strelsau."  His 
smile  broke  out.  "That  is,  if  Bernenstein  '11 
lend  me  a  hat." 

The  Queen  made  no  sound ;  but  she  came 
and  laid  her  hand  on  his  arm.  He  looked 
at  her,   smiling   still. 

"Yes,  I'll  go  to  Strelsau,"  said  he,  "and 
I  '11  find  Rupert,  aye,  and  Rischenheim  too, 
if  they're  in  the   city." 

^*Take  me  with  you,"  cried  Bernenstein 
eagerly. 

Rudolf  glanced  at  Sapt.  The  Constable 
shook  his  head.     Bernenstein's  face  fell. 

"It's  not  that,  boy,"  said  old  Sapt,  half 
in  kindness,  half  in  impatience.  "  We  want 
you  here.  Suppose  Rupert  comes  here  with 
Rischenheim  ! " 

The  idea  was  new,  but  the  event  by  no 
means  unlikely. 

"  But  you  '11  be  here,  Constable,"  urged 
Bernenstein,  "and  Fritz  von  Tarlenheim 
will  arrive  in  an  hour." 

"Aye,  young  man,"  said  Sapt,  nodding 
his  head;  "but  when  I  fight  Rupert  of 
Hentzau,  I  like  to  have  a  man  to  spare," 
and  he  grinned  broadly,  being  no  whit 
afraid  of  what  Bernenstein  might  think  of 
his  courage.    "  Now  go  and  get  him  a  hat," 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.    113 

he   added,    and    the    Lieutenant   ran    off   on 
the    errand. 

But  the   Queen   cried : 

"Are  you  sending  Rudolf  alone,  then — 
alone   against   two  ?  " 

*'  Yes,  madame,  if  I  may  command  the 
campaign,"  said  Sapt.  "  I  take  it  he  should 
be  equal  to  the  task." 

He  could  not  know  the  feelings  of  the 
Queen's  heart.  She  dashed  her  hand  across 
her  eyes  and  turned  in  mute  entreaty  to 
Rudolf  Rassendyll. 

"I  must  go,"  he  said  softly.  "We  can't 
spare  Bemenstein,  and  I  mustn't  stay  here." 

She  said  no  more.  Rudolf  walked  across 
to  Sapt. 

"Take  me  to  the  stables.  Is  the  horse 
good?  I  daren't  take  the  train.  Ah,  here's 
the   Lieutenant   and  the   hat." 

"The  horse '11  get  you  there  to-night," 
said  Sapt.  "Come  along.  Bemenstein,  stay 
with  the   Queen." 

At  the  threshold  Rudolf  paused  and, 
turning  his  head,  glanced  once  at  Queen 
Flavia,  who  stood  still  as  a  statue,  watching 
him  go.  Then  he  followed  the  Constable, 
who  brought  him  where  the  horse  was. 
Sapt '3  devices  for  securing  freedom  from 
observation  had  served  well,  and  Rudolf 
mounted  unmolested. 

"The  hat  doesn't  fit  very  well,"  said 
Rudolf. 

8 


114  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  Like  a  crown  better,  eh  ? "  suggested 
the  Colonel. 

Rudolf  laughed  as  he  asked  : 

"  Well,  what  are  my  orders  ?  " 

**  Ride  round  by  the  moat  to  the  road  at 
the  back ;  then  through  the  forest  to  Hof bau ; 
you  know  your  way  after  that.  You  mustn't 
reach  Strelsau  till  it's  dark.  Then,  if  you 
want  a  shelter " 

"To  Fritz  von  Tarlenheim's,  yes!  From 
there  I  shall  go  straight  to  the  address." 

"Aye.    And Rudolf!" 

"Yes?" 

"Make   an   end  of   him  this  time." 

"Please  God.  But  if  he  goes  to  the 
lodge?  He  will  unless  Rischenheim  stops 
him." 

"I'll  be  there  in  case,  but  I  think 
Rischenheim  will  stop  him." 

"If  he  comes  here  ? " 

"Young  Bernenstein  will  die  before  he 
allows  him  to  reach  the  King." 

"  Sapt ! " 

"Aye?" 

"Be  kind  to  her." 

"  Bless  the  man,  yes !  " 

"Good-by«." 

"And   good-luck." 

At  a  swift  canter  Rudolf  darted  round 
the  drive  that  led  from  the  stables,  by  the 
moat,  to  the  old  forest  road  behind ;  five 
minutes  brought  him    within    the   shelter  of 


THE  TASK  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  SERVANTS.    II5 

the  trees,  and  he  rode  on  confidently, 
meeting  nobody,  save  here  and  there  a 
yokel,  who,  seeing  a  man  ride  hard  with 
his  head  averted,  took  no  more  notice  of 
him  than  to  wish  that  he  himself  could  ride 
abroad  instead  of  being  bound  to  work. 
Thus  Rudolf  Rasscndyll  set  out  again  for 
the  walls  of  Strelsau,  through  the  forest  of 
Zenda.  And  ahead  of  him,  with  an  hour's 
start,  galloped  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischen- 
heim,  again  a  man,  and  a  man  with  resolu- 
tion, resentment,  and  revenge  in  his  heart. 
The  game  was  afoot  now;  who  could  tell 
the  issue  of  it? 


CHAPTER    VII. 
THE  MESSAGE  OF  SIMON  THE  HUNTSMAN. 

I  RECEIVED  the  telegram  sent  to  me  by 
the  Constable  of  Zenda  at  my  own  house 
in  Strelsau  about  one  o'clock.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  I  made  immediate  pre- 
parations to  obey  the  summons.  My  wife 
indeed  protested — and  I  must  admit  with 
some  show  of  reason — that  I  was  unfit  to 
endure  fatigues,  and  that  my  bed  was  the 
only  proper  place  for  me.  I  could  not 
listen;  and  James,  Mr.  Rassendyll's  servant, 
being  informed  of  the  message,  was  at  my 
elbow  with  a  card  of  the  trains  from  Strelsau 
to  Zenda,  without  waiting  for  any  order 
from  me.  I  had  talked  to  this  man  in  the 
course  of  our  journey,  and  discovered  that 
he  had  been  in  the  service  of  Lord  Topham, 
formerly  British  Ambassador  to  the  Court 
of  Ruritania.  How  far  he  was  acquainted 
with  the  secrets  of  his  present  master 
I  did  not  know,  but  his  familiarity  with 
the  city  and  the  country  made  him  of  great 
use  to  me.  We  discovered,  to  our  annoy- 
ance, that  no  train  left  till  four  o'clock, 
and  then  only  a  slow  one;   the  result  being 


ii6 


THE  MESSAGE  OF  SIMON.  XI7 

that  we  could  not  arrive  at  the  Castle  till 
past  six  o'clock.  This  hour  was  not  abso- 
lutely too  late,  but  I  was  of  course  eager 
to  be  on  the  scene  of  action  as  early  as 
possible. 

"You'd  better  see  if  you  can  get  a  special, 
my  lord,"  James  suggested;  "I'll  run  on  to 
the  station  and  arrange  about  it." 

I  agreed.  Since  I  was  known  to  be  often 
employed  in  the  King's  service,  I  could  take 
a  special  train  without  exciting  remark. 
James  set  out,  and  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
later  I  got  into  my  carriage  to  drive  to  the 
station.  Just  as  the  horses  were  about  to 
start,  however,  the  butler  approached  me. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  my  lord,"  said  he, 
"but  Bauer  didn't  return  with  your  lordship. 
Is  he  coming  back  ?  " 

"No,"  said  I.  "Bauer  was  grossly  im- 
pertinent on  the  journey,  and  I  dismissed 
him." 

"  Those  foreign  men  are  never  to  be  trusted, 
my  lord.    And  your  lordship's  bag  ?  " 

"What,  hasn't  it  come?"  I  cried.  "I  told 
him  to  send  it." 

"It's  not  arrived,  my  lord." 

"  Can  the  rogue  have  stolen  it  ? "  I  ex- 
claimed indignantly. 

"  If  your  lordship  wishes  it,  I  will  mention 
the  matter  to  the  police." 

I  appeared  to  consider  this  proposal. 

"Wait  till  I  come  back,"  I  ended  by  saying. 


11 8  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"The  bag  may  come,  and  I  have  no  reason 
to  doubt  the  fellow's  honesty." 

This,  I  thought,  would  be  the  end  of  my 
connection  with  Master  Bauer.  He  had 
served  Rupert's  turn,  and  would  now  dis- 
appear from  the  scene.  Indeed  it  may  be 
that  Rupert  would  have  liked  to  dispense 
with  further  aid  from  him ;  but  he  had  few 
whom  he  could  trust,  and  was  compelled  to 
employ  those  few  more  than  once.  At  any 
rate  he  had  not  done  with  Bauer,  and  I  very 
soon  received  proof  of  the  fact.  My  house  is 
a  couple  of  miles  from  the  station,  and  we 
had  to  pass  through  a  considerable  part  of 
the  old  town,  where  the  streets  are  narrow 
and  tortuous  and  progress  necessarily  slow. 
We  had  just  entered  the  Konigstrasse  (and  it 
must  be  remembered  that  I  had  at  that  time  no 
reason  for  attaching  any  special  significance 
to  this  locality),  and  were  v>^aiting  impatiently 
for  a  heavy  dray  to  move  out  of  our  path, 
when  my  coachman,  who  had  overheard  the 
butler's  conversation  with  me,  leant  down 
from  his  box  with  an  air  of  lively  excitement. 

"  My  lord,"  he  cried,  "  there 's  Bauer — 
there,  passing  the  butcher's  shop  ! " 

I  sprang  up  in  the  carriage  ;  the  man's 
back  was  towards  me,  and  he  was  threading 
his  way  through  the  people  with  a  quick 
stealthy  tread.  I  believe  he  must  have  seen 
mc  and  was  slinking  off  as  fast  as  he 
could.     I  was  not  sure  of  him,  but  the  coach- 


THE  MESSAGE  OF  SIMON.  II9 

man  banished  my  doubt  by  saying:  "It's 
Bauer— it 's  certainly  Bauer,  my  lord." 

I  hardly  stayed  to  form  a  resolution.  If 
I  could  catch  this  fellow  or  even  see  where 
he  went,  a  most  important  clue  as  to  Rupert's 
doings  and  whereabouts  might  be  put  into 
my  hand.  I  leapt  out  of  the  cannagc,  bidding 
the  man  wait,  and  at  once  started  in  pursuit 
of  my  former  servant.  I  heard  the  coachman 
laugh :  he  thought,  no  doubt,  that  anxiety  for 
the  missing  bag  inspired  such  eager  haste. 

The  numbers  of  the  houses  in  the  Konig- 
strasse  begin,  as  anybody  familiar  with 
Strelsau  will  remember,  at  the  end  adjoining 
the  station.  The  street  being  a  long  one, 
intersecting  almost  the  entire  length  of  the 
old  town,  I  was,  when  I  set  out  after  Bauer, 
opposite  number  three  hundred  or  there- 
abouts, and  distant  nearly  three-quarters  of 
a  mile  from  that  important  number  nineteen, 
towards  which  Bauer  was  hurrying  like  a 
rabbit  to  its  burrow.  I  knew  nothing  and 
thought  nothing  of  where  he  was  going ;  to 
me  nineteen  was  no  more  than  eighteen  or 
twenty ;  my  only  desire  was  to  overtake  him. 
I  had  no  clear  idea  of  what  I  meant  to  do 
when  I  caught  him,  but  I  had  some  hazy 
notion  of  intimidating  him  into  giving  up  his 
secret  by  the  threat  of  an  accusation  of  theft. 
In  fact  he  had  stolen  my  bag.  After  him 
I  went ;  and  he  knew  that  I  was  after  him. 
I  saw  him  turn  his  face   over  his  shoulder, 


120  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

and  then  bustle  on  faster.  Neither  of  us, 
pursued  or  pursuer,  dared  quite  to  run  ;  as 
it  was,  our  eager  strides  and  our  carelessness 
of  collisions  created  more  than  enough  atten- 
tion. But  I  had  one  advantage.  Most  folk 
in  Strelsau  knew  me,  and  many  got  out  of 
my  way  who  were  by  no  means  inclined  to 
pay  a  like  civility  to  Bauer.  Thus  I  began 
to  gain  on  him,  in  spite  of  his  haste ;  I  had 
started  fifty  yards  behind,  but  as  we  neared 
the  end  of  the  street  and  saw  the  station 
ahead  of  us,  not  more  than  twenty  separated 
me  from  him.  Then  an  annoying  thing  hap- 
pened. I  ran  full  into  a  stout  old  gentleman  ; 
Bauer  had  run  into  him  before,  and  he  was 
standing,  as  people  will,  staring  in  resentful 
astonishment  at  his  first  assailant's  retreating 
figure.  The  second  collision  immensely  in- 
creased his  vexation  ;  for  me  it  had  yet 
worse  consequences  ;  for  when  I  disentangled 
myself,  Bauer  was  gone !  There  was  not  a 
sign  of  him  ;  I  looked  up  :  the  number  of  the 
house  above  me  was  twenty-three ;  but  the 
door  was  shut.  I  walked  on  a  few  paces, 
past  twenty- two,  past  twenty- one — and  up  to 
nineteen.  Nineteen  was  an  old  house,  with 
a  dirty  dilapidated  front  and  an  air  almost 
dissipated.  It  was  a  shop  where  provisions 
of  the  cheaper  sort  were  on  view  in  the 
window,  things  that  one  has  never  eaten 
but  has  heard  of  people  eating.  The  shop- 
door  stood  open,  but  there  was  nothing  to 


THE   MESSAGE  OF  SIMON.  121 

connect  Bauer  with  the  house.  Muttering 
an  oath  in  my  exasperation,  I  was  about  to 
pass  on,  when  an  old  woman  put  her  head 
out  of  the  door  and  looked  round.  I  was 
full  in  front  of  her.  I  am  sure  that  the  old 
woman  started  slightly,  and  I  think  that  I 
did.  For  I  knew  her,  and  she  knew  me. 
She  was  old  mother  Holf,  one  of  whose 
sons,  Johann,  had  betrayed  to  us  the  secret 
of  the  dungeon  at  Zenda,  while  the  other 
had  died  by  Mr.  Rassendyll's  hand  by  the 
side  of  the  great  pipe  that  masked  the 
King's  window.  Her  presence  might  mean 
nothing,  yet  it  seemed  to  connect  the  house 
at  once  with  the  secret  of  the  past  and  the 
crisis  of  the  present. 

She  recovered  herself  in  a  moment,  and 
curtseyed  to  me. 

*'Ah,  mother  Holf,"  said  I,  "how  long  is 
it  since  you  set  up  shop  in  Strelsau  ?  " 

"About  six  months,  my  lord,"  she  answered, 
with  a  composed  air  and  arms  akimbo. 

"I  have  not  come  across  you  before,"  said 
I,  looking  keenly  at  her. 

"  Such  a  poor  little  shop  as  mine  would  not 
be  likely  to  secure  your  lordship's  patronage," 
she  answered,  in  a  humility  that  seemed  only 
half  genuine. 

I  looked  up  at  the  windows.  They  were 
all  closed  and  had  their  wooden  lattices 
shut.  The  house  was  devoid  of  any  signs 
of  life. 


122  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

**  You've  a  good  house  here,  mother,  though 
it  wants  a  splash  of  paint,"  said  I.  "  Do 
you  live  all  alone  in  it  with  your  daughter?" 
For  Max  was  dead  and  Johann  abroad,  and 
the  old  woman  had,  as  far  as  I  knew,  no 
other  children. 

"  Sometimes,  sometimes  not,"  said  she. 
**  I  let  lodgings  to  single  men  when  I  can." 

"Full  now?" 

"  Not  a   soul,   worse  luck,   my  lord." 

Then   I   shot   an   arrow   at   a  venture. 

"The  man  who  came  in  just  now,  then, 
was  he  only  a  customer  ?  " 

**I  wish  a  customer  had  come  in,  but 
there  has  been  nobody,"  she  replied  in 
surprised  tones. 

I  looked  full  in  her  eyes;  she  met  mine 
with  a  blinking  imperturbability.  There  is 
no  face  so  inscrutable  as  a  clever  old 
woman's  when  she  is  on  her  guard.  And 
her  fat  body  barred  the  entrance ;  I  could 
not  so  much  as  see  inside,  while  the 
window,  choked  full  with  pigs'  trotters  and 
such -like  dainties,  helped  me  very  little. 
If  the  fox  were  there,  he  had  got  to  earth 
and  I   could  not   dig  him   out. 

At  this  moment  I  saw  James  approaching 
hurriedly.  He  was  looking  up  the  street, 
no  doubt  seeking  my  carriage  and  chafing 
at  its  delay.      An  instant  later  he  saw  me. 

"My  lord,"  he  said,  "your  train  will  be 
ready    in    five  minutes ;    if  it  doesn't    start 


THE  MESSAGE  OF  SIMON.  I23 

then,  the  line  must  be  closed  for  another 
half-hour." 

I  perceived  a  faint  smile  on  the  old  woman's 
face.  I  was  sure  then  that  I  was  on  the 
track  of  Eauer,  and  probably  of  more  than 
Bauer.  But  my  first  duty  was  to  obey 
orders  and  get  to  Zenda.  Besides  I  could 
not  force  my  way  in  there  in  open  daylight, 
without  a  scandal  that  would  have  set  all 
the  long  ears  in  Strelsau  aprick.  I  turned 
away  reluctantly.  I  did  not  even  know  for 
certain  that  Bauer  was  within,  and  thus  had 
no  information   of   value  to  carry  with  me. 

"  If  your  lordship  would  kindly  recommend 
me "  said  the   old    hag. 

**  Yes,  I  '11  recommend  you,"  said  I.  **  I'll 
recommend  you  to  be  careful  whom  you 
take  for  lodgers.  There  are  queer  fish  about, 
mother." 

'*  I  take  the  money  beforehand,"  she  re- 
torted with  a  grin ;  and  I  was  as  sure  that 
she  was  in  the  plot  as  of  my  own  existence. 

There  was  nothing  to  be  done;  James's 
face  urged  me  towards  the  station.  I  turned 
away.  But  at  this  instant  a  loud  merry 
laugh  sounded  from  inside  the  house.  I 
started,  and  this  time  violently.  The  old 
woman's  brow  contracted  in  a  frown,  and 
her  lips  twitched  for  a  moment ;  then  her 
face  regained  its  composure;  but  I  knew 
the  laugh,  and  she  must  have  guessed  that 
I   knew  it.     Instantly    I    tried  to  appear  as 


124  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

though  I  had  noticed  nothing.  I  nodded 
to  her  carelessly,  and  bidding  James  follow 
me  set  out  for  the  station.  But  as  we 
reached  the  platform,  I  laid  my  hand  on 
his   shoulder,    saying: 

"The  Count  of  Hentzau  is  in  that  house, 
James." 

He  looked  at  me  without  surprise;  he 
was  as  hard  to  stir  to  wonder  as  old  Sapt 
himself. 

"Indeed,  sir.     Shall  I  stay  and  watch?" 

"  No,  come  with  me,"  I  answered.  To 
tell  the  truth,  I  thought  that  to  leave  him 
alone  in  Strelsau  to  watch  that  house  was 
in  all  lilcelihood  to  sign  his  death-warrant, 
and  I  shrank  from  imposing  the  duty  on 
him.  Rudolf  might  send  him  if  he  would; 
I  dared  not.  So  we  got  into  our  train,  and 
I  suppose  that  my  coachman,  when  he  had 
looked  long  enough  for  me,  went  home.  I 
forgot  to  ask  him  afterwards.  Very  likely 
he  thought  it  a  fine  joke  to  see  his  master 
hunting  a  truant  servant  and  a  truant  bag 
through  the  streets  in  broad  daylight.  Had 
he  known  the  truth,  he  would  have  been  as 
interested,  though,  maybe,  less  amused. 

I  arrived  at  the  town  of  Zcnda  at  half- 
past  three,  and  was  in  the  Castle  before 
four.  I  may  pass  over  the  most  kind  and 
gracious  words  with  which  the  Queen 
received  me.  Every  sight  of  her  face  and 
every    sound    of    her    voice    bound    a    man 


THE   MESSAGE  OF  SIMON.  125 

closer  to  her  service,  and  now  she  made 
me  feel  that  I  was  a  poor  fellow  to  have  lost 
her  letter  and  yet  to  be  alive.  But  she  would 
hear  nothing  of  such  talk,  choosing  rather 
to  praise  the  little  I  had  done  than  to  blame 
the  great  thing  in  which  I  had  failed. 
Dismissed  from  her  presence,  I  flew  open- 
mouthed  to  Sapt.  I  found  him  in  his  room 
with  Bernenstein,  and  had  the  satisfaction 
of  learning  that  my  news  of  Rupert's  where- 
abouts was  confirmed  by  his  information. 
I  was  also  made  acquainted  with  all  that 
had  been  done,  even  as  I  have  already 
related  it,  from  the  first  successful  trick 
played  on  Rischenheim  to  the  moment  of 
his  unfortunate  escape.  But  my  face  grew 
^:>ng  and  apprehensive  when  I  heard  that 
Rudolf  Rassendyll  had  gone  alone  to  Strelsau 
to  put  his  head  in  that  lion's  mouth  in  the 
Konigstrasse. 

"There  will  be  three  of  them  there — 
Rupert,  Rischenheim,  and  my  rascal  Bauer," 
said   I. 

"As  to  Rupert  we  don't  know,"  Sapt 
reminded  me.  "He'll  be  there  if  Rischen- 
heim arrives  in  time  to  tell  him  the  truth. 
But  we  have  also  to  be  ready  for  him  here, 
and  at  the  hunting-lodge.  Well,  we  're  ready 
for  him  wherever  he  is:  Rudolf  will  be  in 
Strelsau,  you  and  I  will  ride  to  the  lodge, 
and  Bernenstein  will  be  here  with  the 
Queen." 


126  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

**Only  one  here?"  I  asked. 

"Aye,  but  a  good  one,"  said  the  Con- 
stable, clapping  Bernenstein  on  the  shoulder. 
"We  shan't  be  gone  above  four  hours,  and 
those  while  the  King  is  safe  in  his  bed. 
Bernenstein  has  only  to  refuse  access  to 
him,  and  stand  to  that  with  his  life  till  we 
come  back.  You're  equal  to  that,  eh. 
Lieutenant  ?  " 

I  am  by  nature  a  cautious  man,  and 
prone  to  look  at  the  dark  side  of  every 
prospect  and  the  risks  of  every  enterprise ; 
but  I  could  not  see  what  better  dispositions 
were  possible  against  the  attack  that 
threatened  us.  Yet  I  was  sorely  uneasy 
concerning  Mr.   Rassendyll. 

Now,  after  all  our  stir  and  runnings  to 
and  fro,  came  an  hour  or  two  of  peace. 
We  employed  the  time  in  having  a  good 
meal,  and  it  was  past  five  when,  our  repast 
finished,  we  sat  back  in  our  chairs  enjoying 
cigars.  James  had  waited  on  us,  quietly 
usurping  the  office  of  the  Constable's  own 
servant,  and  thus  we  had  been  able  to  talk 
freely.  The  man's  calm  confidence  in  his 
master  and  his  master's  fortune  also  went 
far  to  comfort  me. 

**The  King  should  be  back  soon,"  said 
Sapt  at  last,  with  a  glance  at  his  big  old- 
fashioned  silver  watch.  "Thank  God,  he'll 
be  too  tired  to  sit  up  long.  We  shall  be 
free  by  nine  o'clock,   Fritz.      I  wish  young 


THE   MESSAGE  OF   SIMON.  127 

Rupert  would  come  to  the  lodge ! "  And 
the  Colonel's  face  expressed  a  lively  pleasure 
at  the  idea. 

Six  o'clock  struck  and  the  King  did  not 
appear.  A  few  moments  later  a  message 
came  from  the  Queen,  requesting  our  pre- 
sence on  the  terrace  in  front  of  the  chateau. 
The  place  commanded  a  view  of  the  road 
by  which  the  King  would  ride  back,  and 
we  found  the  Queen  walking  restlessly  up 
and  down,  considerably  disquieted  by  the 
lateness  of  his  return.  In  such  a  position 
as  ours  every  unusual  or  unforeseen  incident 
magnifies  its  possible  meaning  and  invests 
itself  with  a  sinister  importance  which  would 
at  ordinary  times  seem  absurd.  We  three 
shared  the  Queen's  feelings,  and  forgetting 
the  many  chances  of  the  chase,  any  one 
of  which  would  amply  account  for  the 
King's  delay,  fell  to  speculating  on  remote 
possibilities  of  disaster.  He  might  have  met 
Rischenheim  —  though  they  had  ridden  in 
opposite  directions ;  Rupert  might  have  in- 
tercepted him  —  though  no  known  means 
could  have  brought  Rupert  to  the  forest  so 
early.  Our  fears  defeated  common  sense, 
and  our  conjectures  outran  possibility.  Sapt 
was  the  first  to  recover  from  this  foolish 
mood,  and  he  rated  us  soundly,  not  sparing 
even  the  Queen  herself.  With  a  laugh  we 
regained  some  of  our  equanimity,  and  felt 
rather  ashamed  of  our  weakness. 


128  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

**  Still  it 's  Strange  that  he  doesn't  come," 
murmured  the  Queen,  shading  her  eyes 
with  her  hand,  and  looking  along  the  road 
to  where  the  dark  masses  of  the  forest 
trees  bounded  our  view.  It  was  already 
dusk,  but  not  so  dark  but  that  we  could 
have  seen  the  King's  party  as  soon  as  it 
came  into  the    open. 

If  the  King's  delay  seemed  strange  at 
six,  it  was  stranger  at  seven,  and  by  eight 
most  strange.  We  had  long  since  ceased 
to  talk  lightly;  by  now  we  had  lapsed  into 
silence.  Sapt's  scoldings  had  died  away. 
The  Queen,  wrapped  in  her  furs  (for  it  was 
very  cold),  sat  sometimes  on  a  seat,  but 
oftener  paced  restlessly  to  and  fro.  Evening 
had  fallen.  We  did  not  know  what  to  do, 
nor  even  whether  we  ought  to  do  anything. 
Sapt  would  not  own  to  sharing  our  worst 
apprehensions,  but  his  gloomy  silence  in 
face  of  our  surmises  witnessed  that  he  was 
in  his  heart  as  disturbed  as  we  were.  For 
my  part  I  had  come  to  the  end  of  my 
endurance,   and   I  cried : 

"For  God's  sake  let's  act!  Shall  I  go 
and  seek  him  ?  " 

**  A  needle  in  a  bundle  of  hay  ! "  said 
Sapt   with  a   shrug. 

But  at  this  moment  my  ear  caught  the 
sound  of  horses  cantering  on  the  road  from 
the  forest ;  at  the  same  instant  Bernenstein 
cried,     "  Here    they    come  ! "      The    Queen 


THE   MESSAGE  OF  SIMON.  I29 


paused,  and  we  gathered  round  her.  The 
horse-hoofs  came  nearer.  Now  we  made 
out  the  figures  of  three  men  :  they  were  the 
King's  huntsmen,  and  they  rode  along  merrily, 
singing  a  hunting  chorus.  The  sound  of  it 
brought  relief  to  us ;  so  far  at  least  there 
was  no  disaster.  But  why  was  not  the 
King  with   them  ? 

**  The  King  is  probably  tired,  and  is  fol- 
lowing more  slowly,  madame,"  suggested 
Bernenstein. 

This  explanation  seemed  very  probable, 
and  the  Lieutenant  and  I,  as  ready  to  be 
hopeful  on  slight  grounds  as  fearful  on  small 
provocation,  joyfully  accepted  it.  Sapt,  less 
easily  turned  to  either  mood,  said,  "Aye, 
but  let  us  hear,"  and  raising  his  voice 
called  to  the  huntsmen,  who  had  now 
arrived  in  the  avenue.  One  of  them, 
the  King's  chief  huntsman,  Simon,  gorgeous 
in  his  uniform  of  green  and  gold,  came 
swaggering  along,  and  bowed  low  to  the 
Queen. 

"Well,  Simon,  where  is  the  King?"  she 
asked,  trying  to  smile. 

"  The  King,  madame,  has  sent  a  message 
by  me  to  your  Majesty." 

"  Pray  deliver  it  to  me,  Simon." 

"  I  will,  madame.  The  King  has  enjoyed 
fine  sport ;  and  indeed,  madame,  if  I  may 
say  so  for  myself,  a  better  run " 

"You  may  say,  friend  Simon,"  interrupted 

9 


130  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


the  Constable,  tapping  him  on  the  shoulder, 
"  anything  you  like  for  yourself,  but,  as  a 
matter  of  etiquette,  the  King's  message 
should  come   first." 

**Oh,  aye,  Constable,"  said  Simon.  ''You're 
always  so  down  on  a  man,  aren't  you  ?  Well 
then,  madame,  the  King  has  enjoyed  fine  sport. 
For  we  started  a  boar  at  eleven,  and " 

"Is  this  the  King's  message,  Simon?" 
asked  the  Queen,  smiling  in  genuine  amuse- 
ment, but  impatiently. 

"  Why  no,  madame,  not  precisely  His 
Majesty's  message." 

"  Then  get  to  it,  man,  in  Heaven's  name  !  " 
growled  Sapt  testily.  For  her-e  were  we 
four  (the  Queen,  too,  one  of  us !)  on  tenter- 
hooks, v^hile  the  fool  boasted  about  the 
sport  that  he  had  shown  the  King.  For 
every  boar  in  the  forest  Simon  took  as 
much  credit  as  though  he,  and  not  Almighty 
God,  had  made  the  animal.  It  is  always 
the  way  with   such   fellows. 

Simon  became  a  little  confused  under  the 
combined  influence  of  his  own  seductive 
memories  and    Sapt's    brusque  exhortations. 

"  As  I  was  saying,  madame,"  he  resumed, 
"  the  boar  led  us  a  long  way,  but  at  last 
the  hounds  pulled  him  down,  and  His  Majesty 
himself  gave  the  coup  de  grace.  Well,  then 
it  was  very  late " 

"It's  no  earlier  now,"  grumbled  the  Con- 
stable. 


THE   MESSAGE  OF   SIMON.  I31 

"And  the  King,  although  indeed,  madame. 
His  Majesty  was  so  gracious  as  to  say  that 
no  huntsman  whom  His  Majesty  had  ever 
had,  had   given   His   Majesty " 

"God  help  us!"  groaned  the  Constable. 

Simon  shot  an  apprehensive  apologetic 
glance  at  Colonel  Sapt.  The  Constable  was 
frowning  ferociously.  In  spite  of  the  serious 
matters  in  hand  I  could  not  forbear  a  smile, 
while  young  Bernenstcin  broke  into  an  audible 
laugh,  which  he  tried  to  smother  with  his 
hand. 

"Yes,  the  King  was  very  tired,  Simon?" 
said  the  Queen,  at  once  encouraging  him  and 
bringing  him  back  to  the  point  with  a 
woman's  skill. 

"  Yes,  madame,  the  King  was  very  tired ; 
and  as  we  chanced  to  kill  near  the  hunting- 
lodge " 

I  do  not  know  whether  Simon  noticed 
any  change  in  the  manner  of  his  audience. 
But  the  Queen  looked  up  with  parted 
lips,  and  I  believe  that  we  three  all  drew 
a  step  nearer  him.  Sapt  did  not  interrupt 
this  time. 

"  Yes,  madame,  the  King  was  very  tired, 
and  as  we  chanced  to  kill  near  the  hunting- 
lodge,  the  King  bade  us  carry  our  quarry 
there,  and  come  back  to  dress  it  to-morrow ; 
so  we  obeyed,  and  here  we  are — that  is, 
except  Herbert,  my  brother,  who  stayed  with 
the  King  by  His  Majesty's  orders.    Because, 


132  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

madame,  Herbert  is  a  handy  fellow,  and 
my  good  mother  taught  him  to  cook  a  steak 
and " 

"Stayed  where  with  the  King?"  roared  Sapl. 

"Why,  at  the  hunting-lodge,  Constable. 
The  King  stays  there  to-night,  and  will  ride 
back  to-morrow  morning  with  Herbert.  That, 
madame,  is  the  King's  message." 

We  had  come  to  it  at  last,  and  it  was 
something  to  come  to.  Simon  gazed  from 
face  to  face.  I  saw  him,  and  I  understood 
at  once  that  our  feelings  must  be  speaking 
too  plainly.  So  I  took  on  myself  to  dismiss 
him,  saying : 

"  Thanks,  Simon,  thanks  ;  we  understand." 

He  bowed  to  the  Queen ;  she  roused  her- 
self and  added  her  thanks  to  mine.  Simon 
withdrew,  looking  still  a  little  puzzled. 

After  we  were  left  alone  there  was  a 
moment's  silence.    Then   I  said  : 

"  Suppose  Rupert " 

The  Constable  of  Zenda  broke  in  with  a 
short  laugh. 

"  On  my  life,"  said  he,  "  how  things  fall 
out  !  We  say  he  will  go  to  the  hunting- 
lodge,  and — he  goes  !  " 

"  If  Rupert  goes — if  Rischenheim  doesn't 
stop  him  ! "   I  urged  again. 

The  Queen  rose  from  her  seat  and  stretched 
out  her  hands  towards  us. 

"  Gentlemen,  my  letter  ! "    said  she. 

Sapt  wasted  no  time. 


THE  MESSAGE  OF  SIMON.  I33 


**  Bemenstein,"  said  he,  **you  stay  here 
as  we  arranged.  Nothing  is  altered.  Horses 
for  Fritz  and  myself  in  five  minutes." 

Bernenstein  turned  and  shot  like  an  arrow 
along  the  terrace  towards  the  stables. 

"  Nothing  is  altered,  madame,"  said  Sapt, 
"except  that  we  must  be  there  before  Count 
Rupert." 

I  looked  at  my  watch.  It  was  twenty 
minutes  past  nine.  Simon's  cursed  chatter 
had  lost  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  I  opened  my 
lips  to  speak.  A  glance  from  Sapt's  eyes 
told  me  that  he  discerned  what  I  was  about 
to  say.     I  was  silent. 

"You'll  be  in  time?"  asked  the  Queen, 
with  clasped  hands  and  frightened  eyes. 

"Assuredly,  madame,"  returned  Sapt  with 
a  bow. 

"You  won't  let  him  reach  the  King?" 

"Why,  no,  madame,"  said  Sapt  with  a 
smile. 

"  From  my  heart,  gentlemen,"  she  said  in 
a  trembling  voice,  "  from  my  heart " 

"  Here  are  the  horses,"  cried  Sapt.  He 
snatched  her  hand,  brushed  it  with  his  grizzly 
moustache,  and — well,  I  am  not  sure  I  heard, 
and  I  can  hardly  believe  what  I  think  I  heard ; 
but  I  will  set  it  down  for  what  it  is  worth. 
I  think  he  said,  "  Bless  your  sweet  face, 
we  '11  do  it."  At  any  rate  she  drew  back 
with  a  little  cry  of  surprise,  and  I  saw  the 
tears   standing    in    her    eyes.      I   kissed   her 


134  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

hand  also ;  then  we  mounted,  and  we  started, 
and  we  rode,  as  if  the  devil  were  behind  us, 
for  the  hunting-lodge. 

But  I  turned  once  to  watch  her  standing 
on  the  terrace,  with  young  Bernenstein's 
tall  figure  beside  her. 

**  Can  we  be  in  time  ? "  said  I.  It  was 
what  I  had  meant  to  say  before. 

"I  think  not,  but  by  God  we'll  try,"  said 
Colonel  Sapt. 

And  I  knew  why  he  had  not  let  me  speak. 

Suddenly  there  was  a  sound  behind  us  of 
a  horse  at  the  gallop.  Our  heads  flew  round 
in  the  ready  apprehension  of  men  on  a 
perilous  errand.  The  hoofs  drew  near,  for 
the  unknown  rode  with  reckless  haste. 

"We  had  best  see  what  it  is,"  said  the 
Constable,  pulling  up. 

A  second  more,  and  the  horseman  was 
beside  us.  Sapt  swore  an  oath,  half  in 
amusement,  half  in  vexation. 

**  Why,  is  it  you,  James  ?  "  I  cried. 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  Rudolf  Rassendyll's 
servant. 

"  What  the  devil  do  you  want  ?  "  asked  Sapt. 

"  I  came  to  attend  on  the  Count  von  Tar- 
lenheim,  sir." 

"I  did  not  give  you  any  orders,  James." 

"  No,  sir.  But  Mr.  Rassendyll  told  me  not 
to  leave  you,  unless  you  sent  me  away.  So 
I  made  haste  to  follow  you." 

Then  Sapt  cried: 


THE   MESSAGE   OF   SIMON.  I35 

"  Deuce  take  it,  what  horse  is  that  ?  " 

"The  best  in  the  stables,  so  far  as  I  could 
see,  sir.    I  was  afraid  of  not  overtaking  you." 

Sapt  tugged  his  moustache,  scowled,  but 
finally  laughed. 

•*  Much  obliged  for  your  compliment,"  said 
he.     *'  The  horse  is  mine." 

"Indeed,  sir?"  said  James  with  respectful 
interest. 

For  a  moment  we  were  all  silent.  Then 
Sapt  laughed  again. 

"Forward!"  said  he,  and  the  three  of  us 
dashed  into  the  forest. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS  THE  HOUND. 


CDKING  back  now,  in  the  light  of  the 
information  I  have  gathered,  I  am  able 
to  trace  very  clearly,  and  almost  hour 
by  hour,  the  events  of  this  day,  and  to  under- 
stand how  chance,  laying  hold  of  our  cunning 
plan  and  mocking  our  wiliness,  twisted  and 
turned  our  device  to  a  predetermined  but 
strange  issue,  of  which  we  were  most  guilt- 
less in  thought  or  intent.  Had  the  King 
not  gone  to  the  hunting-lodge,  our  design 
would  have  found  the  fulfilment  we  looked 
for  ;  had  Rischenheim  succeeded  in  warning 
Rupert  of  Hentzau,  we  should  have  stood 
where  we  were.  Fate  or  fortune  would  have 
it  otherwise.  The  King,  being  weary,  went 
to  the  lodge,  and  Rischenheim  failed  in 
warning  his  cousin.  It  was  a  narrow  failure, 
for  Rupert,  as  his  laugh  told  me,  was  in  the 
house  in  the  Konigstrasse  when  I  set  out 
from  Strelsau,  and  Rischenheim  arrived  there 
at  half- past  four.  He  had  taken  the  train  at 
a  roadside  station,  and  thus  easily  outstripped 
Mr.  Rassendyll,  who,  not  daring  to  show  his 
face,  was  forced  to  ride  all  the  way  and 
enter    the    city    under    cover   of   night.    But 


136 


THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS   THE   HOUND.      137 

Rischenheim    had    not    ventured   to    send    a 
warning,    for    he    knew    that    we    were    in 
possession  of  the  address,  and  did  not  know 
what  steps  we  might  have  taken  to  intercept 
messages.      Therefore    he    was    obliged    to 
carry  the  news  himself;    when  he  came  his 
man  was  gone.      Indeed   Rupert  must  have 
left    the    house    almost    immediately    after    I 
was    safe    away    from    the    city.      He    was 
determined    to    be    in    good    time    for    his 
appointment;   his   only  enemies  were  not  in 
Strelsau :    there   was   no   v/arrant   on   which 
he  could  be  apprehended;   and,  although  his 
connection  with  Black  Michael  was  a  matter 
of  popular  gossip,  he  felt  himself  safe  from 
arrest  by  virtue  of  the  secret  that  protected 
him.      Accordingly    he    walked    out    of    the 
house,  went  to  the  station,  took  his  ticket  to 
Hofbau,   and,  travelling   by   the  four  o'clock 
train,  reached  his  destination  about  half- past 
five.      He    must    have    passed    the    train    in 
which  Rischenheim  travelled ;  the  first  news 
the  latter  had  of  his  departure  was  from  a 
porter  at  the  station,  who,  having  recognised 
the  Count  of  Hentzau,  ventured  to  congratu- 
late    Rischenheim    on    his    cousin's    return. 
Rischenheim   made   no   answer,    but   hurried 
in  great  agitation  to  the  house  in  the  Konig- 
strasse,  where  the  old  woman  Holf  confirmed 
the    tidings.      Then    he    passed    through    a 
period    of    great    irresolution.      Loyalty    to 
Rupert  urged  that  he  should  follow  him  and 


138  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

share  the  perils  into  which  his  cousin  was 
hastening.  But  caution  whispered  that  he 
was  not  irrevocably  committed,  that  nothing 
overt  yet  connected  him  with  Rupert's 
schemes,  and  that  we  who  knew  the  truth 
should  be  well  content  to  purchase  his  silence 
as  to  the  trick  we  had  played  by  granting 
him  immunity.  His  fears  won  the  day,  and, 
like  the  irresolute  man  he  was,  he  deter- 
mined to  wait  in  Strelsau  till  he  heard  the 
issue  of  the  meeting  at  the  lodge.  If  Rupert 
were  disposed  of  there,  he  had  something  to 
offer  us  in  return  for  peace ;  if  his  cousin 
escaped,  he  would  be  in  the  Konigstrasse, 
prepared  to  second  the  further  plans  of  the 
desperate  adventurer.  In  any  event  his  skin 
was  safe,  and  I  presume  to  think  that  this 
weighed  a  little  with  him;  for  excuse  he  had 
the  wound  which  Bernenstein  had  given 
him,  and  which  rendered  one  arm  entirely 
useless;  had  he  gone  then,  he  would  have 
been  a  most  inefficient  ally. 

Of  all  this  we,  as  we  rode  through  the 
forest,  knew  nothing.  We  might  guess,  con- 
jecture, hope,  or  fear;  but  our  certain  know- 
ledge stopped  with  Rischenheim's  start  for 
the  capital  and  Rupert's  presence  there  at 
three  o'clock.  The  pair  might  have  met  or 
might  have  missed.  We  had  to  act  as 
though  they  had  missed  and  Rupert  were 
gone  to  meet  the  King.  But  we  were  late. 
The  consciousness  of  that  pressed  upon  us, 


THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS  THE   HOUND.      1 39 

although  wc  evaded  further  mention  of  it ; 
it  made  us  spur  and  drive  our  horses  as 
quickly  as,  aye,  and  a  little  more  quickly  than, 
safety  allowed.  Once  James's  horse  stumbled 
in  the  darkness  and  its  rider  was  thrown ; 
more  than  once  a  low  bough  hanging  over 
the  path  nearly  swept  me,  dead  or  stunned, 
from  my  seat.  Sapt  paid  no  attention  to 
these  mishaps  or  threatened  mishaps.  He 
had  taken  the  lead,  and,  sitting  well  down  in 
his  saddle,  rode  ahead,  turning  neither  to  right 
nor  left,  never  slackening  his  pace,  sparing 
neither  himself  nor  his  beast.  James  and  I 
were  side  by  side  behind  him.  We  rode  in 
silence,  finding  nothing  to  say  to  one  another. 
My  mind  was  full  of  a  picture — the  picture 
of  Rupert  with  his  easy  smile  handing  to  the 
King  the  Queen's  letter.  For  the  hour  of 
the  rendezvous  was  past.  If  tiiat  image  had 
been  translated  into  reality,  what  must  we 
do?  To  kill  Rupert  would  satisfy  revenge, 
but  of  what  other  avail  would  it  be  when 
the  King  had  read  the  letter  ?  I  am  ashamed 
to  say  that  I  found  myself  girding  at  Mr. 
Rassendyll  for  happening  on  a  plan  which  the 
course  of  events  had  turned  into  a  trap  for 
ourselves  and  not  for  Rupert  of  Hentzau.  f 

Suddenly  Sapt,  turning  his  head  for  the 
first  time,  pointed  in  front  of  him.  The  lodge 
was  before  us  ;  we  saw  it  looming  dimly  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  off".  Sapt  reined  in  his 
horse,    and   we   followed    his    example.      All 


140  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

dismounted,  wc  tied  our  horses  to  trees  and 
went  forward  at  a  quick  silent  walk.  Our 
idea  was  that  Sapt  should  enter  on  pretext 
of  having  been  sent  by  the  Queen  to  attend 
to  her  husband's  comfort  and  arrange  for  his 
return  without  further  fatigue  next  day.  If 
Rupert  had  come  and  gone,  the  King's 
demeanour  would  probably  betray  the  fact ; 
if  he  had  not  yet  come,  I  and  James, 
patrolling  outside,  would  bar  his  passage. 
There  was  a  third  possibility :  he  might  be 
even  now  with  the  King.  Our  course  in 
such  a  case  we  left  unsettled ;  so  far  as  I 
had  any  plan,  it  was  to  kill  Rupert  and  try 
to  convince  the  King  that  the  letter  was  a 
forgery— a  desperate  hope,  so  desperate  that 
we  turned  our  eyes  away  from  the  possibility 
which  would  make  it  our  only  resource. 

We  were  now  very  near  the  hunting-lodge, 
being  about  forty  yards  from  the  front  of  it. 
All  at  once  Sapt  threw  himself  on  his  stomach 
on  the  ground. 

**  Give  me  a  match,"  he  whispered. 

James  struck  a  light,  and  the  night  being 
still  the  flame  burnt  brightly :  it  showed  us 
the  mark  of  a  horse's  hoof,  apparently  quite 
fresh,  and  leading  away  from  the  lodge.  We 
rose  and  went  on,  following  the  tracks  by 
the  aid  of  more  matches  till  we  reached  a 
tree  twenty  yards  from  the  door.  Here  the 
hoof-marks  ceased ;  but  beyond  there  was  a 
double  track  of  human  feet  in  the  soft  black 


THE  TEMPER   OF   BORIS  THE  HOUND.      141 

earth ;  a  man  had  gone  thence  to  the  house 
and  returned  from  the  house  thither.  On 
the  right  of  the  tree  there  were  more  hoof- 
marks,  leading  up  to  it  and  then  ceasing.  A 
man  had  ridden  up  from  the  right,  dismounted, 
gone  on  foot  to  the  house,  returned  to  the 
tree,  remounted,  and  ridden  away  along  the 
track  by  which  we  had  approached. 

"  It  may  be  somebody  else,"  said  I ;  but  I 
do  not  think  that  we  any  of  us  doubted  in 
our  hearts  that  the  tracks  were  made  by  the 
coming  of  Hentzau.  Then  the  King  had  the 
letter;  the  mischief  was  done.  We  were 
too  late. 

Yet  we  did  not  hesitate.  Since  disaster 
had  come,  it  must  be  faced.  Mr.  Rassendyll's 
servant  and  I  followed  the  Constable  of 
Zenda  up  to  the  door,  or  within  a  few  feet  of 
it.  Here  Sapt,  who  was  in  uniform,  loosened 
his  sword  in  its  sheath;  James  and  I  looked 
to  our  revolvers.  There  were  no  lights  visible 
in  the  lodge ;  the  door  was  shut ;  everything 
was  still.  Sapt  knocked  softly  with  his 
knuckles,  but  there  was  no  answer  from 
within.  He  laid  hold  of  the  handle  and  turned 
it ;  the  door  opened,  and  the  passage  lay 
dark  and  apparently  empty  before  us. 

"You  stay  here,  as  we  arranged,"  whis- 
pered the  Colonel.  "  Give  me  the  matches, 
and  I  '11  go  in." 

James  handed  him  the  box  of  matches,  and 
he  crossed  the  threshold.     For  a  yard  or  two 


142  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

we  saw  him  plainly,  then  his  figure  grew  dim 
and  indistinct.  I  heard  nothing  except  my 
own  hard  breathing.  But  in  a  moment  there 
was  another  sound — a  muffled  exclamation, 
and  the  noise  of  a  man  stumbling ;  a  sword, 
too,  clattered  on  the  stones  of  the  passage. 
We  looked  at  one  another:  the  noise  did  not 
produce  any  answering  stir  in  the  house ; 
then  came  the  sharp  little  explosion  of  a 
match  struck  on  its  box,  next  we  heard 
Sapt  raising  himself,  his  scabbard  scraping 
along  the  stones ;  his  footsteps  came 
towards  us,  and  in  a  second  he  appeared  at 
the  door. 

"What  was  it?*'  I  whispered. 

"I  fell,"  said  Sapt. 

"  Over  what  ?  " 

"  Come  and  see.    James,  stay  here." 

I  followed  the  Constable  for  the  distance  of 
eight  or  ten  feet  along  the  passage. 

"  Isn't  there  a  lamp  anywhere  ?  "  I  asked. 

"We  can  see  enough  with  a  match,"  he 
answered.  "  Here,  this  is  what  I  fell 
over." 

Even  before  the  match  was  struck  I  saw  a 
dark  body  lying  across  the  passage. 

"A  dead  man!"  I  guessed  instantly. 

"Why,  no,"  said  Sapt,  striking  a  light: 
"a  dead  dog,  Fritz." 

An  exclamation  of  wonder  escaped  me  as 
I  fell  on  my  knees.  At  the  same  instant 
Sapt  muttered,  "Aye,  there's  a  lamp,"  and 


THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS   THE   HOUND.      143 

Stretching  up  his  hand  to  a  little  oil  lamp  that 
stood  on  a  bracket,  he  lit  it,  took  it  down,  and 
held  it  over  the  body.  It  served  to  give  a 
fair,  though  unsteady,  light,  and  enabled  us 
to  see  what  lay  in  the  passage. 

"It's  Boris,  the  boar-hound,"  said  I,  still 
in  a  whisper,  although  there  was  no  sign  of 
any  listeners. 

I  knew  the  dog  well ;  he  was  the  King's 
favourite,  and  always  accompanied  him  when 
he  went  hunting.  He  was  obedient  to  every 
word  of  the  King's,  but  of  a  rather  uncertain 
temper  towards  the  rest  of  the  world.  How- 
ever, De  mortuis  nil  nisi  bonum ;  there  he 
lay  dead  in  the  passage.  Sapt  put  his  hand 
on  the  beast's  head.  There  was  a  bullet- 
hole  right  through  his  forehead.  I  nodded, 
and  in  my  turn  pointed  to  the  dog's  right 
shoulder,  which  was  shattered  by  another  ball. 

"And  see  here,"  said  the  Constable.  "Have 
a  pull  at  this." 

I  looked  where  his  hand  now  was.  In  the 
dog's  mouth  was  a  piece  of  grey  cloth,  and 
on  the  piece  of  grey  cloth  was  a  horn  coat- 
button.  I  took  hold  of  the  cloth  and  pulled. 
Boris  held  on  even  in  death.  Sapt  drew  his 
sword,  and,  inserting  the  point  of  it  between 
the  dog's  teeth,  parted  them  enough  for  me 
to  draw  out  the  piece  of  cloth. 

"You'd  better  put  it  in  your  pocket,"  said 
the  Constable.  "  Now  come  along ;  "  and, 
holding  the  lamp  in  one  hand  and  his  sword 


144  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

(which  he  did  not  resheathe)  in  the  other,  he 
stepped  over  the  body  of  the  boar -hound, 
and  I  followed  him. 

We  were  now  in  front  of  the  door  of  the 
room  where  Rudolf  Rassendyll  had  supped 
with  us  on  the  day  of  his  first  coming  to 
Ruritania,  and  whence  he  had  set  out  to  be 
crowned  in  Strelsau.  On  the  right  of  it  was 
the  room  where  the  King  slept,  and  farther 
along  in  the  same  direction  the  kitchen  and 
the  cellars.  The  officer  or  officers  in  attend- 
ance on  the  King  used  to  sleep  on  the  other 
side  of  the  dining-room. 

"  We  must  explore,  I  suppose,"  said  Sapt ; 
in  spite  of  his  outward  calmness  I  caught  in 
his  voice  the  ring  of  excitement  rising  and 
ill-repressed.  But  at  this  moment  we  heard 
from  the  passage  on  our  left  (as  we  faced  the 
door)  a  low  moan,  and  then  a  dragging  sound, 
as  if  a  man  were  crawling  along  the  floor, 
painfully  trailing  his  limbs  after  him.  Sapt 
held  the  lamp  in  that  direction,  and  we  saw 
Herbert  the  forester,  pale-faced  and  wide- 
eyed,  raised  from  the  ground  on  his  two 
hands,  while  his  legs  stretched  behind  him 
and  his  stomach  rested  on  the  boards. 

"  Who  is  it  ?  "  he  said  in  a  faint  voice. 

"Why,  man,  you  know  us,"  said  the 
Constable,  stepping  up  to  him.  "  What 's 
happened  here  ?  " 

The  poor  fellow  was  very  faint,  and,  I 
think,  wandered  a  little  in  his  brain. 


THE  TEMPER   OF  BORIS  THE   HOUND.      145 

"I've  got  it,  sir,"  he  murmured,  "I've  got 
it,  fair  and  straight.  No  more  hunting  for  me, 
sir.  I  've  got  it  here  in  the  stomach.  Oh, 
my  God ! "  He  let  his  head  fall  with  a  thud 
on  the  floor. 

I  ran  and  raised  him.  Kneeling  on  one 
knee,  I  propped  his  head  against  my  leg. 

"Tell  us  about  it,"  commanded  Sapt  in 
a  curt  crisp  voice,  while  I  got  the  man 
into  the  easiest  position  that  I  could  con- 
trive. 

In  slow  struggling  tones  he  began  his  story, 
repeating  here,  omitting  there,  often  confusing 
the  order  of  his  narrative,  oftener  still  arrest- 
ing it  while  he  waited  for  strength.  Yet  we 
were  not  impatient,  but  heard  without  a 
thought  of  time.  I  looked  round  once  at  a 
sound,  and  found  that  James,  anxious  about 
us,  had  stolen  along  the  passage  and  joined 
us.  Sapt  took  no  notice  of  him,  nor  of  any- 
thing save  the  words  that  dropped  in  irregular 
utterance  from  the  stricken  man's  lips.  Here 
is  the  story,  a  strange  instance  of  the  turning 
of  a  great  event  on  a  small  cause. 

The  King  had  eaten  a  little  supper,  and, 
having  gone  to  his  bedroom,  had  stretched 
himself  on  the  bed  and  fallen  asleep  without 
undressing.  Herbert  was  clearing  the  dining- 
table  and  performing  similar  duties,  when 
suddenly  (thus  he  told  it)  he  found  a  man 
standing  beside  him.  He  did  not  know  (he 
was  new  to  the  King's  service)  who  the 
xo 


146  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


unexpected  visitor  was,  but  he  was  of  middle 
height,  dark,  handsome,  and  "looked  like  a 
gentleman  all  over."  He  was  dressed  in  a 
shooting  -  tunic,  and  a  revolver  was  thrust 
through  the  belt  of  it.  One  hand  rested  on 
the  belt,  while  the  other  held  a  small  square 
box. 

"Tell  the  King  I  am  here.  He  expects 
me,"  said  the  stranger. 

Herbert,  alarmed  at  the  suddenness  and 
silence  of  the  intruder's  approach,  and  guiltily 
conscious  of  having  left  the  door  unbolted, 
drew  back.  He  was  unarmed,  but,  being  a 
stout  fellow,  was  prepared  to  defend  his 
master  as  best  he  could.  Rupert — beyond 
doubt  it  was  Rupert — laughed  lightly,  saying 
again,  "  Maa,  he  expects  me.  Go  and  tell 
him,"  and  sat  himself  on  the  table,  swinging 
his  leg.  Herbert,  influenced  by  the  visitor's 
air  of  command,  began  to  retreat  towards 
the  bedroom,  keeping  his  face  towards 
Rupert.  "  If  the  King  asks  more,  tell  him  I 
have  the  packet  and  the  letter,"  said  Rupert. 
The  man  bowed  and  passed  into  the  bed- 
room. The  King  was  asleep ;  when  roused 
he  seemed  to  know  nothing  of  letter  or 
packet,  and  to  expect  no  visitor.  Herbert's 
ready  fears  revived ;  he  whispered  that  the 
stranger  carried  a  revolverw  Whatever  the 
King's  faults  might  be — and  God  forbid  that  I 
should  speak  hardly  of  him  whom  fate  used 
80  hardly! — he  was  no  coward.     He  sprang 


THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS  THE  HOUND.      I47 

from  his  bed;  at  the  same  moment  the  great 
boar-hound  uncoiled  himself  and  came  from 
beneath,  yawning  and  fawning.  But  in  an 
instant  the  beast  caught  the  scent  of  a 
stranger :  his  ears  pricked  and  he  gave  a 
low  growl,  as  he  looked  up  in  his  master's 
face.  Then  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  weary 
perhaps  of  waiting,  perhaps  only  doubtful 
whether  his  message  would  be  properly 
delivered,   appeared  in  the   doorway. 

The  King  was  unarmed,  and  Herbert  in 
no  better  plight ;  their  hunting  weapons  were 
in  the  adjoining  room,  and  Rupert  seemed 
to  bar  the  way.  I  have  said  that  the  King 
was  no  coward,  yet  I  think  that  the  sight  of 
Rupert,  bringing  back  the  memory  of  his 
torments  in  the  dungeon,  half  cowed  him ; 
for  he  shrank  back  crying,  "  You !  "  The 
hound,  in  subtle  understanding  of  his  master's 
movement,  growled  angrily. 

"  You  expected  me,  sire  ?  '*  said  Rupert 
with  a  bow ;  but  he  smiled.  I  know  that 
the  sight  of  the  King's  alarm  pleased  him. 
To  inspire  terror  was  his  delight,  and  it 
does  not  come  to  every  man  to  strike  fear 
into  the  heart  of  a  king  and  an  Elphberg. 
It  had  come  more  than  once  to  Rupert  of 
Hentzau. 

*'  No,"  muttered  the  King.  Then,  recover- 
mg  his  composure  a  little,  he  said  angrily, 
**  How  dare  you  come  here  ?  " 

**  You    didn't   expect   me  ? "   cried    Rupert, 


148  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

and  in  an  instant  the  thought  of  a  trap 
seemed  to  flash  across  his  alert  mind.  He 
drew  the  revolver  half-way  from  his  belt, 
probably  in  a  scarcely  conscious  movement 
born  of  the  desire  to  assure  himself  of  its 
presence.  With  a  cry  of  alarm  Herbert  flung 
himself  before  the  King,  who  sank  back  on 
the  bed.  Rupert,  puzzled,  vexed,  yet  half- 
amused  (for  he  smiled  still,  the  man  said), 
took  a  step  forward,  crying  out  something 
about  Rischenheim  —  what,  Herbert  could 
not  tell  us.  "  Keep  back,"  exclaimed  the 
King :  "  keep  back  !  "  Rupert  paused  ;  then 
as  though  with  a  sudden  thought  he  held 
up  the  box  that  was  in  his  left  hand, 
saying : 

"  Well,  look  at  this,  sire,  and  we  '11  talk 
afterwards,"  and  he  stretched  out  his  hand 
with  the  box  in  it. 

Now  the  thing  stood  on  a  razor's  edge, 
for  the  King  whispered  to  Herbert : 

"What  is  it  ?     Go  and  take  it." 

But  Herbert  hesitated,  fearing  to  leave  the 
King,  whom  his  body  now  protected  as  though 
with  a  shield.  Rupert's  impatience  overcame 
him :  if  there  were  a  trap,  every  moment's 
delay  doubled  his  danger.  With  a  scornful 
laugh  he  exclaimed  : 

"Catch  it,  then,  if  you're  afraid  to  come 
for  it,"  and  he  flung  the  packet  to  Herbert 
or  the  King,  or  which  of  them  might  chance 
to  catch  it. 


THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS  THE  HOUND.  I49 

This  insolence  had  a  strange  result.  In 
an  instant,  with  a  fierce  growl  and  a  mighty 
bound,  Boris  was  at  the  stranger's  throat. 
Rupert  had  not  seen  or  had  not  heeded 
the  dog.  A  startled  oath  rang  out  from 
him.  He  snatched  the  revolver  from  his 
belt  and  fired  at  his  assailant.  This  shot 
must  have  broken  the  beast's  shoulder,  but 
it  only  half  arrested  his  spring.  His  great 
weight  was  still  hurled  on  Rupert's  chest, 
and  bore  him  back  on  his  knee.  The  packet 
that  he  had  flung  lay  unheeded.  The  King, 
wild  with  alarm  and  furious  with  anger  at 
his  favourite's  fate,  jumped  up  and  ran  past 
Rupert  into  the  next  room.  Herbert  followed ; 
even  as  they  went  Rupert  flung  the  wounded 
weakened  beast  from  him  and  darted  to  the 
doorway.  He  found  himself  facing  Herbert, 
who  held  a  boar- spear,  and  the  King,  who 
had  a  double-barrelled  hunting  gun.  He 
raised  his  left  hand,  Herbert  said — no  doubt 
he  still  asked  a  hearing — but  the  King  levelled 
his  weapon.  With  a  spring  Rupert  gained 
the  shelter  of  the  door,  the  bullet  sped  by 
him  and  buried  itself  in  the  wall  of  the 
room.  Then  Herbert  was  at  him  with  the 
boar-spear.  Explanations  must  wait  now : 
it  was  life  or  death ;  without  hesitation 
Rupert  fired  at  Herbert,  bringing  him  to  the 
ground  with  a  mortal  wound.  The  King's 
gun  was  at  his  shoulder  again. 

"You  damned  fool!"  roared  Rupert,  "if  you 


I50  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

must  have  it,  take  it,"  and  gun  and  revolver 
rang  out  at  the  same  moment.  But  Rupert — 
never  did  his  nerve  fail  him— hit,  the  King 
missed ;  Herbert  saw  the  Count  stand  for 
an  instant  v/ith  his  smoking  barrel  in  his 
hand,  looking  at  the  King  who  lay  on  the 
ground.  Then  Rupert  walked  towards  the 
door.  I  wish  I  had  seen  his  face  then  !  Did 
he  frown  or  smile  ?  Was  triumph  or  chagrin 
uppermost  ?    Remorse  ?    Not  he  I 

He  reached  the  door  and  passed  through. 
That  was  the  last  Herbert  saw  of  him ;  but 
the  fourth  actor  in  the  drama,  the  wordless 
player  whose  part  had  been  so  momentous, 
took  the  stage.  Limping  along,  now  whining 
in  sharp  agony,  now  growling  in  fierce  anger, 
with  blood  flowing  but  hair  bristling,  the 
hound  Boris  dragged  himself  across  the 
room,  through  the  door,  after  Rupert  of 
Hentzau.  Herbert  listened,  raising  his  head 
from  the  ground.  There  was  a  growl,  an 
oath,  the  sound  of  a  scuffle.  Rupert  must 
have  turned  in  time  to  receive  the  dog's 
spring.  The  beast,  maimed  and  crippled  by 
his  shattered  shoulder,  did  not  reach  his 
enemy's  face,  but  his  teeth  tore  away  the 
bit  of  cloth  that  we  had  found  held  in  the 
vice  of  his  jaws.  Then  came  another  shot, 
a  laugh,  retreating  steps,  and  a  door  slammed. 
With  that  last  sound  Herbert  awoke  to  the 
fact  of  the  Count's  escape ;  with  weary  efforts 
he   dragged  himself  into  the  passage.     The 


THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS  THE   HOUND.      15 1 

A 

idea  that  he  could  go  on  if  he  got  a  drink  of 
brandy  turned  him  in  the  direction  of  the  cellar. 
But  his  strength  failed,  and  he  sank  down 
where  we  found  him,  not  knowing  whether 
the  King  were  dead  or  still  alive,  and  unable 
even  to  make  his  way  back  to  the  room 
where  his  master  lay  stretched  on  the  ground. 

I  had  listened  to  the  story,  bound  as  though 
by  a  spell.  Half-way  through,  James's  hand 
had  crept  to  my  arm  and  rested  there ;  when 
Herbert  finished  I  heard  the  little  man  licking 
his  lips,  again  and  again  slapping  his  tongue 
against  them.  Then  I  looked  at  Sapt.  He 
was  pale  as  a  ghost,  and  the  lines  on  his 
face  seemed  to  have  grown  deeper.  He 
glanced  up  and  met  my  regard.  Neither  of 
us  spoke ;  we  exchanged  thoughts  with  our 
eyes.  "  This  is  our  work,"  we  said  to  one 
another.  **  It  was  our  trap — ^these  are  our 
victims."  I  cannot  even  now  think  of  that 
hour,  for  by  our  act  the  King  lay  dead. 

But  was  he  dead  ?  I  seized  Sapt  by  the 
arm.     His  glance  questioned  me. 

"The  King?"  I  whispered  hoarsely. 

*'  Yes,  the  King,"  he  returned. 

Facing  round,  we  walked  to  the  door  of 
the  dining-room.  Here  I  turned  suddenly 
faint,  and  clutched  at  the  Constable.  He  held 
me  up  and  pushed  the  door  wide  open.  The 
smell  of  powder  was  in  the  room ;  it  seemed 
as  if  the  smoke  hung  about,  curling  in  dim 
coils    round   the    chandelier,    wliich    gave    a 


152  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

subdued  light.  James  had  the  lamp  nov/, 
and  followed  us  with  it.  But  the  King  was 
not  there.  A  sudden  hope  filled  me.  He 
had  not  been  killed  then  !  I  regained  strength, 
and  darted  across  towards  the  inside  room. 
Here  too  the  light  was  dim,  and  I  turned  to 
beckon  for  the  lamp.  Sapt  and  James  came 
together,  and  stood  peering  over  my  shoulder 
in  the  doorway. 

The  King  lay  prone  on  the  floor,  face 
downwards,  near  the  bed.  He  had  crawled 
there,  seeking  for  some  place  to  rest,  as  we 
supposed.  He  did  not  move.  We  watched 
him  for  a  moment ;  the  silence  seemed  deeper 
than  silence  could  be.  At  last,  moved  by  a 
common  impulse,  we  stepped  forward,  but 
timidly,  as  though  we  approached  the  throne 
of  Death  itself.  I  was  the  first  to  kneel  by 
the  King  and  raise  his  head.  Blood  had 
flowed  from  his  lips,  but  it  had  ceased  to  flow 

now.     He  was  dead. 

I  felt  Sapt's  hand  on  my  shoulder.  Looking 
up,  I  saw  his  other  hand  stretched  out  towards 
the  ground.  I  turned  my  eyes  where  he 
pointed.  There,  in  the  King's  hand,  stained 
with  the  King's  blood,  was  the  box  that  I 
had  carried  to  Wintenberg  and  Rupert  of 
Hentzau  had  brought  to  the  lodge  that  night. 
It  was  not  rest,  but  the  box,  that  the  dying 
King  had  sought  in  his  last  moment.  I  bent, 
and  lifting  his  hand  unclasped  the  fingers, 
still  limp  and  warm. 


He  was  dead. 


THE  TEMPER  OF  BORIS  THE   HOUND.      I53 

Sapt  bent  down  with  sudden  eagerness. 

•*Is  it  open?"  he  whispered. 

The  string  was  round  it;  the  sealing-wax 
was  unbroken.  The  secret  had  outlived  the 
King,  and  he  had  gone  to  his  death  un- 
knowing. All  at  once — I  cannot  tell  why — 
I  put  my  hand  over  my  eyes;  I  found  my 
eyelashes  were  wet. 

"Is  it  open?"  asked  Sapt  again,  for  in  the 
dim  light  he  could  not  see. 

"  No,"  I  answered. 

"Thank  God!"  said  he.  And,  for  Sapt's, 
the  voice  was  soft. 


CHAPTER    IX. 
THE    KING    IN    THE    HUNTING-LODGE. 

THE  moment  with  its  shock  and  tumult 
of  feeling  brings  one  judgment,  later 
reflection  another.  Among  the  sins  of 
Rupert  of  Hentzau  I  do  not  assign  the  first 
and  greatest  place  to  his  killing  of  the  King. 
It  was  indeed  the  act  of  a  reckless  man  who 
stood  at  nothing  and  held  nothing  sacred; 
but  when  I  consider  Herbert's  story,  and 
trace  how  the  deed  came  to  be  done  and  the 
impulsion  of  circumstances  that  led  to  it,  it 
seems  to  have  been  in  some  sort  thrust  upon 
him  by  the  same  perverse  fate  that  dogged 
our  steps.  He  had  meant  the  King  no  harm 
— indeed  it  may  be  argued  that,  from  what- 
ever motive,  he  had  sought  to  serve  him 
— and  save  under  the  sudden  stress  of 
self-defence  he  had  done  him  none.  The 
King's  unlooked-for  ignorance  of  his  errand, 
Herbert's  honest  hasty  zeal,  the  temper  of 
Boris  the  hound,  had  forced  on  him  an  act 
unmeditated  and  utterly  against  his  interest. 
His  whole  guilt  lay  in  preferring  the  King's 
death  to  his  own — a  crime  perhaps  in  most 
men,  but  hardly  deserving  a  place  in  Rupert's 


»54 


THE   KING   IN   THE   HUNTING-LODGE.      155 

catalogue.  All  this  I  can  admit  now,  but  on 
that  night,  with  the  dead  body  lying  there 
before  us,  with  the  story  piteously  told  by 
Herbert's  faltering  voice  fresh  in  our  ears,  it 
was  hard  to  allow  any  such  extenuation. 
Our  hearts  cried  out  for  vengeance,  although 
we  ourselves  served  the  King  no  more. 
Nay,  it  may  well  be  that  we  hoped  to  stifle 
some  reproach  of  our  own  consciences  by  a 
louder  clamour  against  another's  sin,  or 
longed  to  offer  some  fancied  empty  atone- 
ment to  our  dead  master  by  executing  swift 
justice  on  the  man  who  had  killed  him.  I 
cannot  tell  fully  what  the  others  felt,  but  in 
me  at  least  the  dominant  impulse  was  to 
waste  not  a  moment  in  proclaiming  the  crime 
and  raising  the  whole  country  in  pursuit  of 
Rupert,  so  that  every  man  in  Ruritania  should 
quit  his  work,  his  pleasure,  or  his  bed,  and 
make  it  his  concern  to  take  the  Count  of 
Hentzau,  alive  or  dead.  I  remember  that  I 
walked  over  to  where  Sapt  was  sitting,  and 
caught  him  by  the  arm,  saying: 

*'We  must  raise  the  alarm.  If  you'll  go 
to  Zenda,  I  '11  start  for  Strelsau." 

"The  alarm?"  said  he,  looking  up  at  me 
and  tugging  his  moustache. 

"  Yes :  when  the  news  is  known,  every 
man  in  the  kingdom  will  be  on  the  look-out 
for  him,  and  he  can't  escape."  ^' 

"So  that  he'd  be  taken?"  asked  the  Con- 
stable. 


156  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

**Yes,  to  a  certainty!"  I  cried,  hot  in  ex- 
citement and  emotion. 

Sapt  glanced  across  at  Mr.  Rassendyll's 
servant.  James  had,  with  my  help,  raised 
the  King's  body  on  to  the  bed,  and  had 
aided  the  wounded  forester  to  reach  a  couch. 
He  stood  now  near  the  Constable,  in  his 
usual  unobtrusive  readiness.  He  did  not 
speak,  but  I  saw  a  look  of  understanding 
in  his  eyes  as  he  nodded  his  head  to 
Colonel  Sapt.  They  were  well  matched, 
that  pair,  hard  to  move,  hard  to  shake, 
not  to  be  turned  from  the  purpose  in  their 
minds  and  the  matter  that  lay  to  their 
hands. 

"Yes,  he'd  probably  be  taken  or  killed," 
said  Sapt. 

"Then  let's  do  it!"  I  cried. 

"With  the  Queen's  letter  on  him,"  said 
Colonel  Sapt. 

I  had  forgotten. 

"We  have  the  box,  he  has  the  letter  still," 
said  Sapt. 

I  could  have  laughed  even  at  that  moment. 
He  had  left  the  box  (whether  from  haste  or 
heedlessness  or  malice  we  could  not  tell), 
but  the  letter  was  on  him.  Taken  alive,  he 
would  use  that  powerful  weapon  to  save  his 
life  or  satisfy  his  anger;  if  it  were  found  on 
his  body,  its  evidence  would  speak  loud  and 
clear  to  all  the  world.  Again  he  was  pro- 
tected by  his  crime :  while  he  had  the  letter, 


THE   KI^G   IN   THE    HUNTING-LODGE.      1 57 

he  must  be  kept  inviolate  from  all  attack 
except  at  our  own  hands.  We  desired  his 
death,  but  we  must  be  his  bodyguard  and 
die  in  his  defence  rather  than  let  any  other 
but  ourselves  come  at  him.  No  open  means 
must  be  used,  and  no  allies  sought.  All  this 
rushed  to  my  mind  at  Sapt's  words,  and  I 
saw  what  the  Constable  and  James  had 
never  forgotten.  But  what  to  do  I  could  not 
see.     For  the  King  of  Ruritania  lay  dead. 

An  hour  or  more  had  passed  since  our  dis- 
covery, and  it  was  now  close  on  midnight. 
Had  all  gone  well  we  ought  by  this  time 
to  have  been  far  on  our  road  back  to  the 
Castle ;  by  this  time  Rupert  must  be  miles 
away  from  where  he  had  killed  the  King  ; 
already  Mr.  Rassendyll  would  be  seeking  his 
enemy  in  Strelsau. 

"  But  what  are  we  to  do  about — about  that, 
then  ? "  I  asked,  pointing  with  my  finger 
through  the  doorway  towards  the  bed. 

Sapt  gave  a  last  tug  at  his  moustache,  then 
crossed  his  hands  on  the  hilt  of  the  sword 
between  his  knees  and  leant  forward  in  his 
chair. 

"  Nothing,"  he  said,  looking  in  my  face. 
"  Until  we  have  the  letter,  nothing." 

"But  it's  impossible,"  I  cried. 

"Why,  no,  Fritz,"  he  answered  thought- 
fully. **  It 's  not  impossible  yet ;  it  may 
become  so.  But  if  we  can  catch  Rupert  in 
the  next  day,  or  even  in  the  next  two  days, 


158  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

it's  not  impossible.  Only  let  me  have  that 
letter,  and  I'll  account  for  the  concealment. 
What?  Is  the  fact  that  crimes  are  known 
never  concealed,  for  fear  of  putting  the 
criminal  on  his  guard?" 

"You'll  be  able  to  make  a  story,  sir," 
James  put  in,  with  a  grave  but  reassuring 
air. 

"Yes,  James,  I  shall  be  able  to  make  a 
story,  or  your  master  will  make  one  for  me. 
But,  by  God,  story  or  no  story,  the  letter 
mustn't  be  found.  Let  them  say  we  killed 
him  ourselves  if  they  like,  but " 

I  seized  his  hand  and  gripped  it. 

"You  don't  doubt  I'm  with  you?"  I  asked. 

"Not  for  a  moment,  Fritz,"  he  answered. 

"Then  how  can  we  do  it?" 

We  drew  nearer  together;  Sapt  and  I  sat, 
while  James  leant  over  Sapt's  chair. 

The  oil  in  the  lamp  was  almost  exhausted, 
and  the  light  burnt  very  dim.  Now  and 
again  poor  Herbert,  for  whom  our  skill  could 
do  nothing,  gave  a  low  moan.  I  am  ashamed 
to  remember  how  little  we  thought  of  him, 
but  great  schemes  make  the  actors  in  them 
careless  of  humanity ;  the  life  of  a  man  goes 
for  nothing  against  a  point  in  the  game. 
Except  for  his  groans — and  they  grew  fainter 
and  less  frequent — our  voices  alone  broke  the 
silence  of  the  little  lodge. 

"The  Queen  must  know,"  said  Sapt.  "Let 
her  stay  at  Zenda  and  give  out  that  the  King 


THE   KING   IN   THE   HUNTING-LODGE.      1 59 

is  at  the  lodge  for  a  day  or  two  longer.  Then 
you,  Fritz — for  you  must  ride  to  the  Castle 
at  once — and  Bemenstein  must  get  to  Strelsau 
as  quick  as  you  can,  and  find  Rudolf  Rassen- 
dyll.  You  three  ought  to  be  able  to  track 
young  Rupert  down  and  get  the  letter  from 
him.  If  he  *s  not  in  the  city,  you  must  catch 
Rischenheim  and  force  him  to  say  where  he 
is;  we  know  Rischenheim  can  be  persuaded. 
If  Rupert 's  there,  I  need  give  no  advice  either 
to  you  or  to  Rudolf." 

"And  you?" 

"James  and  I  stay  here.  If  any  one  comes 
whom  we  can  keep  out,  the  King  is  ill.  If 
rumours  get  about,  and  great  folk  come,  why, 
they  must  enter." 

"But  the  body?" 

"  This  morning,  when  you  're  gone,  we 
shall  make  a  temporary  grave.  I  daresay 
two,"  and  he  jerked  his  thumb  towards  poor 
Herbert.  "  Or  even,"  he  added  with  his  grim 
smile,  "three — for  our  friend  Boris,  too,  must 
be  out  of  sight." 

"You'll  bury  the  King?" 

"Not  so  deep  but  that  we  can  take  him 
out  again,  poor  fellow.  Well,  Fritz,  have 
you  a  better  plan  ?  " 

I  had  no  plan,  and  I  was  not  in  love  with 
Sapt's  plan.  Yet  it  offered  us  four- and -twenty 
hours.  For  that  time,  at  least,  it  seemed  as 
if  the  secret  could  be  kept.  Beyond  that  we 
could  hardly  hope  for  success:   after  that  we 


l6o  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

must  produce  the  King;    dead  or  alive,  the 
King  must  be   seen.      Yet  it  might   be  that 
before  the  respite  ran  out   Rupert  would  be 
ours.      In  fine,  what  else  could  be  chosen  ? 
For  now  a  greater  peril  threatened  than  that 
against  which  we  had  at  the  first  sought  to 
guard.     Then  the  worst  we  feared  was  that 
the  letter  should  come  to  the  King's  hands. 
That    could   never  be.      But  it  would   be   a 
worse  thing  if  it  were  found  on  Rupert,  and 
all  the  kingdom,  nay,  all   Europe,  knew  that 
it  was  written  in  the  hand  of  her  who  was 
now  in  her  own  right    Queen  of  Ruritania. 
To  save  her  from   that  no  chance  was  too 
desperate,  no  scheme  too  perilous;    yes,   if, 
as    Sapt    said,    we    ourselves    were    held    to 
answer  for  the  King's  death,  still  we  must  go 
on.    I,  through  whose  negligence  the  whole 
train  of  disaster  had  been  laid,  was  the  last 
man  to  hesitate.     In  all  honesty  I  held  my 
life  due  and  forfeit,  should  it  be  demanded  of 
me — my  life  and,  before  the  world,  my  honour. 
So  the  plan  was  made.      A  grave  was  to 
be  dug  ready  for  the   King ;    if  need  arose, 
his  body  should  be  laid  in  it,  and  the  place 
chosen  was  under  the  floor  of  the  wine-cellar. 
When  death  came  to  poor  Herbert,  he  could 
lie  in  the  yard  behind  the  house  ;    for  Boris 
they  meditated  a  resting-place  under  the  tree 
where  our  horses  were  tethered.    There  was 
nothing  to  keep  me,   and  I  rose ;    but  as  I 
rose,  I  heard  the  forester's  voice  call  plain- 


THE   KING   IN   THE   HUNTING-LODGE.      l6l 

tivcly  for  me.  The  unlucky  fellow  knew  me 
well,  and  now  cried  to  me  to  sit  by  him.  I 
think  Sapt  wanted  me  to  leave  him ;  but  I 
could  not  refuse  his  last  request,  even  though 
it  consumed  some  precious  minutes.  He  was 
very  near  his  end,  and,  sitting  by  him,  I  did 
my  best  to  soothe  his  passing.  His  fortitude 
was  good  to  see,  and  I  believe  that  we  all  at 
last  found  new  courage  for  our  enterprise  from 
seeing  how  tjais  humble  man  met  death.  At 
least  even  the  Constable  ceased  to  show 
impatience,  and  let  me  stay  till  I  could  close 
the  sufferer's  eyes. 

But  thus  time  went,  and  it  was  nearly  five 
in  the  morning  before  I  bade  them  farewell 
and  mounted  my  horse.  They  took  theirs 
and  led  them  away  to  the  stables  behind  the 
lodge ;  I  waved  my  hand  and  gallopped  off  on 
my  return  to  the  Castle.  Day  was  dawning, 
and  the  air  was  fresh  and  pure.  The  new 
light  brought  new  hope;  fears  seemed  to 
vanish  before  it ;  my  nerves  were  strung  to 
effort  and  to  confidence.  My  horse  moved 
freely  under  me  and  carried  me  easily  along 
the  grassy  avenues.  It  was  hard  then  to  be 
utterly  despondent,  hard  to  doubt  skill  of 
brain,  strength  of  hand,  or  fortune's  favour. 

The  Castle  came  ki  sight,  and  I  hailed  it 
with  a  glad  cry  that  ©choed  among  the  trees. 
But  a  moment  later  I  gave  an  exclamation  of 
surprise,  and  raised  myself  a  little  from  the 
saddle  while  I  gazed  earnestly  at  the  summit 


i62  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

of  the  keep.  The  flagstaff  was  naixd ;  the 
royal  standard  that  had  flapped  in  the  wind 
last  night  was  gone.  But  by  immemorial 
custom  the  flag  flew  on  the  keep  when  the 
King  or  the  Queen  was  at  the  Castle.  It 
would  fly  for  Rudolf  V.  no  more ;  but  why  did 
it  not  proclaim  and  honour  the  presence  of 
Queen  Flavia  ?  I  sat  down  in  my  saddle  and 
spurred  my  horse  to  the  top  of  his  speed. 
We  had  been  buffeted  by  fate  sorely ;  but 
now  I  feared  yet  another  blow. 

In  a  quarter  of  an  hour  more  I  was  at  the 
door.  A  servant  ran  out,  and  I  dismounted 
leisurely  and  easily.  Pulling  off  my  gloves  I 
dusted  my  boots  with  them,  turned  to  the 
stableman  and  bade  him  look  to  the  horse, 
and  then  said  to  the  footman  : 

**  As  soon  as  the  Queen  is  dressed,  find  out 
if  she  can  see  me.  I  have  a  message  from 
His  Majesty." 

The  fellow  looked  a  little  puzzled ;  but  at 
this  moment  Hermann,  the  King's  major- 
domo,  came  to  the  door. 

"  Isn't  the  Constable  with  you,  my  lord  ?  " 
he  asked. 

"No,  the  Constable  remains  at  the  lodge 
with  the  King,"  said  I  carelessly,  though  I 
was  very  far  from  careless.  "  I  have  a 
message  for  Her  Majesty,  Hermann.  Find 
out  from  some  of  the  women  when  she  will 
receive  me." 

<'  The   Queen  's  not  here,"  said  he.     "  In- 


THE    KING    IN   THE    HUNTING-LODGE.      163 

deed  we've  had  a  lively  time,  my  lord.  At 
five  o'clock  she  came  out,  ready  dressed,  from 
her  room,  sent  for  Lieutenant  von  Bernen- 
stein,  and  announced  that  she  was  about  to 
set  out  from  the  Castle.  As  you  know,  the 
mail  train  passes  here  at  six."  Hermann 
took  out  his  watch.  "  Yes,  the  Queen  must 
just  have  left  the  station." 

"Where  for?"  I  asked,  with  a  shrug  for 
the  woman's  whim. 

"Why,  for  Strelsau.-  She  gave  no  reasons 
for  going,  and  took  with  her  only  one  lady. 
Lieutenant  von  Bernenstein  being  in  attend- 
ance. It  was  a  bustle,  if  you  like,  with  every- 
body to  be  roused  and  got  out  of  bed,  and  a 
carriage  to  be  made  ready,  and  messages  to 
go  to  the  station,  and " 

"  She  gave  no  reasons  ?  " 

"  None,  my  lord.  She  left  with  me  a  letter 
to  the  Constable,  which  she  ordered  me  to 
give  into  his  own  hands  as  soon  as  he  arrived 
at  the  Castle.  She  said  it  contained  a  message 
of  importance,  which  the  Constable  was  to 
convey  to  the  King,  and  that  it  must  be 
entrusted  to  nobody  except  Colonel  Sapt 
himself.  I  wonder,  my  lord,  that  you  didn't 
notice  that  the  flag  was  hauled  down." 

"  Tut,  man,  I  wasn't  staring  at  the  keep. 
Give  me  the  letter."  For  I  saw  that  the  clue 
to  this  fresh  puzzle  must  lie  under  the  cover 
of  Sapt's  letter.  That  letter  I  must  myself 
carry  to  Sapt,  and  without  loss  of  time. 


1 64  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  Give  you  the  letter,  my  lord  ?  But, 
pardon  me,  you're  not  the  Constable."  He 
laughed  a  little. 

"  Why,  no,"  said  I,  mustering  a  smile. 
"  It 's  true  that  I  *m  not  the  Constable,  but 
I  'm  going  to  the  Constable.  I  had  the  King's 
orders  to  rejoin  him  as  soon  as  I  had  seen 
the  Queen ;  and  since  Her  Majesty  isn't  here, 
I  shall  return  to  the  lodge  directly  a  fresh 
horse  can  be  saddled  for  me.  And  the  Con- 
stable 's  at  the  lodge.    Come,  the  letter !  " 

"I  can't  give  it  you,  my  lord.  Her  Majesty's 
orders  were  positive." 

"  Nonsense.  If  she  had  known  I  should 
come  and  not  the  Constable,  she  would  have 
told  me  to  carry  it  to  him." 

"I  don't  know  about  that,  my  lord:  her 
orders  were  plain,  and  she  doesn't  like  being 
disobeyed." 

The  stableman  had  led  the  horse  away, 
the  footman  had  disappeared,  Hermann  and 
I  were  alone. 

"  Give  me  the  letter,"  I  said ;  and  I  know 
that  my  self-control  failed,  and  eagerness 
was  plain  in  my  voice.  Plain  it  was,  and 
Hermann  took  alarm.  He  started  back, 
clapping  his  hand  to  the  breast  of  his  laced 
coat.  The  gesture  betrayed  where  the  letter 
was :  I  was  past  prudence ;  I  sprang  on  him 
and  wrenched  his  hand  away,  catching  him 
by  the  throat  with  my  other  hand.  Diving 
into   his   pocket,   I   got   the   letter.      Then   I 


/  got  the  letter. 


THE   KING   IN   THE   HUNTING-LODGE.     165 

suddenly  loosed  hold  of  him,  for  his  eyes 
were  starting  out  of  his  head.  I  took  out  a 
couple  of  gold  pieces  and  gave  them  to  him. 

"It's  urgent,  you  fool,"  said  I.  "Hold 
your  tongue  about  it."  And  without  waiting 
to  study  his  amazed  red  face  I  turned  and 
ran  towards  the  stables.  In  five  minutes  I  was 
on  a  fresh  horse;  in  six  I  was  clear  of  the 
Castle,  heading  back  fast  as  I  could  for  the 
hunting-lodge.  Even  now  Hermann  remem- 
bers the  grip  I  gave  him — though  doubtless 
he  has  long  spent  the  pieces  of  gold. 

When  I  reached  the  end  of  this  second 
journey,  I  came  in  for  the  obsequies  of  Boris. 
James  was  just  patting  the  ground  under  the 
tree  with  a  mattock  when  I  rode  up  ;  Sapt 
was  standing  by,  smoking  his  pipe.  The  boots 
of  both  were  stained  and  sticky  with  mud. 
I  flung  myself  from  my  saddle  and  blurted 
out  my  news.  The  Constable  snatched  at 
his  letter  with  an  oath ;  James  levelled  the 
ground  with  careful  accuracy ;  I  do  not 
remember  doing  anything  except  wiping  my 
forehead  and  feeling  very  hungry. 

"  Good  Lord,  she 's  gone  after  him  !  "  said 
Sapt,  as  he  read.  Then  he  handed  me  the 
letter. 

I  will  not  set  out  what  the  Queen  wrote. 
The  purport  seemed  to  us,  who  did  not 
share  her  feelings,  pathetic  indeed  and 
moving,  but  in  the  end  (to  speak  plainly) 
folly.     She  had  tried  to  endure  her  sojourn 


1 66  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

at  Zenda,  she  said ;  but  it  drove  her  mad. 
She  could  not  rest ;  she  did  not  know  how 
we  fared,  nor  those  in  Strelsau :  for  hours 
she  had  lain  awake ;  then  at  last  falling 
asleep  she  had  dreamed.  '*  I  had  had  the 
same  dream  before.  Now  it  came  again.  I 
saw  him  so  plain.  He  seemed  to  me  to  be 
King,  and  to  be  called  King.  But  he  did 
not  answer  nor  move.  He  seemed  dead ; 
and  I  could  not  rest."  So  she  wrote,  ever 
excusing  herself,  ever  repeating  how  some- 
thing drew  her  to  Strelsau,  telling  her  that 
she  must  go  if  she  would  see  "  him  whom 
you  know"  alive  again.  "And  I  must  see 
him — ah,  I  must  see  him  *  If  the  King  has 
had  the  letter,  I  am  ruined  already.  If  he 
has  not,  tell  him  what  you  will  or  what 
you  can  contrive.  I  must  go.  It  came  a 
second  time,  and  all  so  plain.  I  saw  him, 
I  tell  you  I  saw  him.  Ah,  I  must  see 
him  again.  I  swear  that  I  will  only  see 
him  once.  He's  in  danger —I  know  he's 
in  danger ;  or  v^^hat  does  the  dream  mean  ? 
Bernenstein  will  go  with  me,  and  I  shall 
see  him.  Do,  do  forgive  me :  I  can't  stay, 
the  dream  was  so  plain."  Thus  she  ended, 
seeming,  poor  lady,  half  frantic  with  the 
visions  that  her  own  troubled  brain  and 
desolate  heart  had  conjured  up  to  torment 
her.  I  did  not  know  that  she  had  before 
told  Mr.  Rassendyll  himself  of  this  strange 
dream;    though   I    lay  small    store    by  such 


THE   KING   IN   THE   HUNTING-LODGE.     167 

matters,  believing  that  we  ourselves  make 
our  dreams,  fashioning  out  of  the  fears  and 
hopes  of  to-day  what  seems  to  come  by 
night  in  the  guise  of  a  mysterious  revela- 
tion. Yet  there  are  some  things  that  a  man 
cannot  understand,  and  I  do  not  profess  to 
measure  with    my  mind  the  ways  of  God. 

However,  not  why  the  Queen  went,  but 
that  she  had  gone,  concerned  us.  We  had 
returned  to  the  house  now,  and  James, 
remembering  that  men  must  eat  though 
kings  die,  was  getting  us  some  breakfast. 
In  fact  I  had  great  need  of  food,  being 
utterly  worn  out ;  and  they,  after  their 
labours,  were  hardly  less  weary.  As  we 
ate,  we  talked ;  and  it  was  plain  to  us  that 
I  also  must  go  to  Strelsau.  There,  in  the 
city,  the  drama  must  be  played  out.  There 
was  Rudolf,  there  Rischenheim,  there  in  all 
likelihood  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  there  now  the 
Queen.  And  of  these  Rupert  alone,  or 
perhaps  Rischenheim  also,  knew  that  the 
King  was  dead,  and  how  the  issue  of  last 
night  had  shaped  itself  under  the  compelling 
hand  of  wayward  fortune.  The  King  lay 
in  peace  on  his  bed,  his  grave  was  dug ; 
Sapt  and  James  held  the  secret  with  solemn 
faith  and  ready  lives.  To  Strelsau  I  must 
go,  to  tell  the  Queen  that  she  was  widowed, 
and  to  aim  the  stroke  at  young  Rupert's 
heart. 
At    nine    in    the    morning    I    started    from 


1 68  RUPERT   OF   HENTZAU. 

the  lodge.  I  was  bound  to  ride  to  Hofbau, 
and  there  wait  for  a  train  which  would  carry 
me  to  the  capital.  From  Hofbau  I  could  send 
a  message ;  but  the  message  must  announce 
only  my  own  coming,  not  the  news  I  carried. 
To  Sapt,  thanks  to  the  cipher,  I  could  send 
word  at  any  time,  and  he  bade  me  ask 
Mr.  Rassendyll  whether  he  should  come  to 
our  aid,  or  stay  where  he  was. 

"A  day  must  decide  the  whole  thing," 
he  said.  "We  can't  conceal  the  King's 
death  long.  For  God's  sake,  Fritz,  make 
an  end  of  that  young  villain,  and  get  the 
letter." 

So,  wasting  no  time  in  farewells,  I  set  out. 
By  ten  o'clock  I  was  at  Hofbau,  for  I  rode 
furiously.  From  there  I  sent  to  Bernenstein 
at  the  Palace  word  of  my  coming.  But  there 
I  was  delayed.  There  was  no  train  for  an 
hour. 

"  I  '11  ride ! "  I  cried  to  myself,  only  to  re- 
member the  next  moment  that,  if  I  rode,  I 
should  come  to  my  journey's  end  much  later. 
There  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  wait,  and  it 
may  be  imagined  in  what  mood  I  waited. 
Every  minute  seemed  an  hour,  and  I  know 
not  to  this  day  how  the  hour  wore  itself 
away.  .  I  ate,  I  drank,  I  smoked,  I  walked, 
sat,  and  stood.  The  station-master  j  knew 
me,  and  thought  I  had  gone  mad,  till  I  told 
him  that  I  carried  most  important  despatches, 
and  that  the  delay  imperilled  great  interests. 


THE   KING   IN   THE   HUNTING-LODGE.      1 69 

Then  he  became  sympathetic  ;  but  what  could 
he  do  ?  No  special  train  was  to  be  had  at 
a  roadside  station  :  I  must  wait ;  and  wait 
somehow,  and  without  blowing  my  brains  out, 
I  did. 

At  last  I  was  in  the  train;  now  indeed  we 
moved,  and  I  came  nearer.  An  hour's  run 
brought  me  in  sight  of  the  city.  Then,  to 
my  unutterable  wrath,  we  were  stopped,  and 
waited  twenty  minutes  or  half  an  hour.  At 
last  we  started  again ;  had  we  not,  I  should 
have  jumped  out  and  run,  for  to  sit  longer 
motionless  would  have  driven  me  mad.  Now 
we  entered  the  station.  With  a  great  effort 
I  calmed  myself.  I  lolled  back  in  my  seat; 
when  we  stopped  I  sat  there  till  a  porter 
opened  the  door.  In  lazy  leisureliness  I 
bade  him  get  me  a  cab,  and  followed  him 
across  the  station.  He  held  the  door  for  me, 
and,  giving  him  his  douceur,  I  set  my  foot 
on  the  step. 

**  Tell  him  to  drive  to  the  Palace,"  said  I, 
"and  to  be  quick.  I'm  late  already,  thanks 
to  this  cursed  train." 

"The  old  mare  'U  soon  take  you  there,  sir," 
said  the  driver. 

I  jumped  in.  But  at  this  moment  I  saw  a 
man  on  the  platform  beckoning  with  his  hand 
and  hastening  towards  me.  The  cabman  also 
saw  him  and  waited.  I  dared  not  tell  him  to 
drive  on,  for  I  feared  to  betray  any  undue 
haste,  and  it  would  have  looked  strange  not  to 


170  RUPERT   OF    HENTZAU. 

spare  a  moment  to  my  wife's  cousin,  Anton  von 
Strofzin.  He  came  up,  holding  out  his  hand 
delicately  gloved  in  pearl-grey  kid,  for  young 
Anton  was  a  leader  of  the  Strelsau  dandies. 

"  Ah,  my  dear  Fritz !  "  said  he.  "  I  am  glad 
I  hold  no  appointment  at  Court.  How  dread- 
fully active  you  all  are !  I  thought  you  were 
settled  at  Zen  da  for  a  month  ?  " 

"  The  Queen  changed  her  mind  suddenly," 
said  I,  smiling.  "  Ladies  do,  as  you  know 
well,  you  who  know  all  about  them." 

My  compliment,  or  insinuation,  produced  a 
pleased  smile  and  a  gallant  twirling  of  his 
moustache. 

"Well,  I  thought  you'd  be  here  soon,"  he 
said;  "but  I  didn't  know  that  the  Queen  had 
come." 

"  You  didn't  ?  Then  why  did  you  look  out 
for  me?" 

He  opened  his  eyes  a  little  in  languid 
elegant  surprise. 

"  Oh,  I  supposed  you  'd  be  on  duty,  or 
something,  and  have  to  come.  Aren't  you  in 
attendance?" 

"  On  the  Queen  ?     No,  not  just  now." 

"But  on  the  King?" 

"Why,  yes,"  said  I,  and  I  leant  forward. 
"At  least  I'm  engaged  now  on  the  King's 
business." 

"  Precisely,"  said  he.  "  So  I  thought  you'd 
come,  as  soon  as  I  heard  that  the  King  was 
here." 


THE    KING   IN   THE   HUNTING-LODGE.      171 

It  may  be  that  I  ought  to  have  preserved 
my  composure.  But  I  am  not  Sapt  nor 
Rudolf  Rassendyll. 

"  The  King  here  ? "  I  gasped,  clutching 
him  by  the  arm. 

"  Of  course.  You  didn't  know  ?  Yes, 
he's  in  town." 

But  I  heeded  him  no  more.  For  a  moment 
I  could  not  speak,  then  I  cried  to  the  cabman : 

'•To  the  Palace.    And  drive  like  the  devil!" 

We  shot  away,  leaving  Anton  open-mouthed 
in  wonder.  I  sank  back  on  the  cushions,  fairly 
aghast.  The  King  lay  dead  in  the  hunting- 
lodge,  but  the  King  was  in  his  capital ! 

Of  course  the  truth  soon  flashed  through 
my  mind,  but  it  brought  no  comfort.  Rudolf 
Rassendyll  was  in  Strelsau.  He  had  been 
seen  by  somebody  and  taken  for  the  King. 
But  comfort  ?  What  comfort  was  there, 
now  that  the  King  was  dead  and  could 
never  come  to  the  rescue  of  his  counterfeit? 

In  fact  the  truth  was  worse  than  I  con- 
ceived. Had  I  known  it  all,  I  might  well 
have  yielded  to  despair.  For  not  by  the 
chance  uncertain  sight  of  a  passer  -  by, 
not  by  mere  rumour  which  might  have  been 
sturdily  denied,  not  by  the  evidence  of  one 
only  or  of  two,  was  the  King's  presence  in 
the  city  known.  That  day,  by  the  witness 
of  a  crowd  of  people,  by  his  own  claim 
and  his  own  voice,  aye,  and  by  the  assent 
of  the   Queen    herself,    Mr.   Rassendyll   was 


172  RUPERT   OF   HENTZAU. 

taken  to  be  the  King  in  Strelsau,  while 
neither  he  nor  Queen  Flavia  knew  that  the 
King  was  dead.  I  must  now  relate  the 
strange  and  perverse  succession  of  events 
which  forced  them  to  employ  a  resource 
so  dangerous  and  face  a  peril  so  immense. 
Yet  great  and  perilous  as  they  knew  the 
risk  to  be  even  when  they  dared  it,  in  the 
light  of  what  they  did  not  knov/  it  was  more 
fearful  and  more  fatal  still. 


CHAPTER    X. 

THE     KING     IN     STRELSAU. 

MR.  RASSENDYLL  reached  Strelsau 
from  Zcnda  without  accident  about 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the 
same  day  as  that  which  witnessed  the 
tragedy  of  the  hunting-lodge.  He  could  have 
arrived  sooner,  but  prudence  did  not  allow 
him  to  enter  the  populous  suburbs  of  the 
town  till  the  darkness  guarded  him  from 
notice.  The  gates  of  the  city  were  no  longer 
shut  at  sunset,  as  they  used  to  be  in  the 
days  when  Duke  Michael  was  Governor, 
and  Rudolf  passed  them  without  difficulty. 
Fortunately  the  night,  fine  where  we  were, 
was  wet  and  stormy  at  Strelsau;  thus  there 
were  few  people  in  the  streets,  and  he 
was  able  to  gain  the  door  of  my  house 
still  unremarked.  Here,  of  course,  a  danger 
presented  itself.  None  of  my  servants  were 
in  the  secret;  only  my  wife,  in  whom  the 
Queen  herself  had  confided,  knew  Rudolf, 
and  she  did  not  expect  to  see  him,  since 
she  was  ignorant  of  the  recent  course  of 
events.  Rudolf  was  quite  alive  to  the  peril, 
and  regretted  the  absence  of  his  faithful 
attendant,  who   could  have  cleared  the  way 


173 


174  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

for  him.  The  pouring  rain  gave  him  an 
excuse  for  twisting  a  scarf  about  his  face 
and  pulling  his  coat-collar  up  to  his  ears, 
while  the  gusts  of  wind  made  the  cramming 
of  his  hat  low  down  over  his  eyes  no  more 
than  a  natural  precaution  against  its  loss. 
Thus  masked  from  curious  eyes,  he  drew 
rein  before  my  door,  and,  having  dismounted, 
rang  the  bell.  When  the  butler  came  a 
strange  hoarse  voice,  half- stifled  by  folds 
of  scarf,  asked  for  the  Countess,  alleging 
for  pretext  a  message  from  myself.  The 
man  hesitated,  as  well  he  might,  to  leave 
the  stranger  alone  with  the  door  open  and 
the  contents  of  the  hall  at  his  mercy.  Mur- 
muring an  apology  in  case  his  visitor  should 
prove  to  be  a  gentleman,  he  shut  the  door 
and  went  in  search  of  his  mistress.  His 
description  of  the  untimely  caller  at  once 
roused  my  wife's  quick  wit ;  she  had  heard 
from  me  how  Rudolf  had  ridden  once  from 
Strelsau  to  the  hunting-lodge  with  muffled 
face :  a  very  tall  man  with  his  face  wrapped 
in  a  scarf  and  his  hat  over  his  eyes,  who 
came  with  a  private  message,  suggested  to 
her  at  least  a  possibility  of  Mr.  Rassendyll's 
arrival.  ^  Helga  never  will  admit  that  she  is 
clever,  yet  I  find  she  discovers  from  me 
what  she  wants  to  know,  and^I  suspect 
hides  successfully  the  small  matters  of  which 
she  in  her  wifely  discretion  deems  I  had  best 
remain  ignorant.     Being  able  thus  to  manage 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU.  175 

mc,  she  was  equal  to  coping  with  the  butler. 
She  laid  aside  her  embroidery  most  com- 
posedly. 

"Ah,  yes,"  she  said,  **I  know  the  gentle- 
man. Surely  you  haven't  left  him  out  in 
the  rain?"  She  was  anxious  lest  Rudolfs 
features  should  have  been  exposed  too  long 
to  the  light  of  the  hall-lamps. 

The  butler  stammered  an  apology,  ex- 
plaining his  fear  for  our  goods  and  the 
impossibility  of  distinguishing  social  rank  on 
a  dark  night.  Helga  cut  him  short  with  an 
impatient  gesture,  crying,  "  How  stupid  of 
you !  "  and  herself  ran  quickly  down  and 
opened  the  door— a  little  way  only,  though. 
The  first  sight  of  Mr.  Rassendyll  confirmed 
her  suspicions ;  in  a  moment,  she  said,  she 
knew  his  eyes. 

"It  is  you,  then?"  she  cried.  "And  my 
foolish  servant  has  left  you  in  the  rain  I 
Pray  come  in.  Oh,  but  your  horse  !  "  She 
turned  to  the  penitent  butler,  who  had  fol- 
lowed her  downstairs.  "  Take  the  Baron's 
horse  round  to  the  stables,"  she  said. 

"  I  will  send  someone  at  once,  my  lady." 

"  No,  no,  take  it  yourself—take  it  at  once. 
I  '11  look  after  the  Baron." 

Reluctantly  and  ruefully  the  fat  fellow 
stepped  out  into  the  storm.  Rudolf  drew 
back  and  let  him  pass,  then  he  entered 
quickly,  to  find  himself  alone  with  Helga  in 
the    hall.     With    a  finger    on    her    lips,   she 


176  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

led  him  swiftly  into  a  small  sitting-room 
on  the  ground  floor,  which  I  used  as  a  sort 
of  office  or  place  of  business.  It  looked 
out  on  the  street,  and  the  rain  could  be 
heard  driving  against  the  broad  panes  of 
the  window.  Rudolf  turned  to  her  with  a 
smile,   and,   bowing,   kissed  her  hand. 

"The  Baron  what,  my  dear  Countess?" 
he  inquired. 

"  He  won't  ask,"  said  she  with  a  shrug. 
"Do  tell  me  what  brings  you  here,  and 
what  has  happened." 

He  told  her  very  briefly  all  he  knew. 
She  hid  bravely  her  alarm  at  hearing  that 
I  might  perhaps  meet  Rupert  at  the  lodge, 
and  at  once  listened  to  what  Rudolf  wanted 
of  her. 

"Can  I  get  out  of  the  house  and,  if  need 
be,  back  again  unnoticed?"  he  asked. 

"The  door  is  locked  at  night,  and  only 
Fritz  and  the  butler  have  keys." 

Mr.  Rassendyll's  eye  travelled  to  the 
window  of  the  room. 

"I  haven't  grown  so  fat  that  I  can't  get 
through  there,"  said  he.  "So  we'd  better 
not  trouble  the  butler.     He'd  talk,  you  know." 

"I  will  sit  here  all  night  and  keep  every- 
body from  the  room." 

"  I  may  come  back  pursued  if  I  bungle 
my  work  and  an   alarm   is  raised." 

"Your  work?"  she  asked,  shrinking  back 
a  little. 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU.  1 77 

"Yes,"  said  he.  "Don't  ask  what  it  is, 
Countess.     It  is  in  the  Queen's   service." 

"  For  the  Queen  I  will  do  anything  and 
everything,  as   Fritz  would." 

He  took  her  hand  and  pressed  it  in  a 
friendly  encouraging    way. 

"Then  I  may  issue  my  orders?"  he 
asked,  smiling. 

"They  shall  be  obeyed." 

"Then  a  dry  cloak,  a  little  supper,  and 
this  room  to   myself,  except  for  you." 

As  he  spoke  the  butler  turned  the  handle 
of  the  door.  My  wife  flew  across  the 
room,  opened  the  door,  and,  while  Rudolf 
turned  his  back,  directed  the  man  to  bring 
some  cold  meat,  or  whatever  could  be  ready 
with  as  little  delay  as  possible. 

"  Now  come  with  me,"  she  said  to  Rudolf, 
directly  the  servant  was  gone. 

Sh3  took  him  to  my  dressing-room,  where 
he  got  dry  clothes  ;  then  she  saw  the  supper 
laid,  ordered  a  bedroom  to  be  prepared,  told 
the  butler  that  she  had  business  with  the 
Baron  and  that  he  need  not  sit  up  if  she 
were  later  than  eleven,  dismissed  him,  and 
went  to  tell  Rudolf  that  the  coast  was  clear 
for  his  return  to  the  sitting-room.  He  came, 
expressing  admiration  for  her  courage  and 
address :  I  take  leave  to  think  that  she 
deserved  his  compliments.  He  made  a  hasty 
supper  ;  then  they  talked  together,  Rudolf 
smoking  his  cigar.  Eleven  came  and  went. 
12 


178  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


It  was  not  yet  time.  My  wife  opened  the 
door  and  looked  out.  The  hall  was  dark, 
the  door  locked  and  its  key  in  the  hands  of 
the  butler.  She  closed  the  door  again  and 
softly  locked  it.  As  the  clock  struck  twelve 
Rudolf  rose  and  turned  the  lamp  very  low. 
Then  he  unfastened  the  shutters  noiselessly, 
raised  the  window  and  looked  out. 

**  Shut  them  again  when  I  'm  gone,"  he 
whispered.  "If  I  come  back,  I  '11  knock 
like  this,   and  you  '11  open  for  me." 

"  For  heaven's  sake  be  careful  ! "  she 
murmured,   catching  at  his  hand. 

He  nodded  reassuringly,  and  crossing  his 
leg  over  the  window-sill  sat  there  for  a 
moment  listening.  The  storm  was  as  fierce 
as  ever,  and  the  street  was  deserted.  He 
let  himself  down  on  to  the  pavement,  his 
face  again  wrapped  up.  She  watched  his 
tall  figure  stride  quickly  along  till  a  turn  of 
the  road  hid  it.  Then,  having  closed  the 
window  and  the  shutters  again,  she  sat 
down  to  keep  her  watch,  praying  for  him, 
for  me,  and  for  her  dear  mistress  the  Queen. 
For  she  knew  that  perilous  work  was  a-foot 
that  night,  and  did  not  know  whom  it 
might  threaten   or  whom   destroy. 

From  the  moment  that  Mr.  Rassendyll 
thus  left  my  house  at  midnight  on  his  search 
for  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  every  hour  and 
almost  every  moment  brought  its  incident 
in  the  swiftly  moving  drama  which  decided 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU  1 79 

the  issues  of  our  fortune.  What  we  were 
doing  has  been  told ;  by  now  Rupert  himself 
was  on  his  way  back  to  the  city,  and  the 
Queen  was  meditating,  in  her  restless  vigil, 
on  the  resolve  that  in  a  few  hours  was  to 
bring  her  also  to  Strelsau.  Even  in  the  dead 
of  night  both  sides  were  active.  For,  plan 
cautiously  and  skilfully  as  he  might,  Rudolf 
fought  with  an  antagonist  who  lost  no 
chances,  and  who  had  found  an  apt  and 
useful  tool  in  that  same  Bauer,  a  rascal 
and  a  cunning  rascal,  if  ever  one  were  bred 
in  the  world.  From  the  beginning  even  to 
the  end  our  error  lay  in  taking  too  little 
count  of  this  fellow,  and  dear  was  the  price 
we  paid. 

Both  to  my  wife  and  to  Rudolf  himself 
the  street  had  seemed  empty  of  any  living 
being  when  she  watched  and  he  set  out. 
Yet  everything  had  been  seen,  from  his  first 
arrival  to  the  moment  when  she  closed  the 
window  after  him.  At  either  end  of  my 
house  there  runs  out  a  projection,  formed 
by  the  bay  windows  of  the  principal  drawing- 
room  and  of  the  dining-room  respectively. 
These  projecting  walls  form  shadows,  and  in 
the  shade  of  one  of  them — of  which  I  do  not 
know,  nor  is  it  of  moment — a  man  watched 
all  that  passed;  had  he  been  anywhere  else, 
Rudolf  must  have  seen  him.  If  we  had  not 
been  too  engrossed  in  playing  our  own  hands, 
it  would  doubtless  have  struck  us  as  probable 


iSo  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

that  Rupert  would  direct  Rischenheim  and 
Bauer  to  keep  an  eye  on  my  house  during 
his  absence;  for  it  was  there  that  any  of 
us  who  found  our  way  to  the  city  would 
naturally  resort  in  the  first  instance.  As  a 
fact,  he  had  not  omitted  this  precaution. 
The  night  was  so  dark  that  the  spy,  who 
had  seen  the  king  but  once  and  never  Mr. 
Rassendyll,  did  not  recognise  who  the 
visitor  was;  but  he  rightly  conceived  that 
he  would  serve  his  employer  by  tracking 
the  steps  of  the  tall  man  who  made  so 
mysterious  an  arrival  and  so  surreptitious 
a  departure  from  the  suspected  house. 
Accordingly,  as  Rudolf  turned  the  corner 
and  Helga  left  the  window,  a  short  thick- 
set figure  started  cautiously  out  of  the 
projecting  shadow,  and  followed  in  Rudolfs 
wake  through  the  storm.  The  pair,  tracker 
and  tracked,  met  nobody,  save  here  and 
there  a  police-constable  keeping  a  most  un- 
willing beat.  Even  such  were  fev7,  and  for 
the  most  part  more  intent  on  sheltering  in 
the  lee  of  a  friendly  wall  and  thereby  keep- 
ing a  dry  stitch  or  tvv^o  on  them  than  on 
taking  note  of  passers-by.  On  the  pair 
went.  Now  Rudolf  turned  into  the  Konig- 
strasse.  As  he  did  so,  Bauer,  who  must 
have  been  nearly  a  hundred  yards  behind 
(for  he  could  not  start  till  the  shutters 
were  closed),  quickened  his  pace  and  reduced 
the  interval  between  them  to  about  seventy 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU.  l8l 

yards.  This  he  might  well  have  thought  a 
safe  distance  on  a  night  so  wild,  when  the 
rush  of  the  wind  and  the  pelt  of  the  rain 
joined  to  hide  the  sound  of  footsteps. 

But  Bauer  reasoned  as  a  townsman,  and 
Rudolf  Rassendyll  had  the  quick  ear  of  a 
man  bred  in  the  country  and  trained  to  the 
woodland.  All  at  once  there  was  a  jerk  of 
his  head ;  I  know  so  v/ell  the  motion  which 
marked  awakened  attention  in  him.  He  did 
not  pause  nor  break  his  stride  :  to  do  either 
would  have  been  to  betray  his  suspicions  to 
his  follower ;  but  he  crossed  the  road  to  the 
opposite  side  to  that  where  No.  19  was 
situated,  and  slackened  his  pace  a  little,  so 
that  there  might  be  a  longer  interval  between 
his  footfalls.  The  steps  behind  him  grew 
slower,  even  as  his  did ;  their  sound  came 
no  nearer ;  the  follower  would  not  overtake. 
Now  a  man  who  loiters  on  such  a  night,  just 
because  another  ahead  of  him  is  fool  enough 
to  loiter,  has  a  reason  for  his  action  other 
than  what  can  be  detected  at  first  sight.  So 
thought  Rudolf  Rassendyll,  and  his  brain  was 
busy  with  finding  it  out. 

Then  an  idea  seized  him,  and,  forgetting 
the  precautions  that  had  hitherto  served  so 
well,  he  came  to  a  sudden  stop  on  the 
pavement,  engrossed  in  deep  thought.  Was 
the  man  who  dogged  his  steps  Rupert  him- 
self ?  It  would  be  like  Rupert  to  track 
him,  like  Rupert  to  conceive  such  an  attack, 


lS2  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

like  Rupert  to  be  ready  either  for  a  fearless 
assault  from  the  front  or  a  shameless  shot 
from  behind,  and  indifferent  utterly  which 
chance  offered,  so  it  threw  him  one  of  them. 
Mr.  Rassendyll  asked  no  better  than  to  meet 
his  enemy  thus  in  the  open.  They  could 
fight  a  fair  fight,  and  if  he  fell  the  lamp 
would  be  caught  up  and  carried  on  by  Sapt's 
hand  or  mine ;  if  he  got  the  better  of 
Rupert,  the  letter  would  be  his ;  a  moment 
would  destroy  it  and  give  safety  to  the 
Queen.  I  do  not  suppose  that  he  spent 
time  in  thinking  how  he  should  escape  arrest 
at  the  hands  of  the  police  whom  the  fracas 
would  probably  rouse  ;  if  he  did,  he  may  well 
have  reckoned  on  declaring  plainly  who  he 
was,  of  laughing  at  their  surprise  over  a 
chance  likeness  to  the  King,  and  of  trusting 
to  us  to  smuggle  him  beyond  the  arm  of 
the  law.  What  mattered  all  that,  so  that 
there  was  a  moment  in  which  to  destroy  the 
letter  ?  At  any  rate  he  turned  full  round 
and  began  to  walk  straight  towards  Bauer, 
his  hand  resting  on  the  revolver  in  the 
pocket   of  his   coat. 

Bauer  saw  him  coming,  and  must  have 
known  that  he  was  suspected  or  detected. 
At  once  the  cunning  fellow  slouched  his 
head  between  his  shoulders,  and  set  out 
along  the  street  at  a  quick  shuffle,  whistling 
as  he  went.  Rudolf  stood  still  now  in  the 
middle  of  the  road,  wondering  who  the  man 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU.  1^3 

was :  whether  Rupert,  purposely  disguising 
his  gait,  or  a  confederate,  or,  after  all,  some 
person  innocent  of  our  secret  and  indifferent 
to  our  schemes.  On  came  Bauer,  softly 
whistling  and  slushing  his  feet  carelessly 
through  the  liquid  mud.  Now  he  was  nearly 
opposite  where  Mr.  Rassendyll  stood.  Rudolf 
was  well-nigh  convinced  that  the  man  had 
been  on  his  track:  he  would  make  certainty 
surer.  The  bold  game  was  always  his 
choice  and  his  delight ;  this  trait  he  shared 
with  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  and  hence  arose, 
I  think,  the  strange  secret  inclination  he 
had  for  his  unscrupulous  opponent.  Now 
he  walked  suddenly  across  to  Bauer,  and 
spoke  to  him  in  his  natural  voice,  at  the 
same  time  removing  the  scarf  partly,  but 
not  altogether,  from  his  face: 

"You're  out  late,  my  friend,  for  a  night 
like  this." 

Bauer,  startled  though  he  was  by  the 
unexpected  challenge,  had  his  wits  about 
him.  Whether  he  identified  Rudolf  at  once 
I  do  not  know ;  I  think  that  he  must  at 
least  have   suspected  the  truth. 

"  A  lad  that  has  no  home  to  go  to  must 
needs  be  out  both  late  and  early,  sir,"  said 
he,  arresting  his  shuffling  steps,  and  looking 
up  with  that  honest  stolid  air  which  had 
made   a  fool  of  me. 

I  had  described  him  very  minutely  to 
Mr.   Rassendyll ;    if  Bauer  knew   or   guessed 


184  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


who  his  challenger  was,  Mr.  Rassendyll  was 
as  well  equipped  for  the  encounter.         '»* 

"No  home  to  go  to !  "  cried  Rudolf  in  a 
pitying  tone.  "How's  that?  But  anyhow 
heaven  forbid  that  you  or  any  man  should 
walk  the  streets  a  night  like  this!  Come, 
I'll  give  you  a  bed.  Come  with  me,  and  I'll 
find  you   good    shelter,  my  boy." 

Bauer  shrank  away.  He  did  not  see  the 
meaning  of  this  stroke,  and  his  eye,  travelling 
up  the  street,  showed  that  his  thoughts  had 
turned  towards  flight.  Rudolf  gave  no  time 
for  putting  any  such  notion  into  effect. 
Maintaining  his  air  of  genial  compassion,  he 
passed  his  left  arm  through  Bauer's  right, 
saying,  as  he  led  him  across  the  road: 

"  I  'm  a  Christian  man,  and  a  bed  you 
shall  have  this  night,  my  lad,  as  sure  as 
I  'm  alive.  Come  along  with  me.  The 
devil,   it 's  not  weather  for  standing  still !  " 

The  carrying  of  arms  in  Strelsau  was 
forbidden.  Bauer  had  no  wish  to  get  into 
trouble  with  the  police,  and,  moreover,  he 
had  intended  nothing  but  a  reconnaissance ; 
he  was  therefore  v^ithout  any  weapon,  and 
he  was  a  child  in  Rudolfs  grasp.  He  had 
no  alternative  but  to  obey  the  suasion  of 
Mr.  Rassendyll' s  arm,  and  they  two  began 
to  walk  down  the  Konigstrasse.  Bauer's 
whistle  had  died  away,  not  to  return ; 
but  from  time  to  time  Rudolf  hummed 
softly    a    cheerful    tune,    his    fingers    beating 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU.  185 

time  on  Bauer's  captive  arm.  Presently 
they  crossed  the  road  again.  Bauer's  lagging 
steps  indicated  that  he  took  no  pleasure  in 
the  change  of  side,  but  he  could  not  resist. 

"Aye,  you  shall  go  where  I'm  going,  my 
lad,"  said  Rudolf  encouragingly;  and  he 
laughed  a  little  as  he  looked  down  at  the 
fellow's   face. 

Along  they  went;  soon  they  came  to  the 
small  numbers  at  the  station  end  of  the 
Konigstrasse.  Rudolf  began  to  peer  at  the 
shop  fronts. 

"It's  cursed  dark,"  said  he.  "Pray,  lad, 
can  you  make  out  which  is  nineteen  ? " 

The  moment  he  had  spoken  the  smile 
broadened  on  his  face.  The  shot  had  gone 
home.  Bauer  was  a  clever  scoundrel,  but 
his  nerves  were  not  under  perfect  control, 
and  his  arm  had  quivered   under  Rudolfs. 

"Nineteen,  sir?"  he  stammered. 

"Aye,  nineteen.  That's  where  we're 
bound  for,  you  and  I.  There  I  hope  we 
shall  find — what  we  want." 

Bauer  seemed  bewildered:  no  doubt  he 
was  at  a  loss  how  either  to  understand  or 
to  parry  the  bold  attack. 

"Ah,  this  looks  like  it,"  said  Rudolf  in  a 
tone  of  great  satisfaction,  as  they  came  to 
old  mother  Holf's  little  shop.  "Isn't  that 
a  one  and  a  nine  over  the  door,  my  lad? 
Ah,  and  Holf!  Yes,  that's  the  name.  Pray 
ring  the  bell.     My  hands  are  occupied." 


l86  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Rudolf's  hands  were  indeed  occupied :  one 
held  Bauer's  arm,  now  no  longer  with  a 
friendly  pressure,  but  with  a  grip  of  iron ; 
in  the  other  the  captive  saw  the  revolver, 
which  had  till  now  lain  hidden. 

*'  You  see  ? "  asked  Rudolf  pleasantly. 
"You  must  ring  for  me,  mustn't  you?  It 
would  startle  them  if  I  roused  them  vAth 
a  shot."  A  motion  of  the  barrel  told  Bauer 
the  direction   which  the   shot    would  take. 

"There's  no  bell,"  said  Bauer  sullenly. 

"  Ah,  then  you  knock  ?  " 

"  I  suppose  so." 

**In  any  particular  way,  my  friend?" 

**I  don't  know,"  growled  Bauer. 

"Nor  I.     Can't  you  guess?" 

"  No,  I  know  nothing  of  it." 

"  Well,  we  must  try.     You  knock,  and 

Listen,  my  lad.  You  must  guess  right.  You 
understand  ?  " 

"  How  can  I  guess  ?  "  asked  Bauer,  in  an 
attempt  at  bluster. 

"  Indeed  I  don't  know,"  smiled  Rudolf. 
"  But  I  hate  waiting,  and  if  the  door  is 
not  open  in  two  minutes  I  shall  arouse 
the  good  folk  with  a  shot.  You  see  ?  You 
quite  see,  don't  you  ? "  Again  the  barrel's 
motion  pointed  and  explained  Mr.  Rassen- 
dyll's   meaning. 

Under  this  powerful  persuasion  Bauer 
yielded.  He  lifted  his  hand  and  knocked  on 
the  door  with  his  knuckles,  first  loudly,  then 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU.  187 

very  softly,  the  gentler  stroke  being  repeated 
five  times  in  rapid  succession.  Clearly  he 
was  expected,  for  without  any  sound  of  ap- 
proaching feet  the  chain  was  unfastened  with 
a  subdued  rattle.  Then  came  the  noise  of 
the  bolt  being  cautiously  worked  back  into 
its  socket.  As  it  shot  home  a  chink  of  the 
door  opened.  At  the  same  moment  Rudolfs 
hand  slipped  from  Bauer's  arm.  With  a 
swift  movement  he  caught  the  fellow  by 
the  nape  of  the  neck  and  flung  him  violently 
into  the  roadway,  where,  losing  his  footing, 
he  fell  sprawling  face  -  downwards  in  the 
mud.  Rudolf  threw  himself  against  the 
door :  it  yielded,  he  was  inside,  and  in  an 
instant  he  had  shut  the  door  and  driven 
the  bolt  home  again,  leaving  Bauer  in  the 
gutter  outside.  Then  he  turned  with  his 
hand  on  the  butt  of  his  revolver.  I  know 
that  he  hoped  to  find  Rupert  of  Hentzau's 
face  within   a   foot   of  his. 

Neither  Rupert  nor  Rischenheim,  nor  even 
the  old  woman,  fronted  him  :  a  tall,  hand- 
some, dark  girl  faced  him,  holding  an  oil 
lamp  in  her  hand.  He  did  not  know  her, 
but  I  could  have  told  him  that  she  was  old 
mother  Holf's  youngest  child,  Rosa,  for  I 
had  often  seen  her  as  I  rode  through  the 
town  of  Zenda  with  the  King,  before  the  old 
lady  moved  her  dvvelling  to  Strelsau.  Indeed 
the  girl  had  seemed  to  dog  the  King's 
footsteps,  and  he  had   himself  joked  on  her 


l88  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

obvious  efforts  to  attract  his  attention,  and 
the  languishing  glances  of  her  great  black 
eyes.  But  it  is  the  lot  of  prominent  person- 
ages to  inspire  these  strange  passions,  and 
the  King  had  spent  as  little  thought  on  her 
as  on  any  of  the  romantic  girls  who  found  a 
naughty  delight  in  half-fanciful  devotion  to 
him — devotion  starting  in  many  cases,  by  an 
irony  of  which  the  King  was  happily  uncon- 
scious, from  the  brave  figure  that  he  made 
at  his  coronation  and  his  picturesque  daring 
in  the  affair  of  Black  Michael.  The  wor- 
shippers never  came  near  enough  to  perceive 
the  alteration  in  their  idol. 

The  half,  then,  at  least  of  Rosa's  attach- 
ment was  justly  due  to  the  man  who  now 
stood  opposite  to  her,  looking  at  her  with 
surprise  by  the  murky  light  of  the  strong- 
smelling  oil-lamp.  The  lamp  shook  and 
almost  fell  from  her  hand  when  she  saw 
him ;  for  the  scarf  had  slid  away,  and  his 
features  were  exposed  to  full  view.  Fright, 
delight,  and  excitement  vied  with  one  another 
in  her  eyes. 

"  The  King ! "  she  whispered  in  amaze- 
ment.    "No,  but "  And  she  searched  his 

face  wonderingly. 

**Is  it  the  beard  you  miss?"  asked  Rudolf, 
fingering  his  chin.  "  Mayn't  kings  shave 
when  they  please  as  well  as  other  men  ? " 
Her  face  still  expressed  bewilderment,  and 
still  a  lingering  doubt.    He  bent  towards  her, 


THE    KING    IN    STRELSAU.  189 


whispering,  "  Perhaps  I  wasn't  over-anxious 
to  be  known  at  once." 

She  flushed  with  pleasure  at  the  confidence 
he  seemed  to  put  in  her. 

**  I  should  know  you  anywhere,"  she  whis- 
pered, v/ith  a  glance  of  the  great  black  eyes. 
**  Anyv/here,  Your  Majesty." 

"Then  you'll  help  me  perhaps?" 

"  With  my  life  !  " 

"No,  no,  my  dear  young  lady,  merely 
with  a  little  information.  Whose  house  is 
this  ?  " 

"  My  mother's." 

"Ah!    She  takes   lodgers?" 

The  girl  appeared  vexed  at  his  cautious 
approaches. 

"  Tell  me  what  you  want  to  know,"  she 
said   simply. 

"Then  who's  here?" 

"  My  lord  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim," 

"  And  what 's  he  doing  ?  " 

"  He 's  lying  on  the  bed  moaning  and 
swearing,  because  his  wounded  arm  gives 
him   pain." 

"  And  is  nobody  else  here  ?  " 

She  looked  round  warily,  and  sank  her 
voice  to  a  whisper  as   she  answered : 

"  No,   not  now — nobody  else." 

"I  was  seeking  a  friend  of  mine,"  said 
Rudolf.  "  I  want  to  see  him  alone.  It 's 
not  easy  for  a  King  to  see  people  alone." 

"You  mean ?" 


igo  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"Well,   you  know  who   I   mean." 

"Yes.  No,  he's  gone;  but  he's  gone  to 
find  you." 

"To  find  me?  Plague  take  it!  How  do 
you  know  that,   my  pretty  lady?" 

"Bauer  told  me." 

"Ah,   Bauer!     And  who's   Bauer?" 

"The  man  who  knocked.  Why  did  you 
shut  him   out  ?  " 

"To  be  alone  with  you,  to  be  sure.  So 
Bauer  tells  you  his   master's   secrets?" 

She  acknowledged  his  raillery  with  a 
coquettish  laugh.  It  was  not  amiss  for  the 
King  to  see  that   she  had  her  admirers. 

"Well,  and  where  has  this  foolish  Count 
gone  to  meet  me  ?  "   asked   Rudolf   lightly. 

"You  haven't   seen  him?" 

"No;  I  come  straight  from  the  Castle  of 
Zenda." 

"But,"  she  cried,  "he  expected  to  find 
you  at  the  hunting-lodge.  Ah,  but  now  I 
recollect!  The  Count  of  Rischenheim  was 
greatly  vexed  to  find,  on  his  return,  that 
his  cousin  was  gone." 

"Ah,  he  was  gone!  Now  I  see!  Rischen- 
heim brought  a  message  from  me  to  Count 
Rupert." 

"And  they  missed  one  another.  Your 
Majesty  ?  " 

"  Exactly,  my  dear  young  lady.  Very 
vexatious  it  is,  upon  my  word!"  In  this 
remark,    at    least,    Rudolf    spoke    no    more 


THE    KING    IN    STRET.SAU.  191 


and  no  other  than  he  felt.  "But  when  do 
you  expect  the  Count  of  Hentzau  ? "  he 
pursued. 

"Early  in  the  morning,  Your  Majesty — 
at   seven   or  eight." 

Rudolf  came  nearer  to  her,  and  took  a 
couple   of   gold  coins   from   his   pocket. 

"I  don't  want  money.  Your  Majesty,"  she 
murmured. 

"  Oh,  make  a  hole  in  them  and  hang  them 
round  your  neck." 

**  Ah,  yes :  yes,  give  them  to  me,"  she 
cried,   holding   out  her  hand   eagerly. 

"You'll  earn  them?"  he  asked,  playfully 
holding  them   out   of  her  reach. 

"How?" 

"  By  being  ready  to  open  to  me  when  I 
come  at  eleven  and  knock  as  Bauer 
knocked." 

"Yes,   I'll  be  there." 

"  And  by  telling  nobody  that  I  've  been 
here  to-night.     Will  you  promise  me  that?" 

"  Not  my  mother  ?  " 

"  No." 

"Nor  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim ?" 

"  Him  least  of  all.  You  must  tell  nobody. 
My  business  is  very  private,  and  Rischen- 
heim   doesn't  know   it." 

"  I  '11  do  all  you  tell  me.  But— but  Bauer 
knov/s." 

"True,"  said  Rudolf:  "Bauer  knows. 
Well,   we'll  see  about  Bauer." 


192  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

As  he  spoke  he  turned  towards  the  door. 
Suddenly  the  girl  bent,  snatched  at  his 
hand,   and  kissed  it. 

"I  would  die  for  you,"   she  murmured. 

"  Poor  child !  "  said  he  gently.  I  believe 
he  was  loth  to  make  profit,  even  in  the 
Queen's  service,  of  her  poor  foolish  love. 
He  laid  his  hand  on  the  door,  but  paused 
a  moment  to   say : 

"If  Bauer  comes,  you  have  told  me 
nothing.  Mind,  nothing!  I  threatened  you, 
but  you  told  me  nothing." 

"He'll  tell  them  you  have  been  here." 

"  That  can't  be  helped ;  at  least  they  won't 
know  when  I  shall  arrive  again.  Good- 
night." 

Rudolf  opened  the  door  and  slipped  through, 
closing  it  hastily  behind  him.  If  Bauer  got 
back  to  the  house,  his  visit  must  be  known; 
but  if  he  could  intercept  Bauer,  the  girl's 
silence  was  assured.  He  stood  just  outside, 
listening  intently  and  searching  the  darkness 
with  eager  eyes. 


CHAPTER     XI. 
WHAT    THE     CHANCELLOR'S     WIFE     SAW. 

THE  night,  so  precious  in  its  silence, 
solitude,  and  darkness,  was  waning 
fast :  soon  the  first  dim  approaches  of 
day  would  be  visible,  soon  the  streets  would 
become  alive  and  people  be  about.  Before 
then  Rudolf  Rassendyll,  the  man  who  bore 
a  face  that  he  dared  not  show  in  open  day, 
must  be  under  cover;  else  men  would  say 
that  the  King  was  in  Strelsau,  and  the  news 
would  flash  in  a  few  hours  through  the 
kingdom  and  (so  Rudolf  feared)  reach  even 
those  ears  which  we  knew  to  be  shut  to  all 
earthly  sounds.  But  there  was  still  some 
time  at  Mr.  Rassendyll' s  disposal,  and  he 
could  not  spend  it  better  than  in  pursuing 
his  fight  with  Bauer.  Taking  a  leaf  out  of 
the  rascal's  own  book,  he  drew  himself  back 
into  the  shadow  of  the  house  walls  and 
prepared  to  wait.  At  the  worst  he  could 
keep  the  fellow  from  communicating  with 
Rischenheim  for  a  little  longer,  and  his  hope 
was  that  Bauer  would  steal  back  after  a 
while  and  reconnoitre  with  a  view  to  dis- 
covering how  matters  stood,  whether  the 
unwelcome  visitor  had  taken   his   departure 


193 


194  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

and  the  way  to  Rischenheim  were  open. 
Wrapping  his  scarf  closely  round  his  face, 
Rudolf  waited,  patiently  enduring  the  tedium 
as  he  best  might,  drenched  by  the  rain 
which  fell  steadily,  and  very  imperfectly 
sheltered  from  the  buffeting  of  the  wind. 
Minutes  went  by ;  there  were  no  signs  of 
Bauer  nor  of  anybody  else  in  the  silent 
street.  Yet  Rudolf  did  not  venture  to  leave 
his  post;  Bauer  would  seize  the  opportunity 
to  slip  in;  perhaps  Bauer  had  seen  him 
come  out,  and  was  in  his  turn  waiting  till 
the  coast  should  be  clear;  or,  again,  perhaps 
the  useful  spy  had  gone  off  to  intercept 
Rupert  of  Hentzau,  and  warn  him  of  the 
danger  in  the  Konigstrasse.  Ignorant  of  the 
truth  and  compelled  to  accept  all  these 
chances,  Rudolf  waited,  still  watching  the 
distant  beginnings  of  dawning  day,  which 
must  soon  drive  him  to  his  hiding-place 
again.  Meanwhile  my  poor  wife  waited  also, 
a  prey  to  every  fear  that  a  woman's  sensitive 
mind  can  imagine  and  feed  upon. 

Rudolf  turned  his  head  this  way  and 
that,  seeking  always  the  darker  blot  of 
shadow  that  would  mean  a  human  being. 
For  awhile  his  search  was  vain,  but  pre- 
sently he  found  what  he  looked  for— aye, 
and  even  more.  On  the  same  side  of  the 
street,  to  his  left  hand,  from  the  direction 
of  the  station,  not  one  but  three  blurred 
shapes   moved   up   the   street.     They  came 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.      I95 

Stealthily,  yet  quickly ;  with  caution,  but 
without  pause  or  hesitation.  Rudolf,  scent- 
ing danger,  flattened  himself  close  against 
the  wall  and  felt  for  his  revolver.  Very 
likely  they  were  only  early  workers  or 
late  revellers,  but  he  was  ready  for 
something  else  ;  he  had  not  yet  sighted 
Bauer,  and  action  was  to  be  looked  for 
from  the  man.  By  infinitely  gradual  side- 
long slitherings  he  moved  a  few  paces  from 
the  door  of  Mother  Holf's  house,  and  stood 
six  feet  perhaps,  or  eight,  on  the  right-hand 
side  of  it.  The  three  came  on.  He  strained 
his  eyes  in  the  effort  to  discern  their 
features.  In  that  dim  light  certainty  was 
impossible,  but  the  one  in  the  middle  might 
well  be  Bauer:  the  height,  the  walk,  and 
the  make  were  much  what  Bauer's  were. 
If  it  were  Bauer,  then  Bauer  had  friends, 
and  Bauer  and  his  friends  seemed  to  be 
stalking  some  game.  Always  most  carefully 
and  gradually,  Rudolf  edged  yet  farther  from 
the  shop.  At  a  distance  of  some  five  yards 
he  halted  finally,  drew  out  his  revolver, 
covered  the  man  whom  he  took  to  be 
Bauer,  and  thus  waited  his  fortune  and  his 
chance. 

Now  it  was  plain  that  Bauer — for  Bauer 
it  was — would  look  for  one  of  two  things: 
what  he  hoped  was  to  find  Rudolf  still  in 
the  house,  what  he  feared  was  to  be  told 
that    Rudolf,    having    fulfilled    the    unknown 


196  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

purpose  of  his  visit,  was  gone  whole  and 
sound.  If  the  latter  tidings  met  him,  these 
two  good  friends  of  his  whom  he  had 
enlisted  for  his  reinforcement  were  to  have 
five  crowns  each  and  go  home  in  peace; 
if  the  former,  they  were  to  do  their  work 
and  make  ten  crowns.  Years  after,  one  of 
them  told  me  the  whole  story  without  shame 
or  reserve.  What  their  work  was,  the  heavy 
bludgeons  they  carried  and  the  long  knife 
that  one  of  them  had  lent  to  Bauer  showed 
pretty  clearly.  But  neither  to  Bauer  nor  to 
them  did  it  occur  that  their  quarry  might 
be  crouching  near,  hunting  as  well  as  hunted. 
Not  that  the  pair  of  ruffians  who  had  been 
thus  hired  would  have  hesitated  for  that 
thought,  as  I  imagine.  For  it  is  strange, 
yet  certain,  that  the  zenith  of  courage  and 
the  acme  of  villainy  can  both  be  bought 
for  the  price  of  a  lady's  glove;  among 
such  outcasts  as  those  from  whom  Bauer 
drew  his  recruits  the  murder  of  a  man  is 
held  serious  only  when  the  police  are  by, 
and  death  at  the  hands  of  him  they  seek 
to  kill  is  no  more  than  an  everyday  risk 
of  their  employment. 

**  Here 's  the  house,"  whispered  Bauer, 
stopping  at  the  door.  "  Now  I  '11  knock, 
and  you  stand  by  to  knock  him  on  the 
head  if  he  runs  out.  He 's  got  a  six- 
shooter,   so  lose  no  time." 

"*He'll  only    fire    it    in    heaven,"  growled 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.      197 

a    hoarse    guttural    voice    that    ended    in    a 
chuckle. 

"  But  if  he 's  gone  ?  "  objected  the  other 
auxiliary. 

*'  Then  I  know  where  he  's  gone,"  answered 
Bauer.     "Are  you  ready?" 

A  ruffian  stood  on  either  side  of  the  door 
with  uplifted  bludgeon.  Bauer  raised  his 
hand  to    knock. 

Rudolf  knew  that  Rischenheim  was  within, 
and  he  feared  that  Bauer,  hearing  that  the 
stranger  had  gone,  would  take  the  oppor- 
tunity of  telling  the  Count  of  his  visit.  The 
Count  would  in  his  turn  warn  Rupert  of 
Hentzau,  and  the  work  of  catching  the 
ringleader  would  all  fall  to  be  done  again. 
At  no  time  did  Mr.  Rassendyll  take  count 
of  odds  against  him,  but  in  this  instance 
he  may  well  have  thought  himself,  with  his 
revolver,  a  match  for  the  three  ruffians. 
At  any  rate,  before  Bauer  had  time  to  give 
the  signal,  he  sprang  out  suddenly  from 
the  wall  and  darted  at  the  fellow.  His 
onset  was  so  sudden  that  the  other  two 
fell  back  a  pace ;  Rudolf  caught  Bauer  fairly 
by  the  throat.  I  do  not  suppose  that  he 
meant  to  strangle  him,  but  the  anger,  long 
stored  in  his  heart,  found  vent  in  the  fierce 
grip  of  his  fingers.  It  is  certain  that  Bauer 
thought  his  time  was  come,  unless  he  struck 
a  blow  for  himself.  Instantly  he  raised  his 
hand  and  thrust  fiercely  at  Rudolf  with  his 


igS  RUPERT   OF    HENTZAU. 

long  knife.  Mr.  Rassendyll  would  have  been 
a  dead  man,  had  he  not  loosed  his  hold  and 
sprung  lightly  away.  But  Bauer  sprang  at 
him  again,  thrusting  with  the  knife,  and 
crying  to  his  associates,  "  Club  him,  you 
fools,  club  him  !  " 

Thus  exhorted,  one  jumped  forward.  The 
moment  for  hesitation  had  gone.  In  spite  of 
the  noise  of  wind  and  pelting  rain,  the  sound 
of  a  shot  risked  much  ;  but  not  to  fire  was 
death.  Rudolf  fired  full  at  Bauer :  the  fellow 
saw  his  intention  and  tried  to  leap  behind 
one  of  his  companions  ;  he  was  just  too  late, 
and  fell  with  a  groan  to  the  ground. 

Again  the  other  ruffians  shrank  back,  ap- 
palled by  the  sudden  ruthless  decision  of 
the  act.  Mr.  Rassendyll  laughed.  A  half- 
smothered  yet  uncontrolled  oath  broke  from 
one  of  them.  "  By  God  !  "  he  whispered 
hoarsely,  gazing  at  Rudolfs  face  and  letting 
his  arm  fall  to  his  side.  "  My  God ! "  he 
said  then,  and  his  mouth  hung  open.  Again 
Rudolf  laughed  at  his  terrified  stare. 

"A  bigger  job  than  you  fancied,  is  it?" 
he  asked,  pushing  his  scarf  well  away  from 
his  chin. 

The  man  gaped  at  him ;  the  other's  eyes 
asked  wondering  questions,  but  neither  did 
he  attempt  to  resume  the  attack.  The  first 
at  last   found   voice,  and  he   said  : 

"Well,  it'd  be  damned  cheap  at  ten  crowns, 
and  that's  the  living  truth." 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.      199 

His  friend — or  confederate  rather,  for  such 
men  have  no  friends — looked  on,  still  amazed. 

"Take  up  that  fellow  by  his  head  and  his 
heels,"  ordered  Rudolf.  "Quickly!  I  suppose 
you  don't  want  the  police  to  find  us  here 
with  him,  do  you  ?  Well,  no  more  do  I. 
Lift  him  up." 

As  he  spoke  Rudolf  turned  to  knock  on 
the  door  of  No.  19. 

But  even  as  he  did  so  Bauer  groaned. 
Dead  perhaps  he  ought  to  have  been,  but 
it  seems  to  me  that  fate  is  always  ready  to 
take  the  cream  and  leave  the  scum.  His 
leap  aside  had  served  him  well  after  all :  he 
had  nearly  escaped  scot  free.  As  it  was,  the 
bullet,  without  missing  his  head  altogether, 
had  just  glanced  on  his  temple  as  it  passed ; 
its  impact  had  stunned  but  not  killed.  Friend 
Bauer  was  in  unusual  luck  that  night ;  I 
wouldn't  have  taken  a  hundred  to  one  about 
his  chance  of  life.  Rudolf  arrested  his  hand. 
It  would  not  do  to  leave  Bauer  at  the  house, 
if  Bauer  were  likely  to  regain  speech.  He 
stood  for  a  moment  considering  what  to  do, 
but  in  an  instant  the  thoughts  that  he  tried 
to  gather  were  scattered  again. 

"  The  patrol,  the  patrol  !  "  hoarsely 
whispered  the  fellow  who  had  not  yet 
spoken.  There  was  a  sound  of  the  hoofs 
of  horses.  Down  the  street  from  the  station- 
end  there  appeared  two  mounted  men. 
Without  a  second's  hesitation  the  two  rascals 


200  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

dropped  their  friend  Bauer  with  a  thud  on 
the  ground;  one  ran  at  his  full  speed 
across  the  street,  the  other  bolted  no  less 
quickly  up  the  Konigstrasse.  Neither  could 
afford  to  meet  the  constables;  and  who 
could  say  what  story  this  red-haired  gentle- 
man might  tell,  aye,  or  what  powers  he 
might   command  ? 

But  in  truth  Rudolf  gave  no  thought 
to  either  his  story  or  his  powers.  If  he 
were  caught,  the  best  he  could  hope  would 
be  to  lie  in  the  lock-up  while  Rupert  played 
his  game  unmolested.  The  device  that  he 
had  employed  against  the  amazed  ruffians 
could  be  used  against  lawful  authority  only 
as  a  last  and  desperate  resort.  While  he 
could  run,  run  he  would.  In  an  instant  he 
also  took  to  his  heels,  following  the  fellow 
who  had  darted  up  the  Konigstrasse.  But 
before  he  had  gone  very  far,  coming  to  a 
narrow  turning,  he  shot  down  it;  then  he 
paused  for  a  moment  to  listen. 

The  patrol  had  seen  the  sudden  dispersal 
of  the  group,  and,  struck  with  natural 
suspicion,  quickened  pace.  A  few  minutes 
brought  them  where  Bauer  was.  They 
jumped  from  their  horses  and  ran  to  him. 
He  was  unconscious,  and  could,  of  course, 
give  them  no  account  of  how  he  came  to 
be  in  his  present  state.  The  fronts  of  all 
the  houses  were  dark,  the  doors  shut ;  there 
was  nothing  to   connect  the   man  stretched 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.     201 

on  the  ground  with  either  No.  19  or  any 
other  dwelling.  Moreover  the  constables 
were  not  sure  that  the  sufferer  was  himself 
a  meritorious  object,  for  his  hand  still  held 
a  long  ugly  knife.  They  were  perplexed  : 
they  were  but  two ;  there  was  a  wounded 
man  to  look  after;  there  were  three  men 
to  pursue,  and  the  three  had  fled  in  three 
different  directions.  They  looked  up  at  No. 
19 ;  No.  19  remained  dark,  quiet,  absolutely 
indifferent.  The  fugitives  were  out  of  sight. 
Rudolf  Rassendyll,  hearing  nothing,  had 
started  again  on  his  way.  But  a  minute 
later  he  heard  a  shrill  whistle.  The  patrol 
were  summoning  assistance ;  the  man  must 
be  carried  to  the  station,  and  a  report  made ; 
but  other  constables  might  be  warned  of 
what  had  happened,  and  despatched  in  pursuit 
of  the  culprits.  Rudolf  heard  more  than 
one  answering  whistle ;  he  broke  into  a  run, 
looking  for  a  turning  on  the  left  that  would 
take  him  back  into  the  direction  of  my  house, 
but  he  found  none.  The  narrow  street 
twisted  and  curved  in  the  bewildering  way 
that  characterises  the  old  parts  of  the  town. 
Rudolf  had  spent  some  time  once  in  Strelsau ; 
but  a  king  learns  little  of  back  streets,  and 
he  was  soon  fairly  puzzled  as  to  his  where- 
abouts. Day  was  dawning,  and  he  began 
to  meet  people  here  and  there.  He  dared 
run  no  more,  even  had  his  breath  lasted 
him  ;     winding    the    scarf    about    his    face, 


202  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

and  cramming  his  hat  over  his  forehead 
again,  he  fell  into  an  easy  walk,  wondering 
whether  he  could  venture  to  ask  his  way, 
relieved  to  find  no  signs  that  he  was  being 
pursued,  trying  to  persuade  himself  that 
Bauer,  though  not  dead,  was  at  least 
incapable  of  embarrassing  disclosures,  above 
all  conscious  of  the  danger  of  his  tell-tale 
face,  and  of  the  necessity  of  finding  some 
shelter  before  the  city  was  all  stirring  and 
awake. 

At  this  moment  he  heard  horses'  hoofs 
behind  him.  He  was  now  at  the  end  of  the 
street,  where  it  opened  on  the  square  in 
which  the  barracks  stand.  He  knew  his 
bearings  now,  and,  had  he  not  been  inter- 
rupted, could  have  been  back  to  safe  shelter 
in  my  house  in  twenty  minutes.  But  looking 
back  he  saw  the  figure  of  a  mounted  constable 
just  coming  into  sight  behind  him.  The 
man  seemed  to  see  Rudolf,  for  he  broke  into 
a  quick  trot.  Mr.  Rassendyll's  position  was 
critical ;  this  fact  alone  accounts  for  the 
dangerous  step  into  which  he  allowed  him- 
self to  be  forced.  Here  he  was,  a  man 
unable  to  give  account  of  himself,  of  remark- 
able appearance,  and  carrying  a  revolver, 
of  which  one  barrel  was  discharged.  And 
there  was  Bauer,  a  wounded  man,  shot  by 
somebody  with  a  revolver  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  before.  Even  to  be  questioned  was 
dangerous ;  to  be  detained  meant  ruin  to  the 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.     203 

great  business  that  engaged  his  energies. 
For  all  he  knew,  the  patrol  had  actually 
sighted  him  as  he  ran.  His  fears  were  not 
vain  ;  for  the  constable  raised  his  voice, 
crying : 

♦*  Hi,  sir — you  there — stop  a  minute  !  " 

Resistance  was  the  one  thing  worse  than 
to  yield.  Wit,  and  not  force,  must  find 
escape  this  time.  Rudolf  stopped,  looking 
round  again  with  a  surprised  air.  Then  he 
drew  himself  up  with  an  assumption  of 
dignity,  and  waited  for  the  constable.  If 
that  last  card  must  be  played,  he  would  win 
the  hand  with  it. 

*'  Well,  what  do  you  want  ? "  he  asked 
coldly,  when  the  man  was  a  few  yards  from 
him ;  and,  as  he  spoke,  he  withdrew  the 
scarf  almost  entirely  from  his  features, 
keeping  it  only  over  his  chin.  "You  call 
very  peremptorily,"  he  continued,  staring 
contemptuously.  "  What 's  your  business 
with  me  ?  " 

With  a  violent  start,  the  sergeant  —  for 
such  the  star  on  his  collar  and  the  lace  on 
his  cuff  proclaimed  him — leant  forward  in 
the  saddle  to  look  at  the  man  whom  he  had 
hailed.  Rudolf  said  nothing  and  did  not 
move.  The  man's  eyes  studied  his  face 
intently.  Then  he  sat  bolt  upright  and 
saluted,  his  face  dyed  to  a  deep  red  in  his 
sudden  confusion. 

"  And    why    do    you    salute    me    now  ?  '* 


204  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

asked  Rudolf  in  a  mocking  tone.  *'  First  you 
hunt  me,  then  you  salute  me.  By  heaven, 
I  don't  know  why  you  put  yourself  out  at 
all  about  me  !  " 

"I— I "     the    fellow    stuttered.      Then 

trying  a  fresh  start,  he  stammered,  "Your 
Majesty,  I  didn't  know — I  didn't  suppose " 

Rudolf  stepped  towards  him  with  a  quick 
decisive  tread. 

"And  why  do  you  call  me  *  Your  Majesty'  ?" 

"It —it— Isn't  it   Your   Majesty?" 

Rudolf  was  close  by  him  now,  his  hand 
on  the  horse's  neck.  He  looked  up  in  the 
sergeant's   face  with  steady  eyes,   saying: 

"  You  make  a  mistake,  my  friend.  I  am 
not  the  King." 

'*  You  are  not — — "  stuttered  the  bewildered 
fellow. 

"  By  no  means.    And,  sergeant  ?  ** 

"Your  Majesty  ?" 

"  Sir,  you  mean." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"A  zealous  officer,  sergeant,  can  make  no 
greater  mistake  than  to  take  for  the  King 
a  gentleman  who  is  not  the  King.  It  might 
injure  his  prospects,  since  the  King,  not 
being  here,  mightn't  wish  to  have  it  supposed 
that  he  was  here.  Do  you  follow  me, 
sergeant  ?  " 

The  man  said  nothing,  but  stared  hard. 
After  a  moment  Rudolf  continued ; 

"  In    such    a  case,"    said  he,   "a  discreet 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.     205 

officer  would  not  trouble  the  gentleman  any 
more,  and  would  be  very  careful  not  to 
mention  that  he  had  made  such  a  silly 
mistake.  Indeed,  if  questioned,  he  would 
answer  without  hesitation  that  he  hadn't 
seen  anybody  even  like  the  King,  much  less 
the  King  himself." 

A  doubtful  puzzled  little  smile  spread 
under  the   sergeant's   moustache. 

"  You  see,  the  King  is  not  even  in 
Strelsau,"   said  Rudolf. 

"Not  in  Strelsau,  sir?" 

"Why,  no;   he's  at  Zenda." 

"Ah  !     At  Zenda,  sir  ?" 

"  Certainly.  It  is  therefore  impossible — 
physically  impossible — that  he  should  be 
here." 

The  fellow  was  convinced  that  he  under- 
stood now. 

"  It 's  certainly  impossible,  sir,"  said  he, 
smiling  more   broadly. 

"  Absolutely.  And  therefore  impossible 
also  that  you  should  have  seen  him." 
With  this  Rudolf  took  a  gold  piece  from 
his  pocket  and  handed  it  to  the  sergeant. 
The  fellow  took  it  with  something  like  a 
wink.  "As  for  you,  you've  searched  here 
and  found  nobody,"  concluded  Mr.  Rassendyll. 
"  So  hadn't  you  better  at  once  search  some- 
where else  ?" 

"Without  doubt,  sir,"  said  the  sergeant; 
and    with    the    most    deferential    salute,  and 


2o6  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

another  confidential  smile,  he  turned  and 
rode  back  by  the  way  he  had  come.  No 
doubt  he  wished  that  he  could  meet  a 
gentleman  who  was — not  the  King— every 
morning  of  his  life.  It  need  hardly  be  said 
that  all  idea  of  connecting  the  gentleman 
with  the  crime  committed  in  the  Konig- 
strasse  had  vanished  from  his  mind.  Thus 
Rudolf  won  freedom  from  the  man's  inter- 
ference, but  at  a  dangerous  cost  —  how 
dangerous  he  did  not  know.  It  was  indeed 
most  impossible  that  the  King  could  be  in 
Strelsau. 

He  lost  no  time  now  in  turning  his  steps 
towards  his  refuge.  It  was  past  five  o'clock, 
day  came  quickly,  and  the  streets  began  to 
be  peopled  by  men  and  women  on  their 
way  to  open  stalls  or  to  buy  in  the  market. 
Rudolf  crossed  the  square  at  a  rapid  walk, 
for  he  was  afraid  of  the  soldiers  who  were 
gathering  for  early  duty  opposite  to  the 
barracks.  Fortunately  he  passed  by  them 
unobserved,  and  gained  the  comparative 
seclusion  of  the  street  in  which  my  house 
stands  without  encountering  any  further 
difnculties.  In  truth  he  was  almost  in 
safety  ;  but  bad  luck  was  now  to  have  its 
turn.  When  Mr.  Rassendyll  was  no  more 
than  fifty  yards  from  my  door,  a  carriage 
suddenly  drove  up  and  stopped  a  few  paces 
in  front  of  him.  The  footman  sprang  down 
and  opened  the  door.    Two  ladies  got  out ; 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.     207 

they  were  dressed  in  evening  costume,  and 
were  returning  from  a  ball.  One  was  middle- 
aged,  the  other  young  and  rather  pretty. 
They  stood  for  a  moment  on  the  pavement, 
the  younger  saying  : 

"  Isn't  it  pleasant,  mother  ?  I  wish  I 
could  always  be  up  at   five   o'clock." 

**  My  dear,  you  wouldn't  like  it  for  long," 
answered  the  elder.  "It's  very  nice  for  a 
change,  but " 

She  stopped  abruptly.  Her  eye  had  fallen 
on  Rudolf  Rassendyll.  He  knew  her  :  she 
was  no  less  a  person  than  the  wife  of 
Helsing  the  Chancellor;  his  was  the  house 
at  which  the  carriage  had  stopped.  The 
trick  that  had  served  with  the  sergeant  of 
police  would  not  do  now.  She  knew  the 
King  too  well  to  believe  that  she  could  be 
mistaken  about  him  ;  she  was  too  much  of 
a  busybody  to  be  content  to  pretend  that 
she  was  mistaken. 

"Good  gracious!"  she  whispered  loudly, 
and,  catching  her  daughter's  arm,  she  mur- 
mured :  "  Heavens,  my  dear,  it's  the  King!" 

Rudolf  was  caught.  Not  only  the  ladies 
but  their  servants  were  looking  at  him. 

Flight  was  impossible.  He  walked  by 
them.  The  ladies  curtseyed,  the  servants 
bowed  bare-headed.  Rudolf  touched  his 
hat  and  bowed  slightly  in  return.  He  walked 
straight  on  towards  my  house ;  they  were 
watching  him,  and  he  knew  it.    Most  heartily 


208  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

did  he  curse  the  untimely  hours  to  which 
folks  keep  up  their  dancing,  but  he  thought 
that  a  visit  to  my  house  would  afford  as 
plausible  an  excuse  for  his  presence  as  any 
other.  So  he  went  on,  surveyed  by  the 
wondering  ladies,  and  by  the  servants,  who, 
smothering  smiles,  asked  one  another  what 
brought  His  Majesty  abroad  in  such  a  plight 
(for  Rudolf's  clothes  were  soaked  and  his 
boots  muddy),  at  such  an  hour — and  that  in 
Strelsau,  when  all  the  world  thought  he 
was   at   Zenda. 

Rudolf  reached  my  house.  Knowing  that 
he  was  watched,  he  had  abandoned  all 
intention  of  giving  the  signal  agreed  on 
between  my  wife  and  himself  and  of  making 
his  way  in  through  the  window.  Such  a 
sight  would  indeed  have  given  the  excellent 
Baroness  von  Helsing  matter  for  gossip  ! 
It  was  better  to  let  every  servant  in  my 
house  see  his  open  entrance.  But,  alas, 
virtue  itself  sometimes  leads  to  ruin.  My 
dearest  Helga,  sleepless  and  watchful  in  the 
interest  of  her  mistress,  was  even  now 
behind  the  shutter,  listening  with  all  her 
ears  and  peering  through  the  chinks.  No 
sooner  did  Rudolf's  footsteps  become  audible 
than  she  cautiously  unfastened  the  shutter, 
opened  the  window,  put  her  pretty  head  out, 
and  called  softly: 

"All's  safe!     Come  in!" 

The  mischief  was  done  then,  for  the  faces 


WHAT  THE  CHANCELLOR'S  WIFE  SAW.     209 

of  Helsing's  wife  and  daughter,  aye,  and 
the  faces  of  Helsing's  servants,  were  intent 
on  this  most  strange  spectacle.  Rudolf, 
turning  his  head  over  his  shoulder,  sav^ 
them;  a  moment  later  poor  Helga  saw 
them  also.  Innocent  and  untrained  in  con- 
trolling her  feelings,  she  gave  a  shrill  little 
cry  of  dismay,  and  hastily  drew  back. 
Rudolf  looked  round  again.  The  ladies  had 
retreated  to  the  cover  of  the  porch,  but 
he  still  saw  their  eager  faces  peering  from 
between  the  pillars  that  supported  it. 

"  I  may  as  well  go  in  now,"  said  Rudolf, 
and  in  he  sprang.  There  was  a  merry 
smile  on  his  face  as  he  ran  forward  to 
meet  Helga,  who  leant  against  the  table, 
pale   and   agitated. 

"  They  saw  you  ?  "   she  gasped. 

**  Undoubtedly,**  said  he.  Then  his  sense 
of  amusement  conquered  everything  else, 
and  he  sat  down  in  a  chair,  laughing. 

"I'd  give  my  life,"  said  he,  "to  hear  the 
story  that  the  Chancellor  will  be  waked  up 
to  hear  in  a  minute  or  two  from  now  !  " 

But  a  moment's  thought  made  him  grave 
again.  For  whether  he  were  the  King  or 
Rudolf  Rasscndyll,  he  knew  that  my  wife's 
name  was  in  equal  peril.  Knowing  this,  he 
stood  at  nothing  to  serve  her.  He  turned  to 
her  and  spoke  quickly. 

"You  must  rouse  one  of  the  servants  at 
once.     Send   him  round  to  the  Chancellor's 


210  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

and  tell  the  Chancellor  to  come  here  directly. 
No,  write  a  note.  Say  the  King  has  come 
by  appointment  to  see  Fritz  on  some  private 
business,  but  that  Fritz  has  not  kept  the 
appointment,  and  that  the  King  must  now 
see  the  Chancellor  at  once.  Say  there's  not 
a  moment  to  lose." 

She  was  looking  at  him  with  wondering 
eyes. 

"Don't  you  see,"  he  said,  "if  I  can  impose 
on  Helsing,  I  may  stop  those  women's 
tongues  ?  If  nothing 's  done,  how  long  do 
you  suppose  it  '11  be  before  all  Strelsau  knows 
that  Fritz  von  Tarlenheim's  wife  let  the 
King  in  at  the  window  at  five  o'clock  in  the 
morning  ?  " 

"  I  don't  understand,"  murmured  poor 
Helga  in   bewilderment. 

"  No,  my  dear  lady,  but  for  heaven's  sake 
do  what  I  ask  of  you.  It's  the  only  chance 
now." 

**  I  '11  do  it,"  she  said,  and  sat  down  to 
write. 

Thus  it  was  that,  hard  on  the  marvellous 
tidings  which,  as  I  conjecture,  the  Baroness 
von  Helsing  poured  into  her  husband's  drowsy 
ears,  came  an  imperative  summons  that  the 
Chancellor  should  wait  on  the  King  at  the 
house  of  Fritz  von  Tarlenheim. 

Truly  we  had  tempted  fate  too  far  by 
bringing  Rudolf  Rassendyll  again  to  Strelsau, 


CHAPTER    XII. 

BEFORE     THEM     ALL  I 

GREAT  as  was  the  risk  and  immense 
as  were  the  difficulties  created  by  the 
course  which  Mr.  Rassendyll  adopted, 
I  cannot  doubt  that  he  acted  for  the  best 
in  the  light  of  the  information  which  he 
possessed.  His  plan  was  to  disclose  him- 
self to  Helsing  in  the  character  of  the 
King,  to  bind  him  to  secrecy,  and  make 
him  impose  the  same  obligation  on  his  wife, 
daughter,  and  servants.  The  Chancellor  was 
to  be  quieted  with  the  excuse  of  urgent 
business,  and  conciliated  by  a  promise  that 
he  should  know  its  nature  in  the  course  of 
a  few  hours  ;  meanwhile  an  appeal  to  his 
loyalty  must  suffice  to  ensure  obedience.  If 
all  went  well  in  the  day  that  had  now 
dawned,  by  the  evening  of  it  the  letter  would 
be  destroyed,  the  Queen's  peril  past,  and 
Rudolf  once  more  far  away  from  Strelsau. 
Then  enough  of  the  truth— no  more — must 
be  disclosed.  Helsing  would  be  told  the 
story  of  Rudolf  Rassendyll  and  persuaded  to 
hold  his  tongue  about  the  harum-scarum 
Englishman  (we  are  ready  to  believe  much 
of   an    Englishman)    having    been    audacious 


ili 


212  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

enough  again  to  play  the  King  in  Strelsau. 
The  old  Chancellor  was  a  very  good  fellow, 
and  I  do  not  think  that  Rudolf  did  wrong  in 
relying  upon  him.  Where  he  miscalculated 
was,  of  course,  just  where  he  was  ignorant. 
The  whole  of  what  the  Queen's  friends,  aye, 
and  the  Queen  herself,  did  in  Strelsau,  became 
useless  and  mischievous  by  reason  of  the 
King's  death ;  their  action  must  have  been 
utterly  different,  had  they  been  aware  of  that 
catastrophe ;  but  their  wisdom  should  be 
judged  only  according  to  their  knowledge. 

In  the  first  place  the  Chancellor  himself 
showed  much  good  sense.  Even  before  he 
obeyed  the  King's  summons  he  sent  for  the 
two  servants  and  charged  them,  on  pain  of 
instant  dismissal  and  worse  things  to  follow, 
to  say  nothing  of  what  they  had  seen.  His 
commands  to  his  wife  and  daughter  were 
more  polite,  doubtless,  but  no  less  peremptory. 
He  may  well  have  supposed  that  the  King's 
business  was  private  as  well  as  important 
when  it  led  His  Majesty  to  be  roaming  the 
streets  of  Strelsau  at  a  moment  when  he  was 
supposed  to  be  at  the  Castle  of  Zenda,  and 
to  enter  a  friend's  house  by  the  window  at 
such  untimely  hours.  The  mere  facts  were 
eloquent  of  secrecy.  Moreover  the  King  had 
shaved  his  beard — the  ladies  were  sure  of  it — 
and  this  again,  though  it  might  be  merely  an 
accidental  coincidence,  was  also  capable  of 
signifying  a  very  urgent  desire  to  be  unknown. 


BEFORE    THEM    ALL!  ai3 

So  the  Chancellor,  having  given  his  orders, 
and  being  himself  aflame  with  the  liveliest 
curiosity,  lost  no  time  in  obeying  the  King's 
commands,  and  arrived  at  my  house  before 
six  o'clock. 

When  the  visitor  was  announced  Rudolf 
was  upstairs,  having  a  bath  and  some  break- 
fast. Helga  had  learnt  her  lesson  well  enough 
to  entertain  the  visitor  until  Rudolf  appeared. 
She  was  full  of  apologies  for  my  absence,  pro- 
testing that  she  could  in  no  way  explain  it; 
neither  could  she  so  much  as  conjecture  what 
was  the  King's  business  with  her  husband. 
She  played  the  dutiful  wife  whose  virtue  was 
obedience,  whose  greatest  sin  would  be  an 
indiscreet  prying  into  what  it  was  not  her 
part  to  know. 

"I  know  no  more,"  she  said,  "than  that 
Fritz  wrote  to  me  to  expect  the  King  and 
him  at  about  five  o'clock,  and  to  be  ready  to 
let  them  in  by  the  window,  as  the  King  did 
not  wish  the  servants  to  be  aware  of  his 
presence." 

The  King  came  and  greeted  Helsing  most 
graciously.  The  tragedy  and  comedy  of  these 
busy  days  were  strangely  mingled ;  even  now 
I  can  hardly  help  smiling  when  I  picture 
Rudolf,  with  grave  lips  but  that  distant 
twinkle  in  his  eye  (I  swear  he  enjoyed  the 
sport),  sitting  down  by  the  old  Chancellor  in 
the  darkest  corner  of  the  room,  covering  him 
with  flattery,  hinting  at  most  strange  things, 


2*4        RUPERT  OF  HENTZAU. 

deploring  a  secret  obstacle  to  immediate  con- 
fidence, promising  that  to-morrow,  at  latest, 
he  would  seek  the  advice  of  the  wisest  and 
most  tried  of  his  counsellors,  appealing  to 
the  Chancellor's  loyalty  to  trust  him  till 
then.  Helsing,  blinking  through  his  spec- 
tacles, followed  with  devout  attention  the 
long  narrative  that  told  nothing,  and  the 
urgent  exhortation  that  masked  a  trick.  His 
accents  were  almost  broken  with  emotion  as 
he  put  himself  absolutely  at  the  King's  dis- 
posal, and  declared  that  he  could  answer  for 
the  discretion  of  his  family  and  household 
as  completely  as  for  his  own. 

"Then  you're  a  very  lucky  man,  my  dear 
Chancellor,"  said  Rudolf,  with  a  sigh  which 
seemed  to  hint  that  the  King  in  his  palace 
was  not  so  fortunate.  Helsing  was  immensely 
pleased.  He  was  all  agog  to  go  and  tell  his 
wife  how  entirely  the  King  trusted  to  her 
honour  and  silence. 

There  was  nothing  that  Rudolf  more  desired 
than  to  be  relieved  of  the  excellent  old 
fellow's  presence  ;  but,  well  aware  of  the 
supreme  importance  of  keeping  him  in  a 
good  temper,  he  would  not  hear  of  his 
departure  for  a  few  minutes. 

"At  any  rate  the  ladies  won't  talk  till 
after  breakfast,  and  since  they  got  home 
only  at  five  o'clock  they  won't  breakfast  yet 
awhile,"  said  he. 

So  he  made  Helsing  sit  down,  and  talked 


Before  them  alli  215 

to  him.  Rudolf  had  not  failed  to  notice  that 
the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  had  been  a 
little  surprised  at  the  sound  of  his  voice ;  in 
this  conversation  he  studiously  kept  his  tones 
low,  affecting  a  certain  weakness  and  huski- 
ness  such  as  he  had  detected  in  the  King's 
utterances,  as  he  listened  behind  the  curtain 
in  Sapt's  room  at  the  Castle.  The  part  was 
played  as  completely  and  triumphantly  as  in 
the  old  days  when  he  ran  the  gauntlet  of 
every  eye  in  Strelsau.  Yet  if  he  had  not 
taken  such  pains  to  conciliate  old  Helsing, 
but  had  let  him  depart,  he  might  not  have 
found  himself  driven  to  a  greater  and  even 
more  hazardous  deception. 

They  were  conversing  together  alone.  My 
wife  had  been  prevailed  on  by  Rudolf  to  lie 
down  in  her  room  for  an  hour.  Sorely 
needing  rest,  she  had  obeyed  him,  having 
first  given  strict  orders  that  no  member  of 
the  household  should  enter  the  room  where 
the  two  were  except  on  an  express  summons. 
Fearing  suspicion,  she  and  Rudolf  had  agreed 
that  it  was  better  to  rely  on  these  injunctions 
than  to  lock  the  door  again,  as  they  had  the 
night  before. 

But  while  these  things  passed  at  my  house, 
the  Queen  and  Bernenstein  were  on  their 
way  to  Strelsau.  Perhaps  had  Sapt  been  at 
Zenda,  his  powerful  influence  might  have 
availed  to  check  the  impulsive  expedition  ; 
Bernenstein  had  no  such  authority,  and  could 


2l6  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


only  obey  the  Queen's  peremptory  orders  and 
pathetic  prayers.  Ever  since  Rudolf  Rassen- 
dyll  left  her,  three  years  before,  she  had 
lived  in  stern  self-repression,  never  her  true 
self,  never  for  a  moment  able  to  be  or  to  do 
what  every  hour  her  heart  urged  on  her. 
How  are  these  things  done  ?  I  doubt  if  a 
man  lives  who  could  do  them ;  but  women 
live  who  do  them.  Now  his  sudden  coming 
and  the  train  of  stirring  events  that  accom- 
panied it,  his  danger  and  hers,  his  words 
and  her  enjoyment  of  his  presence,  had  all 
worked  together  to  shatter  her  self-control ; 
and  the  strange  dream,  heightening  the 
emotion  which  was  its  own  cause,  left  her 
with  no  conscious  desire  save  to  be  near 
Mr.  Rassendyll,  and  scarcely  with  a  fear 
except  for  his  safety.  As  they  journeyed  her 
talk  was  all  of  his  peril,  never  of  the  disaster 
which  threatened  herself,  and  which  we  were 
all  striving  with  might  and  main  to  avert 
from  her  head.  She  travelled  alone  with 
Bemenstein,  getting  rid  of  the  lady  who 
attended  her  by  some  careless  pretext,  and 
she  urged  on  him  continually  to  bring  her 
as  speedily  as  might  be  to  Mr.  Rassendyll. 
I  cannot  find  much  blame  for  her.  Rudolf 
stood  for  all  the  joy  in  her  life,  and  Rudolf 
had  gone  to  fight  with  the  Count  of  Hentzau. 
What  wonder  that  she  saw  him  as  it  were 
dead  ?  Yet  still  she  would  have  it  that,  in 
his   seeming   death,   all   men   hailed  him  for 


BEFORE    THEM    ALL!  iiiy 

their  King.  Well,  it  was  her  love  that 
crowned  him. 

As  they  reached  the  city,  she  grew  more 
composed,  being  persuaded  by  Bernenstein 
that  nothing  in  her  bearing  must  rouse  sus- 
picion. Yet  she  was  none  the  less  resolved 
to  seek  Mr.  Rassendyll  at  once.  In  truth 
she  feared  even  then  to  find  him  dead,  so 
strong  was  the  hold  of  her  dream  on  her : 
until  she  knew  that  he  was  alive  she  could 
not  rest.  Bernenstein,  fearful  that  the  strain 
would  kill  her  or  rob  her  of  reason,  promised 
everything ;  and  declared,  with  a  confidence 
which  he  did  not  feel,  that  beyond  doubt  Mr. 
Rassendyll  was  alive  and  well. 

"  But  where — where  ?  "  she  cried  eagerly, 
with  clasped  hands. 

**  We  're  most  likely,  madame,  to  find  him 
at  Fritz  von  Tarlenheim's,"  answered  the 
lieutenant.  "  He  would  wait  there  till  the 
time  came  to  attack  Rupert,  or,  if  the  thing 
is  over,  he  will  have  returned  there." 

"Then  let  us  drive  there  at  once,"  she  urged. 

Bernenstein,  however,  persuaded  her  to  go 
to  the  palace  first  and  let  it  be  known  that 
she  was  going  to  pay  a  visit  to  my  wife. 
She  arrived  at  the  palace  at  eight  o'clock, 
took  a  cup  of  chocolate,  and  then  ordered 
her  carriage.  Bernenstein  alone  accompanied 
her  when  she  set  out  for  my  house  about 
nine.  He  was,  by  now,  hardly  less  excited 
than  the  Queen  herself. 


2l8  RUPERt    OF    HENT2AU. 

In  her  entire  pre  -  occupation  with  Mr. 
Rassendyll,  she  gave  little  thought  to  what 
might  have  happened  at  the  hunting-lodge ; 
but  Bernenstein  drew  gloomy  auguries  from 
the  failure  of  Sapt  and  myself  to  return  at 
the  proper  time.  Either  evil  had  befallen  us, 
or  the  letter  had  reached  the  King  before  we 
arrived  at  the  lodge ;  the  probabilities  seemed 
to  him  to  be  confined  to  these  alternatives. 
Yet  when  he  spoke  in  this  strain  to  the 
Queen,  he  could  get  from  her  nothing  except, 
"If  we  can  find  Mr.  Rassendyll,  he  will  tell 
us  what  to  do." 

Thus,  then,  a  little  after  nine  in  the  morning, 
the  Queen's  carriage  drove  up  to  my  door. 
The  ladies  of  the  Chancellor's  family  had 
enjoyed  a  very  short  night's  rest,  for  their 
heads  came  bobbing  out  of  window  the 
moment  the  wheels  were  heard ;  many  people 
were  about  now,  and  the  crown  on  the  panels 
attracted  the  usual  small  crowd  of  loiterers. 
Bernenstein  sprang  out  and  gave  his  hand  to 
the  Queen.  With  a  hasty  slight  bow  to  the 
on -lookers  she  hastened  up  the  two  or  three 
steps  of  the  porch,  and  with  her  own  hand 
rang  the  bell.  Inside,  the  carriage  had  just 
been  observed.  My  wife's  waiting-maid  ran 
hastily  to  her  mistress  :  Helga  was  lying  on 
her  bed ;  she  rose  at  once,  and  after  a  few 
moments  of  necessary  preparations  (or  such 
preparations  as  seem  to  ladies  necessary, 
however  great   the   need  of  haste   may  be) 


BEFORE    THEM    ALL  I  iilg 

hurried  downstairs,  to  receive  Her  Majesty — 
and  to  warn  Her  Majesty.  She  was  too  late. 
The  door  was  already  open.  The  butler  and 
the  footman  both  had  run  to  it,  and  thrown 
it  open  for  the  Queen.  As  Helga  reached 
the  foot  of  the  stairs.  Her  Majesty  was  just 
entering  the  room  where  Rudolf  was,  the 
servants  attending  her,  and  Bernenstein 
standing  behind,  his  helmet  in  his  hand. 
Rudolf  and  the  Chancellor  had  been  con- 
tinuing their  conversation.  To  avoid  the 
observation  of  passers-by  (for  the  interior 
of  the  room  is  easy  to  see  from  the  street), 
the  blind  had  been  drawn  down,  and  the  room 
was  in  deep  shadow.  They  had  heard  the 
wheels,  but  neither  of  them  dreamt  that  the 
visitor  could  be  the  Queen.  It  was  an  utter 
surprise  to  them  when,  without  their  orders, 
the  door  was  suddenly  flung  open.  The 
Chancellor,  slow  of  movement  and  not,  if  I 
may  say  it,  over- quick  of  brain,  sat  in  his 
comer  for  half  a  minute  or  more  before  he 
rose  to  his  feet.  On  the  other  hand  Rudolf 
Rassendyll  was  the  best  part  of  the  way 
across  the  room  in  an  instant.  Helga  was 
at  the  door  now,  and  she  thrust  her  head 
round  young  Bernenstein' s  broad  shoulder. 
Thus  she  saw  what  happened.  The  Queen, 
forgetting-  the  servants,  and  not  observing 
Helsing — seeming  indeed  to  stay  for  nothing 
and  to  think  of  nothing,  but  to  have  her 
thoughts  and    heart  filled  with    the   sight   of 


220  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

the  man  she  loved  and  the  knowledge  of  his 
safety — met  him  as  he  ran  towards  her,  and, 
before  Helga,  or  Bernenstein,  or  Rudolf 
himself,  could  stay  her  or  conceive  what  she 
was  about  to  do,  caught  both  his  hands  in 
hers  with  an  intense  grasp,  crying : 

"  Rudolf,  you  're  safe !  Thank  God,  oh, 
thank  God !  *'  and  she  carried  his  hands  to 
her  lips  and  kissed  them  passionately. 

A  moment  of  absolute  silence  followed, 
dictated  in  the  servants  by  decorum,  in  the 
Chancellor  by  consideration,  in  Helga  and 
Bernenstein  by  utter  consternation.  Rudolf 
himself  also  was  silent,  but  whether  from 
bewilderment  or  an  emotion  answering  to 
hers  I  know  not.  Either  it  might  well  be. 
The  stillness  struck  her.  She  looked  up  in 
his  eyes ;  she  looked  round  the  room  and 
saw  Helsing,  now  bowing  profoundly  from 
the  corner ;  she  turned  her  head  with  a 
sudden  frightened  jerk  and  glanced  at  my 
motionless  deferential  servants.  Then  it  came 
upon  her  what  she  had  done.  She  gave  a 
quick  gasp  for  breath,  and  her  face,  always 
pale,  went  white  as  marble.  Her  features 
set  in  a  strange  stiffness,  and  suddenly  she 
reeled  where  she  stood,  and  fell  forward. 
Only  Rudolfs  hand  bore  her  up.  Thus  for 
a  moment  too  short  to  reckon  they  stood. 
Then  he,  a  smile  of  great  love  and  pity 
coming  on  his  lips,  drew  her  to  him  and 
passing  his  arm  about  her  waist  thus  sup- 


BEFORE    THEM    ALL  I  221 

ported  her.  Then,  smiling  still,  he  looked 
down  on  her,  and  said  in  a  low  tone,  yet 
distinct  enough  for  all  to  hear : 

"All  is  well,  dearest." 

My  wife  gripped  Bernenstein's  arm,  and 
he  turned  to  find  her  pale-faced  too,  with 
quivering  lips  and  shining  eyes.  But  the  eyes 
had  a  message  and  an  urgent  one  for  him. 
He  read  it ;  he  knew  that  it  bade  him  second 
what  Rudolf  Rassendyll  had  done.  He  came 
forward  and  approached  Rudolf;  then  he  fell 
on  one  knee,  and  kissed  Rudolfs  left  hand 
that  was  extended  to  him. 

**  I  'm  very  glad  to  see  you.  Lieutenant  von 
Bernenstein,"  said  Rudolf  Rassendyll. 

For  the  moment  the  thing  was  done,  ruin 
averted,  and  safety  secured.  Everything  had 
been  at  stake :  that  there  was  such  a  man 
as  Rudolf  Rassendyll  might  have  been  dis- 
closed ;  that  he  had  once  filled  the  King's 
throne  was  a  high  secret  which  they  were 
prepared  to  trust  to  Helsing  under  stress  of 
necessity ;  but  there  remained  something 
which  must  be  hidden  at  all  costs,  and 
which  the  Queen's  passionate  exclamation 
had  threatened  to  expose.  There  was  a 
Rudolf  Rassendyll,  and  he  had  been  King ; 
but,  more  than  all  this,  the  Queen  loved  him 
and  he  the  Queen.  That  could  be  told  to 
none,  not  even  to  Helsing ;  for  Helsing, 
though  he  would  not  gossip  to  the  town, 
would  yet  hold  himself  bound  to   carry  the 


222  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

matter  to  the  King.    So  Rudolf  chose  to  take 
any  future  difficulties  rather  than  that  present 
and  certain   disaster.     Sooner  than  entail  it 
on  her  he  loved,  he  claimed  for  himself  the 
place  of  her  husband  and  the  name  of  King. 
And  she,  clutching  at   the   only  chance   that 
her  act  left,  was  content  to  have  it  so.     It 
may  be  that  for  an  instant  her  weary  tor- 
tured   brain    found    sweet    rest    in    the    dim 
dream  that  so  it  was,  for  she  let  her  head 
lie  there  on  his  breast  and  her  eyes  closed, 
her   face    looking   very  peaceful,   and   a  soft 
little  sigh  escaping  in  pleasure  from  her  lips. 
But    every    moment    bore    its    peril    and 
exacted  its  effort.     Rudolf  led  the  Queen  to 
a  couch,  and  then  briefly  charged  the  servants 
not  to  speak  of  his  presence  for  a  few  hours. 
As  they  had    no  doubt   perceived,   said    he, 
from  the  Queen's  agitation,   important  busi- 
ness was  on  foot ;   it  demanded  his  presence 
in     Strelsau,     but     required     also     that     his 
presence    should    not    be    known.      A    short 
time  would    free    them    from    the    obligation 
which  he  now  asked  of  their  loyalty.    When 
they  had  withdrawn,   bowing    obedience,   he 
turned  to  Helsing,  pressed  his  hand  warmly, 
reiterated    his  request    for  silence,   and  said 
that  he  would  summon  the  Chancellor  to  his 
presence  again  later  in  the  day,  either  where 
he  was  or  at  the  palace.     Then  he  bade  all 
withdraw  and    leave  him    alone    for   a   little 
with    the    Queen.       He    was    obeyed,    but 


BEFORE    THEM    ALL!  223 

Helsing  had  hardly  left  the  house  when 
Rudolf  called  Bernenstein  back,  and  with 
him  my  wife.  Helga  hastened  to  the  Queen, 
who  was  still  sorely  agitated  ;  Rudolf  drew 
Bernenstein  aside,  and  exchanged  with  him 
all  their  news.  Mr.  Rassendyll  was  much 
disturbed  at  finding  that  no  tidings  had  come 
from  Colonel  Sapt  and  myself,  but  his 
apprehension  was  greatly  increased  on  learn- 
ing the  untoward  accident  by  which  the 
King  himself  had  been  at  the  lodge  the 
night  before.  Indeed  he  was  utterly  in  the 
dark  ;  where  the  King  was,  where  Rupert, 
where  we  were,  he  did  not  know.  And  he 
was  here  in  Strelsau,  known  as  the  King 
to  half-a-dozen  people  or  more,  protected 
only  by  their  promises,  liable  at  any  moment 
to  be  exposed  by  the  coming  of  the  King 
himself,  or  even  by  a  message  from  him. 

Yet  in  face  of  all  perplexities,  perhaps  even 
the  more  because  of  the  darkness  in  which 
he  was  enveloped,  Rudolf  held  firm  to  his 
purpose.  There  were  two  things  that  seemed 
plain.  If  Rupert  had  escaped  the  trap 
and  was  still  alive  with  the  letter  on  him, 
Rupert  must  be  found  ;  here  was  the  first 
task.  That  accomplished,  there  remained 
for  Rudolf  himself  nothing  save  to  disappear 
as  quietly  and  secretly  as  he  had  come, 
trusting  that  his  presence  could  be  concealed 
from  the  man  whose  name  he  had  usurped. 
Nay,  if   need  were,  the  King  must  be  told 


224  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

that  Rudolf  Rasscndyll  had  played  a  trick 
on  the  Chancellor,  and,  having  enjoyed  his 
pleasure,  was  gone  again.  Everything  could, 
in  the  last  resort,  be  told,  save  that  which 
touched  the  Queen's  honour. 

At  this  moment  the  message  which  I 
despatched  from  the  station  at  Hofbau 
reached  my  house.  There  was  a  knock  at 
the  door.  Bernenstein  opened  it  and  took 
the  telegram,  which  was  addressed  to  my 
wife.  I  had  written  all  that  I  dared  to  trust 
to  such  a  means  of  communication,  and  here 
it  is: — 

"  I  am  coming  to  Strelsau.  The  King  will  not 
leave  the  lodge  to-day.  The  Count  came,  but  left 
before  we  arrived.  I  do  not  know  whether  he  has 
gone  to   Strelsau.      He  gave  no  news  to  the   King." 

"  Then  they  didn't  get  him  ! "  cried 
Bernenstein  in  deep  disappointment, 

**  No,  but  *  He  gave  no  news  to  the  King,'" 
said  Rudolf  triumphantly. 

They  were  all  standing  now  round  the 
Queen,  who  sat  on  the  couch.  She  seemed 
very  faint  and  weary,  but  at  peace.  It  was 
enough  for  her  that  Rudolf  fought  and  planned 
for  hen 

"And  see  this,"  Rudolf  went  on  :  "  *The 
King  will  not  leave  the  lodge  to-day.'  Thank 
God,  then,  we  have  to-day  !  " 

**  Yes,  but  Where's  Rupert  ?" 

**  We   shall    know  in  an    hour,   if  he 's  in 


BEFORE    THEM    ALL!  225 

Strdsau,"  and  Mr.  Rassendyll  looked  as 
though  it  would  please  him  well  to  find 
Rupert  in  Strelsau.  *'  Yes,  I  must  seek 
him.  I  shall  stand  at  nothing  to  find  him. 
If  I  can  only  get  to  him  as  the  King,  then 
I'll  be  the  King.     We  have  to-day  !  " 

My  message  put  them  in  heart  again, 
although  it  left  so  much  still  unexplained. 
Rudolf  turned  to  the  Queen  : 

**  Courage,  my  Queen,"  said  he.  "A  few 
hours  now  will  see  an  end  of  all  our 
dangers." 

"And  then?"   she   asked. 

**  Then  you  '11  be  safe  and  at  rest,"  said 
he,  bending  over  her  and  speaking  softly. 
"And  I  shall  be  proud  in  the  knowledge  of 
having  saved  you." 

"And  you  ?" 

«*  I  must  go,"  Helga  heard  him  whisper, 
as  he  bent  lower  still,  and  she  and  Bernen- 
stein  moved  away. 


«5 


CHAPTER    XIII. 
A     KING     UP     HIS     SLEEVE. 

THE  tall  handsome  girl  was  taking  down 
the  shutters  from  the  shop-front  at 
No.  ig  in  the  Konigstrasse.  She  went 
about  her  work  languidly  enough,  but  there 
was  a  tinge  of  dusky  red  on  her  cheeks,  and 
her  eyes  were  brightened  by  some  sup- 
pressed excitement.  Old  Mother  Rolf, 
leaning  against  the  counter,  was  grumbling 
angrily  because  Bauer  did  not  come.  Nov7 
it  was  not  likely  that  Bauer  would  come 
just  yet,  for  he  was  still  in  the  infirmary 
attached  to  the  police-cells,  where  a  couple 
of  doctors  were  very  busy  setting  him  on 
his  legs  again.  The  old  woman  knew 
nothing  of  this,  but  only  that  he  had  gone 
the  night  before  to  reconnoitre ;  where  he 
was  to  play  the  spy  she  did  not  know,  on 
whom   perhaps   she   guessed. 

"You're  sure  he  never  came  back?"  she 
asked  her  daughter. 

"  He  never  came  back  that  I  saw," 
answered  the  girl.  "And  I  was  on  the 
watch  v/ith  my  lamp  here  in  the  shop  till 
it  grew  light." 

"He's  twelve  hours  gone  now,  and  never 


226 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  227 

a  message !  Aye,  and  Count  Rupert  should 
be  here  soon,  and  he  '11  be  in  a  fine  takinjj 
if    Bauer's   not   back." 

The  girl  made  no  answer;  she  had 
finished  her  task  and  stood  in  the  doorway, 
looking  out  on  the  street.  It  was  past  eight, 
and  many  people  were  about,  still  for  the 
most  part  humble  folk ;  the  more  comfort- 
ably placed  would  not  be  moving  for  an 
hour  or  two  yet.  In  the  road  the  traffic 
consisted  chiefly  of  country  carts  and 
waggons,  brmging  in  produce  for  the  day's 
victualling  of  the  great  city.  The  girl 
watched  the  stream,  but  her  thoughts  were 
occupied  with  the  stately  gentleman  who 
had  come  to  her  by  night  and  asked  a 
service  of  her.  She  had  heard  the  revolver 
shot  outside ;  as  it  sounded  she  had  blown 
out  her  lamp,  and  there  behind  the  door 
in  the  dark  had  heard  the  swiftly  retreating 
feet  of  the  fugitives  and,  a  little  later,  the 
arrival  of  the  patrol.  Well,  the  patrol 
would  not  dare  to  touch  the  King ;  as  for 
Bauer,  let  him  be  alive  or  dead:  what 
cared  she,  who  was  the  King's  servant, 
able  to  help  the  King  against  his  enemies  ? 
If  Bauer  were  the  King's  enemy,  right  glad 
would  she  be  to  hear  that  the  rogue  was 
dead.  How  finely  the  King  had  caught  him 
by  the  neck  and  thrown  him  out !  She 
laughed  to  think  how  little  her  mother 
knew  the  company  she  had  kept  that  night. 


228  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

The  row  of  country  carts  moved  slowly 
by.  One  or  two  stopped  before  the  shop, 
and  the  carters  offered  vegetables  for  sale. 
The  old  woman  would  have  nothing  to 
say  to  them,  but  waved  them  on  irritably. 
Three  had  thus  stopped  and  again  proceeded, 
and  an  impatient  grumble  broke  from  the 
old  lady  as  a  fourth,  a  covered  waggon, 
drew  up  before  the  door. 

"We  don't  want  anything:  go  on,  go  on 
with  you ! ' '    she   cried  shrilly. 

The  carter  got  down  from  his  seat  with- 
out heeding  her,  and  walked  round  to  the 
back. 

"  Here  you  are,  sir,"  he  cried.  **  Nine- 
teen,   Konigstrasse." 

A  yawn  was  heard,  and  the  long  sigh  a 
man  gives  as  he  stretches  himself  in  the 
mingled  luxury  and  pain  of  an  awakening 
after  sound  refreshing  sleep. 

"All  right;  I'll  get  down,"  came  in 
answer  from  inside. 

"  Ah,  it 's  the  Count ! "  said  the  old  lady 
to  her  daughter  in  satisfied  tones.  "What 
will  he  say,  though,  about  that  rogue 
Bauer?" 

Rupert  of  Hentzau  put  his  head  out  from 
under  the  waggon-tilt,  looked  up  and  down 
the  street,  gave  the  carter  a  couple  of 
crowns,  leapt  down,  and  ran  lightly  across 
the  pavement  into  the  little  shop.  The 
waggon   moved  on. 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  22Q 

"A  lucky  thing  I  met  him,"  said  Rupert 
cheerily.  "The  waggon  hid  me  very  well; 
and  handsome  as  my  face  is,  I  can't  let 
Strelsau  enjoy  too  much  of  it  just  now. 
Well,  mother,  what  cheer  ?  And  you,  my 
pretty,  how  goes  it  with  you  ? "  He  care- 
lessly brushed  the  girl's  cheek  with  the 
glove  that  he  had  drawn  off.  **  Faith, 
though,  I  beg  your  pardon,"  he  added  a 
moment  later:  "the  glove's  not  clean 
enough  for  that,"  and  he  looked  at  his  buff 
glove,  which  was  stained  with  patches  of 
dull   rusty   brown. 

"It's  all  as  when  you  left.  Count  Rupert," 
said  Mother  Holf,  "  except  that  that  rascal 
Bauer  went   out   last   night " 

"  That 's  right  enough.  But  hasn't  he 
come  back  '  " 

"No,   not  yet." 

"  Hum.  No  signs  of— anybody  else  ? " 
His  look   defined  the   vague  question. 

The  old  woman  shook  her  head.  The 
girl  turned  away  to  hide  a  smile.  "  Any- 
body else  "  meant  the  King,  so  she  suspected. 
Well,  they  should  hear  nothing  from  her. 
The  King  himself  had  charged  her  to  be 
silent. 

"But  Rischenheim  has  come,  I  suppose?" 
pursued   Rupert. 

"  Oh  yes ;  he  came,  my  lord,  soon  after 
you  went.     He   v/ears   his   arm   in  a  sling." 

"Ah!"     cried    Rupert    in    sudden    excite- 


230  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

ment.  "  As  I  guessed  !  The  devil !  If  only 
I  could  do  everything  myself,  and  not  have 
to  trust  to  fools  and  bunglers !  Where 's 
the   Count?" 

**Why,  in  the  attic.     You  know  the  way." 

**  True.        But     I    want     some    breakfast, 
mother." 

"  Rosa     shall     serve     you     at     once,     my 
lord." 

The  girl  followed  Rupert  up  the  narrow 
crazy  staircase  of  the  tall  old  house.  They 
passed  three  floors,  all  uninhabited ;  a  last 
steep  flight  brought  them  right  under  the 
deep  arched  roof.  Rupert  opened  a  door 
that  stood  at  the  top  of  the  stairs,  and, 
followed  still  by  Rosa  with  her  mysterious 
happy  smile,  entered  a  long  narrow  room. 
The  ceiling,  high  in  the  centre,  sloped 
rapidly  down  on  either  side,  so  that  at  door 
and  window  it  was  little  more  than  six  feet 
above  the  floor.  There  was  an  oak  table, 
and  a  few  chairs ;  a  couple  of  iron  bedsteads 
stood  by  the  wall  near  the  window.  One 
was  empty;  the  Count  of  Luzau-Rischen- 
heim  lay  on  the  other,  fully  dressed,  his 
right  arm  supported  in  a  sling  of  black  silk. 
Rupert  paused  on  the  threshold,  smiling  at 
his  cousin ;  the  girl  passed  on  to  a  high 
press  or  cupboard,  and,  opening  it,  took  out 
plates,  glasses,  and  the  other  furniture  of 
the  table.  Rischenheim  sprang  up  and  ran 
across  the  room. 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE,  231 


*'What  news?"  he  cried  eagerly.  "You 
escaped  them,  Rupert?" 

"It  appears  so,"  said  Rupert  airily;  and, 
advancing  into  the  room,  he  threw  himself 
into  a  chair,  tossing  his  hat  on  to  the  table. 
"  It  appears  that  I  escaped,  although  some 
fool's  stupidity  nearly  made  an  end  of  me." 

Rischenheim  flushed. 

"  I'll  tell  you  about  that  directly,"  he  said, 
glancing  at  the  girl,  who  had  put  some  cold 
meat  and  a  bottle  of  wine  on  the  table,  and 
was  now  completing  the  preparations  for 
Rupert's  meal  in   a   very  leisurely  fashion. 

"  Had  I  nothing  to  do  but  look  at  pretty 
faces  —  which,  by  Heaven,  I  wish  heartily 
were  the  case — I  would  beg  you  to  stay," 
said  Rupert,  rising  and  making  her  a  pro- 
found bow. 

"  I  've  no  wish  to  hear  what  doesn't 
concern  me,"  she  retorted  scornfully. 

"  What  a  rare  and  blessed  disposition ! " 
said  he,  holding  the  door  for  her  and  bowing 
again. 

"  I  know  what  I  know ! "  she  cried  to  him 
triumphantly  from  the  landing.  "  Maybe 
you'd  give  something  to  know  it  too,  Count 
Rupert ! " 

"  It 's  very  likely,  for,  by  Jove,  girls 
know  wonderful  things!"  smiled  Rupert; 
but  he  shut  the  door,  and  came  quickly 
back  to  the  table,  now  frowning  again. 
"  Gome,  tell   me,  how  did  they  make  a  fool 


232  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

of  you,  or  why  did  you  make  a  fool  of  mc, 
cousin  ?  " 

While  Rischenheim  related  how  he  had 
been  trapped  and  tricked  at  the  Castle  of 
Zenda,  Rupert  of  Hentzau  made  a  very 
good  breakfast.  He  offered  no  interruption 
and  no  comments,  but  when  Rudolf  Rassen- 
dyll  came  into  the  story  he  looked  up  for 
an  instant  with  a  quick  jerk  of  his  head 
and  a  sudden  light  in  his  eyes.  The  end 
of  Rischenheim's  narrative  found  him  tolerant 
and  smiling  again. 

"Ah,  well,  the  snare  was  cleverly  set," 
he   said.     "I  don't   wander  you  fell  into  it." 

"  And  now  you  ?  What  happened  to 
you  ?  "  asked  Rischenheim  eagerly. 

"  I  ?  Why,  having  your  message  which 
was  not  your  message,  I  obeyed  your 
directions  which  were  not  your  directions." 

"You  went  to  the  lodge?" 

«*  Certainly." 

"And  found  Sapt  there? — Anybody  else?" 

"Why,  not  Sapt  at  all." 

"  Not  Sapt  ?  But  surely  they  laid  a  trap 
for  you  ?  " 

**  Very  possibly,  but  the  jaws  didn't  bite." 
Rupert  crossed  his  legs  and  lit  a  cigarette. 

"  But  what  did  you  find?  " 

"  I  ?  I  found  the  King's  forester,  and  the 
King's  boar- hound,  and  —  well,  I  found  the 
King  himself  too." 

"The  King  at  the  lodge?" 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  233 

"You  weren't  so  wrong  as  you  thought, 
were  you?  " 

"  But  surely  Sapt,  or  Bcrnenstcin,  or 
some   one  was   with    him  ? " 

"As  I  tell  you,  his  forester  and  his  boar- 
hound.  No  other  man  or  beast,  on  my 
honour." 

"Then  you  gave  him  the  letter?"  cried 
Rischenheim,  trembling  with  excitement. 

"Alas,  no,  my  dear  cousin.  I  threw  the 
box  at  him,  but  I  don't  think  he  had  time 
to  open  it.  We  didn't  get  to  that  stage 
of  the  conversation  at  which  I  had  intended 
to  produce  the   letter." 

"  But   why   not — why   not  ?  " 

Rupert  rose  to  his  feet,  and,  coming  just 
opposite  to  where  Rischenheim  sat,  balanced 
himself  on  his  heels  and  looked  down  at 
his  cousin,  blowing  the  ash  from  his  cigar- 
ette and  smiling  pleasantly. 

"Have  you  noticed,"  he  asked,  "that  my 
coat 's  torn  ?  " 

"  I   see  it  is." 

"Yes.  The  boar-hound  tried  to  bite  me, 
cousin.  And  the  forester  would  have 
stabbed  me.  And — well,  the  King  wanted 
to  shoot  me." 

"  Yes,  yes !  For  God's  sake  what  hap- 
pened?" 

"Well,  they  none  of  them  did  what  they 
wanted.  That 's  what  happened,  dear 
cousin." 


234  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Rischenheim  was  staring  at  him  now  with 
wide -opened  eyes.  Rupert  smiled  down  on 
him  composedly. 

"Because,  you  see,"  he  added,  "  Keaven 
helped  me.  So  that,  my  dear  cousin,  the 
dog  will  bite  no  more,  and  the  forester  will 
stab  no  more.  Surely  the  country  is  well 
rid  of  them  ?  ' ' 

A  silence  followed.  Then  Rischenheim, 
leaning  forward,  said  in  a  low  whisper,  as 
though  afraid  to  hear  his  own  question, 

"And  the  King?" 

"The  King?  Well,  the  King  will  shoot 
no  more." 

For  a  moment  Rischenheim,  still  leaning 
forward,  gazed  at  his  cousin.  Then  he  sank 
slowly  back  into  his  chair. 

"My  God!"  he  murmured:  "my  God!" 

"The  King  was  a  fool,"  said  Rupert. 
"Come,  I'll  tell  you  a  little  more  about  it." 
He  drew  a  chair  up  and  seated  himself  in  it. 

While  he  talked  Rischenheim  seemed 
hardly  to  listen.  The  story  gained  in  effect 
from  the  contrast  of  Rupert's  airy  telling ; 
his  companion's  pale  face  and  twitching 
hands  tickled  his  fancy  to  more  shameless 
jesting.  But  when  he  had  finished,  he  gave 
a  pull  to  his  small  smartly -curled  moustache, 
and  said  with  a  sudden  gravity: 

"After  all,  though,  it's  a  serious  matter." 

Rischenheim  was  appalled  at  the  issue. 
His     cousin's     influence     had     been     strong 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  235 

enough  to  lead  him  into  the  affair  of  the 
letter;  he  was  aghast  to  think  how  Rupert's 
reckless  dare -devilry  had  led  on  from  stage 
to  stage  till  the  death  of  a  King  seemed  but 
an  incident  in  his  schemes.  He  sprang 
suddenly  to  his  feet,  crying : 

"But  we  must  fly — we  must  fly!" 

"No,  we  needn't  fly.  Perhaps  we'd  better 
go,  but  we  needn't  fly." 

**  But  when  it  becomes  known ?  "      He 

broke  off,  and  then  cried:  "Why  did  you  tell 
me?     Why  did  you  come  back  here?" 

"Well,  I  told  you  because  it  was  interesting, 
and  I  came  back  here  because  I  had  no 
money  to  go  elsewhere." 

"  I  would  have  sent  money." 

"  I  find  that  I  can  get  more  when  I  ask  in 
person.     Besides,  is  everything  finished?" 

"I'll  have  no  more  to  do  with  it." 

"  Ah,  my  dear  cousin,  you  despond  too 
soon.  The  good  King  is  unhappily  gone 
from  us,  but  we  still  have  our  dear  Queen. 
We  have  also,  by  the  kindness  of  Heaven, 
our  dear  Queen's  letter." 

"I'll  have  no  more  to  do  with  it." 

"Your  neck  feeling  .  .  .?"  Rupert  deli- 
cately imitated  the  putting  of  a  noose  about 
a  man's  throat. 

Rischenheim  rose  suddenly  and  flung  the 
window  open  wide. 

"  I  'm  suffocated,"  he  muttered  with  a 
sullen  frown,  avoiding  Rupert's  eyes. 


236  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  Where  's  Rudolf  Rassendyll  ?  "  asked 
Rupert.     **  Have  you  heard  of  him  ?  " 

"  No,  I  don't  know  where  he  is." 

**  We  must  find  that  out,  I  think." 

Rischenheim  turned  abruptly  on  him. 

**  I  had  no  hand  in  this  thing,"  he  said, 
"and  I'll  have  no  more  to  do  with  it.  I  was 
not  there.  What  did  I  know  of  the  King 
being  there  ?  I  'm  not  guilty  of  it :  on  my 
soul,  I  know  nothing  of  it." 

** That's  all  very  true,"  nodded  Rupert. 

"  Rupert,"  cried  he,  "  let  me  go,  let  me 
alone !  If  you  want  money,  I  '11  give  it  you. 
For  God's  sake  take  it,  and  get  out  of 
Strelsau !  " 

**  I  'm  ashamed  to  beg,  my  dear  cousin, 
but  in  fact  I  want  a  little  money  until 
I  can  contrive  to  realise  my  valuable  pro- 
perty. Is  it  safe,  I  wonder  ?  Ah,  yes, 
here  it  is." 

He  drew  from  his  inner  pocket  the  Queen's 
letter.  "  Now  if  the  King  hadn't  been  a 
fool ! "  he  murmured  regretfully,  as  he  re- 
garded it. 

Then  he  walked  across  to  the  window  and 
looked  out;  he  could  not  himself  be  seen 
from  the  street,  and  nobody  was  visible  at 
the  windows  opposite.  Men  and  women 
passed  to  and  fro  on  their  daily  labours  or 
pleasures  ;  there  was  no  unusual  stir  in  the 
city.  Looking  across  the  roofs,  Rupert  could 
see  the  royal  standard   floating  in   the   wind 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  -^37 

over  the  palace  and  barracks.  He  took  out 
his  watch ;  Rischenheim  imitated  his  action  : 
it  was  ten  minutes  to  ten. 

"  Rischenheim,"  he  called,  "  come  here  a 
moment.     Here — look  out." 

Rischenheim  obeyed,  and  Rupert  let  him 
look  for  a  minute  or  two  before  speaking 
again.     * 

**  Do  you  see  anything  remarkable  ?  "  he 
asked  then. 

*'  No,  nothing,"  answered  Rischenheim, 
still  curt  and  sullen  in  his  fright. 

"  Well,  no  more  do  I.  And  that 's  very 
odd.  For  don't  you  think  that  Sapt  or  some 
other  of  Her  Majesty's  friends  must  have 
gone  to  the  lodge  last  night  ?  " 

**They  meant  to,  I  swear,"  said  Rischen- 
heim with  sudden  attention. 

"Then  they  would  have  found  the  King. 
There's  a  telegraph  wire  at  Hofbau,  only  a 
few  miles  away.  And  it's  ten  o'clock.  My 
cousin,  why  isn't  Strelsau  mourning  for  our 
lamented  King  ?  Why  aren't  the  flags  at 
half-mast  ?     I  don't  understand  it." 

"No,"  murmured  Rischenheim,  his  eyes 
now  fixed  on  his  cousin's  face. 

Rupert  broke  into  a  smile  and  tapped  his 
teeth  with  his  fingers. 

"I  wonder,"  said  he  meditatively,  "if  that 
old  player  Sapt  has  got  a  king  up  his  sleeve 

again !     If  that   were    so "      He    stopped 

and    seemed    to     fall     into     deep     thought. 


238  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Rischenheim  did  not  interrupt  him,  but  stood 
looking  now  at  him,  now  out  of  the  window. 
Still  there  was  no  stir  in  the  streets,  and 
still  the  standards  floated  at  the  summit  of 
the  flagstaffs.  The  King's  death  was  not  yet 
known  in  Strelsau. 

"Where's  Bauer?"  asked  Rupert  suddenly. 
"Where  the  plague  can  Bauer  be?  He  was 
my  eyes.  Here  we  are,  cooped  up,  and  I 
don't  know  what 's  going  on." 

"I  don't  know  where  he  is.  Something 
must  have  happened  to  him." 

"Of  course,  my  wise  cousin.     But  what?" 

Rupert  began  to  walk  up  and  down  the 
room,  smoking  another  cigarette  at  a  great 
pace.  Rischenheim  sat  down  by  the  table, 
resting  his  head  on  his  hand.  He  was 
wearied  out  by  strain  and  excitement,  his 
wounded  arm  pained  him  greatly,  and  he 
was  full  of  horror  and  remorse  at  the  event 
which  had  happened  unknown  to  him  the 
night  before. 

"I  wish  I  was  quit  of  it,"  he  moaned  at 
last. 

Rupert  stopped  before  him. 

"You  repent  of  your  misdeeds?"  he  asked. 
"Well  then,  you  shall  be  allowed  to  repent. 
Nay,  you  shall  go  and  tell  the  King  that  you 
repent.  Rischenheim,  I  must  know  what 
they  are  doing.  You  must  go  and  ask  an 
audience  of  the  King." 

"But  the  King  is ** 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  239 

"We  shall  know  that  better  when  you've 
asked  for  your  audience.     See  here." 

Rupert     sat     down     by     his     cousin     and 

nstructed    him    in    his   task.      This    was  no 

other  than  to  discover  whether  there  were  a 

King  in  Strelsau,  or  whether  the   only  King 

lay    dead    in    the    hunting  -  lodge.      If   there 

were  no  attempt  being  made  to  conceal  the 

King's    death,    Rupert's    plan    was    to    seek 

safety  in   flight.       He   did    not    abandon    his 

designs:    from  the  secure  vantage  of  foreign 

soil  he  would   hold  the  Queen's  letter    over 

her  head,  and  by  the  threat  of  publishing  it 

ensure  at    once    immunity    for    himself   and 

almost  any  further  terms  which  he  chose  to 

exact  from  her.     If,  on  the  other  hand,  the 

Count    of   Luzau-Rischenheim  found  a  King 

in  Strelsau,  if  the  royal  standards  continued 

to  wave   at  the    summit    of   their    flagstaffs, 

and  Strelsau  knew  nothing  of  the  dead  man 

in  the  lodge,  then  Rupert  had  laid  his  hand  on 

another  secret ;  for  he  knew  who  the  King  in 

Strelsau  must  be.     Starting  from  this  point, 

his  audacious  mind  darted    forward   to  new 

and  bolder  schemes.     He  could  offer  again  to 

Rudolf  Rassendyll  what  he  had  offered  once 

before,  three  years  ago — a  partnership  in  crime 

and  the  profits  of  crime — or  if  this  advance 

were  refused,  then  he  declared  that  he  would 

himself   descend    openly  into  the    streets    of 

Strelsau  and  proclaim  the  death  of  the  King 

from  the  steps  of  the  Cathedral. 


240  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"Who  can  tell,"  he  cried,  springing  up, 
enraptured  and  merry  with  the  inspiration 
of  his  plan,  "who  can  tell  whether  Sapt  or 
I  came  to  the  lodge  first  ?  Who  found  the 
King  alive,  Sapt  or  I  ?  Who  left  him  dead, 
Sapt  or  I  ?  Who  had  most  interest  in  killing 
him — I,  who  only  sought  to  make  him  aware 
of  what  touched  his  honour,  or  Sapt,  who 
was  and  is  hand  and  glove  with  the  man 
that  now  robs  him  of  his  name  and  usurps 
his  place  while  his  body  is  still  warm  ?  Ah, 
they  haven't  done  with  Rupert  of  Hentzau 
yet ! " 

He  stopped,  looking  down  on  his  com- 
panion. Rischenheim's  fingers  still  twitched 
nervously  and  his  cheeks  were  pale.  But 
now  his  face  was  alight  with  interest  and 
eagerness.  Again  the  fascination  of  Rupert's 
audacity  and  the  infection  of  his  courage 
caught  on  his  kinsman's  weaker  nature,  and 
inspired  him  to  a  temporary  emulation  of  the 
will  that  dominated  him. 

**  You  sec,"  pursued  Rupert,  "  it 's  not 
likely  that   they'll   do  you  any  harm." 

•*  I  '11  risk  anything." 

"  Most  gallant  gentleman  !  At  the  worst 
they'll  only  keep  you  a  prisoner.  Well,  if 
you  're  not  back  in  a  couple  of  hours,  I  shall 
draw  my  conclusions.  I  shall  know  that 
there 's   a  king  in   Strelsau." 

**  But  where   shall   I   look   for  the   King  ? " 

"Why,   first   in    the   palace,   and    secondly 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  241 

at  Fritz  von  Tarlenheim's.  I  expect  you 
will   find  him   at    Fritz's,   though." 

"Shall   I   go  there   first,   then?" 

"  No.  That  would  be  seeming  to  know 
too   much." 

"You'll  wait  here?" 

"  Certainly,  cousin— unless  I  see  cause  to 
move,   you   know." 

"And    I   shall    find    you   on   my  return?" 

"  Me,  or  directions  from  me.  By  the 
way,  bring  money  too.  There  's  never  any 
harm  in  having  a  full  pocket.  I  wonder 
what  the  devil  does  without  a  breeches 
pocket  !  " 

Rischenheim  let  that  curious  speculation 
alone,  although  he  remembered  the  whim- 
sical air  with  which  Rupert  delivered  it. 
He  was  now  on  fire  to  be  gone,  his  ill- 
balanced  brain  leaping  from  the  depths  of 
despondency  to  the  certainty  of  brilliant 
success,  and  not  heeding  the  gulf  of  danger 
that  it   surpassed  in  buoyant  fancy. 

"We  shall  have  them  in  a  corner,  Rupert ! " 
he  cried. 

"  Aye,  perhaps.  But  wild  beasts  in  a 
corner  bite  hard." 

"  I   wish   my   arm   were   well !  " 

"You'll  be  safer  wilh  it  wounded,"  said 
Rupert   with   a   smile. 

"  By   God,    Rupert,   I   can   defend  myself." 

"  True,  true  ;  but  it 's  your  brain  I  want 
now,   cousin." 

x6 


242  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  You  shall  see  that  I  have  something  in 
me. 

**  If  it   please   God,   dear  cousin." 

With  every  mocking  encouragement  and 
every  careless  taunt  Rischenheim's  resolve 
to  prove  himself  a  man  grew  stronger.  He 
snatched  up  a  revolver  that  lay  on  the 
mantelpiece   and  put  it   in   his  pocket. 

*'  Don't  fire,  if  you  can  help  it,"  advised 
Rupert. 

Rischenheim's  answer  was  to  make  for 
the  door  at  a  great  speed.  Rupert  watched 
him  go,  and  then  returned  to  the  window. 
The  last  his  cousin  saw  was  his  figure 
standing  straight  and  lithe  against  the  light, 
while  he  looked  out  on  the  city.  Still  there 
was  no  stir  in  the  streets,  still  the  royal 
standard  floated  at  the  top  of  the  flag- 
staffs. 

Rischenheim  plunged  down  the  stairs : 
his  feet  were  too  slow  for  his  eagerness. 
At  the  bottom  he  found  the  girl  Rosa 
sweeping  the  passage  with  great  apparent 
diligence. 

"You're  going  out,  my  lord?"  she 
asked. 

"  Why,  yes ;  I  have  business.  Pray  stanc 
on  one  side,  this  passage  is  so  cursedly 
narrow." 

Rosa   showed   no  haste   in   moving. 

**  And  Count  Rupert,  is  he  going  out  also  ?  ** 
she  asked. 


A    KING    UP    HIS    SLEEVE.  243 

**  You     sec     he  *s     not     with     me.       He  '11 

wait "     Rischenheim  broke  off,  and  asked 

angrily,  "What  business  is  it  of  yours,  girl? 
Get   out   of   the   way!" 

She  moved  aside  now,  making  him  no 
answer.  He  rushed  past ;  she  looked  after 
him  with  a  smile  of  triumph.  Then  she 
fell  again  to  her  sweeping.  The  King  had 
bidden  her  to  be  ready  at  eleven.  It  was 
half-past  ten.  Soon  the  King  would  have 
need  of  her. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE    NEWS    COMES    TO    STRELSAU. 

N  leaving  No.  19,  Rischenheim  walked 
swiftly  some  little  way  up  the  Konig- 
strasse,  and  then  hailed  a  cab.  He  had 
hardly  raised  his  hand  when  he  heard  his 
name  called,  and,  looking  round,  saw  Anton 
von  Strofzin's  smart  phaeton  pulling  up 
beside  him.  Anton  was  driving,  and  on  the 
other  seat  was  a  large  nosegay  of  choice 
flowers. 

"Where  are  you  off  to?"  cried  Anton, 
leaning  forward  with  a  gay  smile. 

"  Well,  where  are  you  ?  To  a  lady's,  I 
presume,  from  your  bouquet  there," 
answered  Rischenheim,  as  lightly  as  he 
could. 

"The  little  bunch  of  flov/ers,"  simpered 
young  Anton,  "is  a  cousinly  offering  to 
Helga  von  Tarlenheim,  and  I  'm  going  to 
present  it.  Can  I  give  you  a  lift  any- 
where ?  " 

Although  Rischenheim  had  intended  to  go 
first  to  the  palace,  Anton's  offer  seemed  to 
give  him  a  good  excuse  for  drav/ing  the 
more  likely  covert    first. 

"  I  was  going   to    the  palace,   to  find  out 


244 


THE   NEWS    COMES   TO   STRELSAU.        245 

where  the  King  is.  I  want  to  see  him,  if 
he  '11  give  me  a  minute  or  two,"  he  re- 
marked. 

**  I  '11  drive  you  there  afterwards.  Jump 
up.  That  your  cab  ?  Here  you  are,  cab- 
man," and,  flinging  the  cabman  a  crown,  he 
displaced  the  bouquet  and  made  room  for 
Rischenheim  beside   him. 

Anton's  horses,  of  which  he  was  not  a 
little  proud,  made  short  work  of  the  distance 
to  my  home.  The  phaeton  rattled  up  to 
the  door,  and  both  the  young  men  got  out. 
The  moment  of  their  arrival  found  the 
Chancellor  just  leaving  to  return  to  his  own 
house.  Helsing  knew  them  both,  and  stopped 
to  rally  Anton  on  the  matter  of  his  bouquet. 
Anton  was  famous  for  his  bouquets,  which 
he  distributed  widely  among  the  ladies  of 
Strelsau. 

"I  hoped  it  was  for  my  daughter,"  said 
the  Chancellor  slyly.  "  For  I  love  flowers, 
and  my  wife  has  ceased  to  provide  me 
with  them ;  moreover  I  've  ceased  to  pro- 
vide her  with  them — so  but  for  my  daughter 
we  should  have  none." 
.  Anton  answered  his  chaff,  promising  a 
bouquet  for  the  young  lady  the  next  day, 
but  declaring  that  he  could  not  disappoint 
his  cousin.  He  was  interrupted  by  Ris- 
chenheim, who,  looking  round  on  the 
group  of  bystanders,  now  grown  numerous, 
exclaimed : 


246  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


"What's  going  on  here,  my  dear  Chan- 
cellor? What  are  all  these  people  hanging 
about  here  for  ?  Ah,  that 's  a  royal  car- 
riage !  " 

"The  Queen's  with  the  Countess,"  an- 
swered Helsing.  *'The  people  are  waiting 
to  see  her  come  out." 

"She's  always  worth  seeing,"  Anton  pro- 
nounced, sticking  his  glass  in  his  eye. 

"  And  you  've  been  to  visit  her  ?  "  pursued 
Rischenheim. 

"Why,  yes.  I — I  went  to  pay  my  respects, 
my  dear   Rischenheim." 

"An   early  visit !  " 

"  It  was   more   or  less  on  business." 

"  Ah,  I  have  business  also,  and  very  im- 
portant business.     But  it's  with  the  King." 

"  I  won't  keep  you  a  moment,  Rischen- 
heim," called  Anton,  as,  bouquet  in  hand, 
he  knocked  at  the   door. 

"With  the  King?"  said  Helsing.  "Ah, 
yes,  but  the   King " 

"I'm  on  my  way  to  the  palace  to  find 
out  where  he  is.  If  I  can't  see  him,  I 
must  write  at  once.  My  business  is  very 
urgent." 

"  Indeed,  my  dear  Count,  indeed !  Dear 
me!     Urgent,  you   say?" 

"  But  perhaps  you  can  help  me.  Is  he 
at  Zenda?" 

The  Chancellor  was  becoming  very  em- 
barrassed ;    Anton  had   disappeared   into  the 


THE   NEWS   COMES   TO   STRELSAU.        247 

house;    Rischenhcim   buttonholed   him   reso- 
lutely. 

"At    Zenda?      Well,    now,     I     don't 


Excuse   me,  but   what's  your   business?" 

"  Excuse  me,  my  dear  Chancellor :  it 's  a 
secret." 

**  I   have  the   King's  confidence." 

**  Then  you  '11  be  indifferent  to  not  enjoying 
mine,"  smiled  Rischenheim. 

"I  perceive  that  your  arm  is  hurt," 
observed  the  Chancellor,  seeking  a  diversion. 

*'  Between  ourselves,  that  has  something  to 
do  with  my  business.  Well,  I  must  go  to  the 
palace.  Or — stay — would  Her  Majesty  con- 
descend to  help  me  ?  I  think  I  '11  risk  a 
request.  She  can  but  refuse,"  and  so  saying 
Rischenheim  approached  the  door. 

*'  Oh,  my  friend,  I  wouldn't  do  that," 
cried  Helsing,  darting  after  him.  "  The 
Queen  is  —  well,  very  much  engaged.  She 
won't  like  to  be   troubled." 

Rischenheim  took  no  notice  of  him,  but 
knocked  loudly.  The  door  was  opened,  and 
he  told  the  butler  to  carry  his  name  to 
the  Queen  and  beg  a  moment's  speech  with 
her.  Helsing  stood  in  perplexity  on  the 
steps.  The  crowd  was  delighted  with  the 
coming  of  these  great  folk  and  showed  no 
sign  of  dispersing.  Anton  von  Strofzin  did 
not  reappear.  Rischenheim  edged  himself 
inside  the  doorway  and  stood  on  the  thresh- 
old   of    the    hall.      There    he    heard    voices 


248  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

proceeding  from  the  sitting-room  on  the 
left.  He  recognised  the  Queen's,  my  wife's, 
and  Anton's.  Then  came  the  butler's, 
saying : 

"I  vv'ill  inform  the  Count  of  Your  Majesty's 
wishes." 

The  door  of  the  room  opened;  the  butler 
appeared,  and  immediately  behind  him  Anton 
von  Strofzin  and  Bernenstein.  Bernenstein 
had  the  young  fellow  by  the  arm,  and 
hurried  him  through  the  hall.  They  passed 
the  butler,  who  made  way  for  them,  and 
came  to   where    Rischenheim   stood. 

"We  meet  again,"  said  Rischenheim  with 
a  bow. 

The  Chancellor  rubbed  his  hands  in 
nervous  perturbation.  The  butler  stepped 
up  and  delivered  his  message :  the  Queen 
regretted  her  inability  to  receive  the  Count. 
Rischenheim  nodded,  and,  standing  so  that 
the  door  could  not  be  shut,  asked  Bernen- 
stein whether  he  knew  where  the  King 
was. 

Now  Bernenstein  was  most  anxious  to 
get  the  pair  of  them  away  and  the  door 
shut,  but  he   dared   show   no   eagerness. 

"  Do  you  want  another  interview  with  the 
King  already  ? "  he  asked  with  a  smile. 
"The  last   was   so   pleasant,  then?" 

Rischenheim  took  no  notice  of  the  taunt, 
but  observed  sarcastically : 

•*  There 's    a    strange    difficulty    in    finding 


THE   NEWS    COMES    TO    STRELSAU.        249 

our  good  King.  The  Chancellor  here  doesn't 
know  where  he  is,  or  at  least  he  won't 
answer    my    questions." 

"  Possibly  the  King  has  his  reasons  for 
not  wishing  to  be  disturbed,"  suggested 
Bernenstein. 

"It's  very  possible,"  retorted  Rischen- 
heim   significantly. 

*' Meanwhile,  my  dear  Count,  I  shall  take 
it  as  a  personal  favour  if  you'll  move  out 
of   the   doorway." 

**  Do  I  incommode  you  by  standing  here  ?" 
asked  the  Count. 

"  Infinitely,  my  lord,"  answered  Bernen- 
stein  stiffly. 

**  Hullo,  Bernenstein,  what 's  the  matter?" 
cried  Anton,  seeing  that  their  tones  and 
glances  had  grown  angry.  The  crowd  also 
had  noticed  the  raised  voices  and  hostile 
manner  of  the  disputants,  and  began  to 
gather  round  in  a  more  compact  group. 

Suddenly  a  voice  came  from  inside  the 
hall  ;  it  was  distinct  and  loud,  yet  not 
without  a  touch  of  huskiness.  The  sound 
of  it  hushed  the  rising  quarrel  and  silenced 
the  crowd  into  expectant  stillness.  Bernen- 
stein looked  aghast,  Rischenheim  nervous 
yet  triumphant,  Anton  amused  and  gratified. 

"  The  King  ! "  he  cried,  and  burst  into  a 
laugh.     "You've  drawn  him,  Rischenheim!" 

The  crowd  heard  his  boyish  exclamation 
and    raised    a    cheer.      Helsing    turned    as 


250  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

though  to  rebuke  them.  Had  not  the  King 
himself  desired  secrecy  ?  Yes,  but  he  who 
spoke  as  the  King  chose  any  risk  sooner 
than  let  Rischenheim  go  back  and  warn 
Rupert  of  his  presence. 

"Is  that  the  Count  of  Luzau- Rischen- 
heim ? "  called  Rudolf  from  within.  "  If 
so,  let  him  enter  and  then  shut  the  door." 

There  was  something  in  his  tone  that 
alarmed  Rischenheim.  He  started  back  on 
the  step.  But  Bernenstein  caught  him  by 
the  arm. 

**  Since  you  wished  to  come  in,  come  in," 
he  said  with  a  grim  smile. 

Rischenheim  looked  round,  as  though  he 
meditated  flight.  The  next  moment  Bernen- 
stein was  thrust  aside.  For  one  short 
instant  a  tall  figure  appeared  in  the  doorway ; 
the  crowd  had  but  a  glimpse,  yet  they 
cheered  again.  Risehenheim's  hand  was 
clasped  in  a  firm  grip  ;  he  passed  unwillingly 
but  helplessly  through  the  door.  Bernenstein 
followed  ;  the  door  was  shut.  Anton  faced 
round  on  Helsing,  a  scornful  twist  on  his 
lips. 

**  There  was  a  deuced  lot  of  mystery 
about  nothing,"  said  he.  **  Why  couldn't 
you  say  he  was  there  ? "  And  without 
waiting  for  an  answer  from  the  outraged  and 
bewildered  Chancellor  he  swung  down  the 
steps   and  climbed  into  his  phaeton. 

The    people    round   were   chatting   noisily, 


THE    NEWS   COMES   TO    STRELSAU.         251 

delighted  to  have  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
King,  speculating  what  brought  him  and  the 
Queen  to  my  house,  and  hoping  that  they 
would  soon  come  out  and  get  into  the  royal 
carriage   that   still   stood  waiting. 

Had  they  been  able  to  see  inside  the  door, 
their  emotion  would  have  been  stirred  to 
a  keener  pitch.  Rudolf  himself  caught  Ris- 
chenheim  by  the  arm,  and  without  a 
moment's  delay  led  him  towards  the  back 
of  the  house.  They  went  along  a  passage 
and  reached  a  small  room  that  looked  out 
on  the  garden.  Rudolf  had  known  my 
house  in  old  days,  and  did  not  forget  its 
resources. 

'•  Shut  the  door,  Bernenstein,"  said  Rudolf. 
Then  he  turned  to  Rischenheim.  <*  My 
lord,"  he  said,  **I  suppose  you  came  to  find 
out  something.     Do  you  know  it  now?" 

Rischenheim  plucked  up  courage  to  answer 
him. 

**  Yes,  I  know  now  that  I  have  to  deal 
with  an  impostor,"  said  he  defiantly. 

**  Precisely.  And  impostors  cannot  afford 
to  be  exposed." 

Rischenheim's  cheek  turned  rather  pale. 
Rudolf  faced  him,  and  Bernenstein  guarded 
the  door.  He  was  absolutely  at  their  mercy ; 
and  he  knew  their  secret.  Did  they  know 
his — the  news  that  Rupert  of  Hentzau  had 
brought  ? 

"  Listen,"  said  Rudolf.     **  For  a  few  hours 


252  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

to-day  I  am  King  in  Strelsau.  In  those  few 
hours  I  have  an  account  to  settle  with  your 
cousin  ;  something  that  he  has,  I  must  have. 
I  *m  going  now  to  seek  him,  and  while  I 
seek  him  you  will  stay  here  with  Bernenstein. 
Perhaps  I  shall  fail,  perhaps  I  shall  succeed. 
Whether  I  succeed  or  fail,  by  to-night  I  shall 
be  far  from  Strelsau,  and  the  King's  place 
will  be  free  for  him  again." 

Rischenheim  gave  a  slight  start,  and  a 
look  of  triumph  spread  over  his  face.  They 
did  not  know  that  the  King  was  dead. 

Rudolf  came  nearer  to  him,  fixing  his  eyes 
steadily  on  his  prisoner's  face. 

"  I  don't  know,"  he  continued,  "why  you 
are  in  this  business,  my  lord.  Your  cousin's 
motives  I  know  well.  But  I  wonder  that 
they  seemed  to  you  great  enough  to  justify 
the  ruin  of  an  unhappy  lady,  who  is  your 
Queen.  Be  assured  that  I  will  die  sooner 
than  let  that  letter  reach  the  King's  hand." 

Rischenheim   made  him   no   answer. 

*' Are  you   armed?"   asked   Rudolf. 

Rischenheim  sullenly  flung  his  revolver 
on  the  table.  Bernenstein  came  forward 
and  took  it. 

**  Keep  him  here,  Bernenstein.  When  I 
return  I'll  tell  you  what  more  to  do.  If  I 
don't  return,  Fritz  will  be  here  soon,  and 
you  and  he   must  make   your  own   plans." 

"He  shan't  give  me  the  slip  a  second 
time,"   said  Bernenstein. 


THE   NEWS    COMES   TO    STRELSAU.        253 

"  We  hold  ourselves  free,"  said  Rudolf 
to  Rischenheim,  "to  do  what  we  please 
with  you,  my  lord.  But  I  have  no  wish 
to  cause  your  death,  unless  it  be  necessary. 
You  will  be  wise  to  wait  till  your  cousin's 
fate  is  decided  before  you  attempt  any 
further  steps  against  us."  And  with  a  slight 
bow  he  left  the  prisoner  in  Bernenstein's 
charge,  and  went  back  to  the  room  where 
the  Queen  awaited  him.  Helga  was  with 
her.     The   Queen   sprang  up  to  meet  him. 

"  I  mustn't  lose  a  moment,"  he  said. 
**  All  that  crowd  of  people  know  now  that 
the  King  is  here.  The  news  will  filter 
through  the  tov/n  in  no  time.  We  must 
send  word  to  Sapt  to  keep  it  from  the 
King's  ears  at  all  costs :  I  must  go  and 
do   my   work,    and   then   disappear." 

The  Queen  stood  facing  him.  Her  eyes 
seemed  to  devour  his  face ;  but  she  said 
only  : 

**  Yes,  it  must  be  so." 

"  You  must  return  to  the  palace  as  soon 
as  I  am  gone.  I  shall  send  out  and  ask  the 
people  to  disperse,  and  then  I  must  be  off." 

"To   seek   Rupert   of  Hentzau  ? " 

"Yes." 

She  struggled  for  a  moment  with  the 
contending  feelings  that  filled  her  heart. 
Then  she  came  to  him  and  seized  hold  of 
his  hand. 

"Don't    go,"   she    said,    in    low    trembling 


254  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

tones.  "Don't  go,  Rudolf.  He'll  kill  you. 
Never  mind  the  letter.  Don't  go :  I  had 
rather  a  thousand  times  that  the  King  had 
it  than  that  you  should  .  .  .  Oh,  my  dear, 
don't  go  !  " 

**  I   must   go,"   he   said   softly. 

Again  she  began  to  implore  him,  but  he 
would  not  yield.  Helga  moved  towards  the 
door,   but   Rudolf  stopped  her. 

"  No,"  he  said,  "  you  must  stay  with  her, 
you   must   go  to  the  palace   with   her." 

Even  as  he  spoke  they  heard  the  wheels 
of  a  carriage  driven  quickly  to  the  door. 
By  now  I  had  met  Anton  von  Strofzin  and 
heard  from  him  that  the  King  was  at  my 
house.  As  I  dashed  up,  the  news  was 
confirmed  by  the  comments  and  jokes  of  the 
crowd. 

"Ah,  he's  in  a  hurry,"  they  said.  "He's 
kept  the  King  waiting.     He  '11  get  a  wigging." 

As  may  be  supposed,  I  paid  little  heed  to 
them.  I  sprang  out  and  ran  up  the  steps 
to  the  door.  I  saw  my  wife's  face  at  the 
window :  she  herself  ran  to  the  door  and 
opened   it   for  me. 

"  Good  God,"  I  whispered,  "  do  all  these 
people  know  he's  here,  and  take  him  for 
the   King?" 

"Yes,"  she  said.  "We  couldn't  help  it, 
he  showed  himself  at  the  door." 

It  was  worse  than  I  dreamt :  not  two  or 
three  people,  but  all  that  crowd  were  victims 


THE   NEWS    COMES   TO   STRELSAU.        255 

of  the  mistake  ;  all  of  them  had  heard  that 
the  King  was  in  Strelsau — aye,  and  had  seen 
him. 

*♦  Where  is  he  ?  Where  is  he  ?  "  I  asked, 
and    followed   her   hastily   to   the   room. 

The  Queen  and  Rudolf  were  standing  side 
by  side.  What  I  have  told  from  Helga's 
description  had  just  passed  between  them. 
Rudolf  ran   to  meet   me. 

•'  Is   all  well  ? "   he   asked   eagerly. 

I  forgot  the  Queen's  presence  and  paid  no 
sign  of  respect  to  her.  I  caught  Rudolf  by 
the   arm   and   cried  to  him : 

**  Do  they  take  you  for  the   King  ? " 

"  Yes,"  he  said.  "  Heavens,  man,  don't 
look  so  white!  We  shall  manage  it.  I  can 
be   gone   by  to-night." 

"  Gone  ?  How  will  that  help,  since  they 
believe  you  to  be  the   King?" 

"  You  can  keep  it  from  the  King,"  he  urged. 
"  I  couldn't  help  it.  I  can  settle  with  Rupert 
and   disappear." 

The  three  were  standing  round  me,  sur- 
prised at  my  great  and  terrible  agitation. 
Looking  back  now,  I  wonder  that  I  could 
speak  to  them  at  all. 

Rudolf  tried  again  to  reassure  me.  He 
little   knew  the  cause   of  what  he  saw. 

"It  won't  take  long  to  settle  affairs  with 
Rupert,"  said  he.  "  And  we  must  have 
the  letter,  or  it  will  get  to  the  King  after 
all." 


256  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"The  King  will  never  see  the  letter,"  I 
blurted  out,   as   I   sank  back   in   a  chair. 

They  said  nothing.  I  looked  round  on 
their  faces.  I  had  a  strange  feeling  of  help- 
lessness, and  seemed  to  be  able  to  do 
nothing  but  throw  the  truth  at  them  in  blunt 
plainness.  Let  them  make  what  they  could 
of  it,  I   could  make   nothing. 

"The  King  will  never  see  the  letter,"  I 
repeated.  '*  Rupert  himself  has  ensured 
that." 

"What  do  you  mean?  YouVe  not  met 
Rupert  ?     You  've   not   got  the   letter  ?  " 

"No,  no;  but  the  King  can  never  read  it." 

Then  Rudolf  seized  me  by  the  shoulder 
and  fairly  shook  me ;  indeed  I  must  have 
seemed  like   a  man  in  a  dream  or  a  torpor. 

"Why  not,  man,  why  not?"  he  asked  in 
urgent  low  tones. 

Again  I  looked  at  them,  but  somehow  this 
time  my  eyes  were  attracted  and  held  by 
the  Queen's  face.  I  believe  that  she  was  the 
first  to  catch  a  hint  of  the  tidings  I  brought. 
Her  lips  were  parted,  and  her  gaze  eagerly 
strained  upon  me.  I  rubbed  my  hand  across 
my  forehead,  and  looking  up  stupidly  at  her 
I   said : 

"He  can  never  see  the  letter.    He's  dead." 

There  was  a  little  scream  from  Helga; 
Rudolf  neither  spoke  nor  moved ;  the  Queen 
continued  to  gaze  at  me  in  motionless 
wonder   and  horror. 


THE   NEWS   COMES   TO   STRELSAU. 


257 


"Rupert  killed  him,"  said  I.  "The  boar- 
hound  attacked  Rupert ;  then  Herbert  and 
the  King  attacked  him;  and  he  killed  them 
all.     Yes,   the   King  is   dead.       He's   dead." 

Now  none  spoke.  The  Queen's  eyes  never 
left  my  face. 

"  Yes,  he  's  dead  !  "  said  I;  and  I  watched 
her  eyes  still.  For  a  long  while  (or  long  it 
seemed)  they  were  on  my  face  ;  at  last,  as 
though  drawn  by  some  irresistible  force, 
they  turned  away.  I  followed  the  new  line 
they  took.  She  looked  at  Rudolf  Rassen- 
dyll,  and  he  at  her.  Helga  had  taken  out 
her  handkerchief,  and,  utterly  upset  by  the 
horror  and  shock,  was  lying  back  in  a  low 
chair,  sobbing  half- hysterically ;  I  saw  the 
swift  look  that  passed  from  the  Queen  to  her 
lover,  carrying  in  it  grief,  remorse,  and  most 
unwilling  joy.  He  did  not  speak  to  her,  but 
put  out  his  hand  and  took  hers.  She  drew 
it  away  almost  sharply,  and  covered  her  face 
with  both  hands.      Rudolf  turned  to  mc. 

**  When  was  it  ?  " 

*«  Last  night." 

"And  the    .     .     .    He's   at  the  lodge?" 

"Yes,  with  Sapt  and  James." 

I  was  recovering  my  senses  and  my 
coolness. 

"  Nobody  knows  yet,"  I  said.  "  We  were 
afraid  you  might  be  taken  for  him  by  some- 
body. But,  my  God,  Rudolf,  what 's  to  be 
done   no'.v  ?  " 


«7 


258  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Mr.  Rasscndyll's  lips  were  set  firm  and 
tight.  He  frowned  slightly,  and  his  blue 
eyes  wore  a  curious  entranced  expression. 
He  seemed  to  me  to  be  forgetful  of  every- 
thing, even  of  us  who  were  with  him,  in 
some  one  idea  that  possessed  him.  The 
Queen  herself  came  nearer  to  him  and 
lightly  touched  his  arm  with  her  hand. 
He  started  as  though  surprised,  then  fell 
again  into  his   reverie. 

"What's  to  be  done,  Rudolf?"  I  asked 
again. 

**  I  'm  going  to  kill  Rupert  of  Hentzau,*' 
he  said.  **  The  rest  we  *11  talk  of  after- 
wards." 

He  walked  rapidly  across  the  room  and 
rang  the  bell. 

**  Clear  those  people  away,"  he  ordered. 
"Tell  them  that  I  want  to  be  quiet.  Then 
send  a  closed  carriage  round  for  me. 
Don't  be  more  than   ten  minutes." 

The  servant  received  his  peremptory 
orders  with  a  low  bow,  and  left  us.  The 
Queen,  who  had  been  all  this  time  out- 
wardly calm  and  composed,  now  fell  into 
a  great  agitation,  which  even  the  conscious- 
ness of  our  presence  could  not  enable  her 
to  hide. 

"  Rudolf,  must  you  go  ?  Since — since  this 
has  happened " 

"Hush,  my  dearest  lady,"  he  whispered. 
Then   he  went   on   more    loudly :    "I   won't 


THE   NEWS   COMES   TO    STRELSAU.        259 

quit  Ruritania  a  second  time  leaving  Rupert 
of  Hentzau  alive.  Fritz,  send  word  to  Sapt 
that  the  King  is  in  Strelsau— he  will  under- 
stand— and  that  instructions  from  the  King 
will  follow  by  midday.  When  I  have  killed 
Rupert,  I  shall  visit  the  lodge  on  my  way 
to  the   frontier." 

He  turned  to  go,  but  the  Queen,  following, 
detained  him  for  a  minute. 

"You'll  come  and  see  me  before  you  go?" 
she  pleaded. 

*•  But  I  ought  not,"  said  he,  his  resolute 
eyes  suddenly  softening  in  a  marvellous 
fashion. 

"You  will?" 

**  Yes,  my  Queen." 

Then  I  sprang  up,  for  a  sudden  dread  laid 
hold  on  me. 

"Heavens,  man,"  I  cried,  "what  if  he  kills 
you — there  in  the  Konigstrasse  ?  " 

Rudolf  turned  to  me ;  there  was  a  look 
of  surprise  on  his  face. 

"  He  won't  kill  me,"  he  answered. 

The  Queen,  looking  still  in  Rudolf's  face, 
and  forgetful  now,  as  it  seemed,  of  the 
dream  that  had  so  terrified  her,  took  no 
notice  of  what  I  said,  but  urged  again  : 

"You'll  come,  Rudolf?" 

"Yes,  once,  my  Queen,"  and  with  a  last 
kiss  of  her  hand  he  was  gone. 

The  Queen  stood  for  yet  another  moment 
where  she  was,  still  and  almost  rigid.    Then 


260  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

suddenly  she  walked  or  stumbled  to  where 
my  wife  sat,  and,  flinging  herself  on  her 
knees,  hid  her  face  in  Helga's  lap;  I  heard 
her  sobs  break  out  fast  and  tumultuously. 
Helga  looked  up  at  me,  the  tears  streaming 
down  her  cheeks.  I  turned  and  went  out. 
Perhaps  Helga  could  comfort  her;  I  prayed 
that  God  in  His  pity  might  send  her  comfort, 
although  she  for  her  sin's  sake  dared  not 
ask  it  of  Him.  Poor  soul !  I  hope  there 
may  be  nothing  worse  scored  to  my  account. 


7  heard  her  sobs. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  PASTIME  FOR  COLONEL  SAPT. 

THE  Constable  of  Zenda  and  James,  Mr. 
Rassendyll's  servant,  sat  at  breakfast 
in  the  hunting-lodge.  They  were  in 
the  small  room  which  was  ordinarily  used  as 
the  bedroom  of  the  gentleman  in  attendance 
on  the  King:  they  chose  it  now  because 
it  commanded  a  view  of  the  approach. 
The  door  of  the  house  was  securely  fastened  : 
they  were  prepared  to  refuse  admission ; 
in  case  refusal  were  impossible,  the  pre- 
parations for  concealing  the  King's  body  and 
that  of  his  huntsman  Herbert  were  complete. 
Inquirers  would  be  told  that  the  King  had 
ridden  out  with  his  huntsman  at  daybreak, 
promising  to  return  in  the  evening,  but  not 
stating  where  he  was  going ;  Sapt  was 
under  orders  to  await  his  return,  and  James 
was  expecting  instructions  from  his  master 
the  Count  of  Tarlenheim.  Thus  armed 
against  discovery,  they  looked  for  news 
from  me  which  should  determine  their 
future   action. 

Meanwhile  there  was  an  interval  of  en- 
forced idleness.  Sapt,  his  meal  finished, 
puffed   away  at  his  p^rcat  pipe;  James,  after 


262  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

much  pressure,  had  consented  to  light  a 
small  black  clay,  and  sat  at  his  ease  with 
his  legs  stretched  before  him.  His  brows 
were  knit,  and  a  curious  half-smile  played 
about   his   mouth. 

"What  may  you  be  thinking  about,  friend 
James?"  asked  the  Constable  between  two 
puffs.  He  had  taken  a  fancy  to  the  alert 
ready  little  fellow. 

James  smoked  for  a  moment,  then  took  his 
pipe  from  his  mouth. 

"  I  was  thinking,  sir,  that  since  the  King  is 
dead "    He  paused. 

"  The  King  is  no  doubt  dead,  poor  fellow," 
said  Sapt,  nodding. 

"That  since  he's  certainly  dead,  and  since 
my  master,  Mr.  Rassendyll,  is  alive " 

"  So  far  as  we  know,  James,"  Sapt  re- 
minded him. 

"  Why,  yes,  sir,  so  far  as  we  know.  Since 
then  Mr.  Rassendyll  is  alive  and  the  King 
is  dead,  I  was  thinking  that  it  was  a  great 
pity,  sir,  that  my  master  can't  take  his  place 
and  be   King." 

James  looked  across  at  the  Constable  with 
an  air  of  a  man  who  offers  a  respectful 
suggestion. 

"A  remarkable  thought,  James,"  observed 
the  Constable  with  a  grin. 

"You  don't  agree  with  me,  sir?"  asked 
James  deprecatingly. 

"I  don't  say  that  it  isn't  a  pity,  for  Rudolf 


2 

s 


J^ 


A  PASTIME  FOR   COLONF.L  SAPT.         263 

makes  a  good  King.  But  you  sec  it 's  impos- 
sible, isn't  it?" 

James  nursed  his  knee  between  his  hands, 
and  his  pipe,  which  he  had  replaced,  stuck 
out  of  one  corner  of  his  mouth. 

"When  you  say  impossible,  sir,"  he 
remarked  deferentially,  "  I  venture  to  differ 
from  you." 

"You  do?  Come,  we're  at  leisure.  Let's 
hear  how  it  would  be  possible." 

'*  My  master  is  in  Strelsau,  sir,"  began 
James. 

"Well,  most  likely." 

"  I  'm  sure  of  it,  sir.  If  he  *s  seen  there, 
he  will  be  taken  for  the  King." 

"That  has  happened  before,  and  no  doubt 
may  happen  again,  unless " 

"Why,  of  course,  sir,  unless  the  King's 
body  should  be  discovered." 

"  That 's  what  I  was  about  to  say,  James." 

James  kept  silence  for  a  few  minutes. 
Then  he  observed  : 

"  It  will  be  very  awkward  to  explain  how 
the  King  was  killed." 

"  The  story  will  need  good  telling,"  ad- 
mitted Sapt. 

"And  it  will  be  difficult  to  make  it  appear 
that  the  King  was  killed  in  Strelsau ;  yet  if 
my  master  should  chance  to  be  killed  in 
Strelsau " 

"Heaven  forbid,  James!  On  all  grounds, 
Heaven   forbid !  " 


264  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  Even  if  my  master  is  not  killed,  it  will 
be  difficult  for  us  to  get  the  King  killed  at 
the  right  time,  and  by  means  that  will  seem 
plausible." 

Sapt  seemed  to  fall  into  the  humour  of  the 
speculation. 

"That's  all  very  true.  But  if  Mr.  Rassen- 
dyll  is  to  be  King,  it  will  be  both  awkward 
and  difficult  to  dispose  of  the  King's  body 
and  of  this  poor  fellow  Herbert,"  said  he, 
sucking  at  his  pipe. 

Again  James  paused  for  a  little  while 
before  he  remarked : 

"I  am,  of  course,  sir,  only  discussing  the 
matter  by  way  of  passing  the  time.  It 
would  probably  be  wrong  to  carry  any  such 
plan  into  effect." 

"It  might  be,  but  let  us  discuss  it— to 
pass  the  time,"  said  Sapt ;  and  he  leant  for- 
ward, looking  into  the  servant's  quiet  shrewd 
face. 

"  Well,  then,  sir,  since  it  amuses  you,  let 
us  say  that  the  King  came  to  the  lodge  last 
night,  and  was  joined  there  by  his  friend 
Mr.  Rassendyll." 

"And  did  I  come  too?" 

"  You,  sir,  came  also,  in  attendance  on  the 
King." 

"  Well,  and  you,  James  ?  You  came.  How 
came  you  ?  " 

"Why,  sir,  by  the  Count  of  Tarlenheim's 
orders,  to  wait  on  Mr.  Rassendyll,  the  King's 


A   PASTIME   FOR   COLONEL   SAPT.         265 

friend.  Now  the  King,  sir  .  .  .  This  is  my 
story,  you  know,    sir,    only  my   story." 

"Your  story  interests  me.  Go  on  with 
it." 

"  The  King  went  out  very  early  this 
morning,  sir." 

"That  would  be  on  private  business?" 

*•  So  we  should  have  understood.  But 
Mr.  Rassendyll,  Herbert,  and  ourselves  re- 
mained here." 

"  Had  the  Count  of   Hentzau  been  ? " 

"Not  to  our  knowledge,  sir.  But  we  were 
all  tired  and  slept  very  soundly." 

"  Now  did  we  ?  "  said  the  Constable  with 
a  grim  smile. 

"In  fact,  sir,  we  were  all  overcome  with 
fatigue — Mr.  Rassendyll  like  the  rest — and 
full  morning  found  us  still  in  our  beds. 
There  we  should  be  to  this  moment,  sir, 
had  we  not  been  suddenly  aroused  in  a 
startling  and  fearful  manner." 

"  You  should  write  story-books,  James. 
Now  what  was  this  fearful  manner  in  which 
we  were  aroused  ?  " 

James  laid  down  his  pipe,  and,  resting 
his  hands  on  his  knees,  continued  his  story. 

"  This  lodge,  sir,  this  woodeR  lodge — for 
the  lodge  is  all  of  wood,  sir,  without  and 
within." 

"This  lodge  is  undoubtedly  of  wood, 
James,  and,  as  you  say,  both  inside  and 
out." 


266  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  And  since  it  is,  sir,  it  would  be  mighty 
careless  to  leave  a  candle  burning  where 
the  oil  and  firewood  are  stored." 

**  Most  criminal !  " 

**  But  hard  words  don't  hurt  dead  men ; 
and  you  see,   sir,   poor   Herbert  is   dead." 

"  It  is  true.     He  wouldn't  feel  aggrieved." 

**  But  we,  sir,  you  and  I,  awaking " 

**  Aren't  the  others  to  awake,  James  ?  " 

**  Indeed,  sir,  I  should  pray  that  they  had 
nevsr  awaked.  For  you  and  I,  waking  first, 
would  find  the  lodge  a  mass  of  flames.  We 
should  have  to  run  for  our  lives." 

"What?  Should  we  make  no  effort  to 
rouse  the  others?  " 

<*  Indeed,  sir,  we  should  do  all  that  men 
could  do;  we  should  even  risk  death  by 
suffocation." 

**  But  we  should  fail,  in  spite  of  our 
heroism,   should  we?" 

"Alas,  sir,  in  spite  of  all  our  efforts  we  should 
fail.  The  flames  would  envelop  the  lodge  in 
one  blaze ;  before  help  could  come,  the  lodge 
would  be  in  ruins,  and  my  unhappy  master  and 
poor  Herbert  would  be  consumed  to  ashes." 

"Hum!" 

"They  would,  at  least,  sir,  be  entirely 
unrecognisable." 

"You  think  so?" 

"  Beyond  doubt,  if  the  oil  and  the  firewood 
and  the  candle  were  placed  to  the  best 
advantage." 


A   PASTIME   FOR   COLONEL   SAPT.         267 

"Ah,  yes.  And  there  would  be  an  end  of 
Rudolf   Rassendyll?" 

"  Sir,  I  should  myself  carry  the  tidings  to 
his  family." 

"Whereas  the  King  of  Ruritania " 

"  Would  enjoy  a  long  and  prosperous 
reign,  God  willing,  sir." 

"And  the  Queen  of  Ruritania,  James?" 

**  Do  not  misunderstand  me,  sir.  They 
could  be  secretly  married  —  I  should  say 
re-married." 

"Yes,  certainly,  re-married." 

"  By  a  trustworthy  priest." 

"You  mean  an  untrustworthy  priest?" 

"It's  the  same  thing,  sir,  from  a  different 
point  of  view." 

For  the  first  time  James  smiled  a  thoughtful 
smile. 

Sapt  in  his  turn  laid  down  his  pipe  now, 
and  was  tugging  at  his  moustache.  There 
was  a  smile  on  his  lips  too,  and  his  eyes 
looked  hard  into  James's.  The  little  man 
met  his  glance  composedly. 

"It's  an  ingenious  fancy,  this  of  yours, 
James,"  the  Constable  remarked.  "What, 
though,  if  your  master's  killed  too?  That's 
quite  possible.  Count  Rupert 's  a  man  to  be 
reckoned  with." 

"  If  my  master  is  killed,  sir,  he  must  be 
buried,"  answered  James. 

"  In  Strelsau  ?  "  came  in  quick  question 
from  Sapt, 


268  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  He  won't  mind  where,  sir." 

**  True,  he  won't  mind,  and  we  needn't 
mind   for  him," 

**  Why,  no,  sir.  But  to  carry  a  body 
secretly  from  here  to  Strelsau " 

"  Yes,  that  is,  as  we  agreed  at  the  first, 
difficult.  Well,  it's  a  pretty  story,  but — 
your  master  wouldn't  approve  of  it.  Sup- 
posing he  were  not  killed,  I  mean." 

*<  It 's  waste  of  time,  sir,  disapproving  of 
what 's  done  :  he  might  think  the  story 
better  than  the  truth,  although  it's  not  a 
good  story." 

The  two  men's  eyes  met  again  in  a  long 
glance. 

"  Where  do  you  come  from  ?  "  asked  Sapt 
suddenly. 

"  London,  sir,  originally." 

**  They  make  good  stories  there  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  act  them  sometimes." 

The  instant  he  had  spoken,  James  sprang 
to  his  feet  and  pointed  out  of  the  window. 

A  man  on  horseback  was  cantering  towards 
the  lodge.  Exchanging  one  quick  look,  both 
hastened  to  the  door,  and,  advancing  some 
twenty  yards,  waited  under  the  tree  on  the 
spot  where  Boris  lay  buried. 

**  By  the  way,"  said  Sapt,  **  you  forgot 
the  dog,"  and  he  pointed  to  the  ground. 

**  The  affectionate  beast  will  be  in  his 
master's  room,  and  die  there,  sir." 

«*  Eh,  but  he  must  rise  again  first  ! " 


A   PASTIME   FOR    COLONEL   SAPT.         269 

"Certainly,  sir.  That  won't  be  a  long 
matter." 

Sapt  was  still  smiling  in  grim  amusement 
when  the  messenger  came  up  and,  leaning 
from  his  horse,  handed  him  a  telegram. 

**  Special  and  urgent,  sir,"  said  he. 

Sapt  tore  it  open  and  read.  It  was  the 
message  that  I  sent  in  obedience  to  Mr. 
Rassendyll's  orders.  He  would  not  trust  my 
cipher,  but,  indeed,  none  was  necessary. 
Sapt  would  understand  the  message,  although 
it  said  simply:  "The  King  is  in  Strelsau. 
Wait  orders  at  the  lodge.  Business  here 
in  progress,  but  not  finished.  Will  wire 
again." 

Sapt  handed  it  to  James,  who  took  it  with 
a  respectful  little  bow.  James  read  it  with 
attention,  and  returned  it  with  another  bow. 

"  I  '11  attend  to  what  it  says,  sir,"  he 
remarked. 

*'  Yes,"  said  Sapt.  **  Thanks,  my  man," 
he  added  to  the  messenger.  "Here's  a 
crown  for  you.  If  any  other  message  comes 
for  me  and  you  bring  it  in  good  time,  you 
shall  have  another." 

"  You  shall  have  it  as  quick  as  a  horse 
can  bring  it  from  the  station,  sir." 

"  The  King's  business  won't  bear  delay, 
you  know,"  nodded  Sapt. 

"  You  shan't  have  to  wait,  sir,"  and,  with 
a  parting  salute,  the  fellow  turned  his  horse 
and  trotted  away. 


270  RUPERT    OP    HENTZAU. 

"  You  sec,"  remarked  Sapt,  •*  that  your 
story  is  quite  imaginary.  For  that  fellow  can 
see  for  himself  that  the  lodge  was  not  burnt 
down  last  night." 

**  That 's  true  ;   but  excuse  me,  sir *' 

"  Pray  go  on,  James.  I  've  told  you  that 
I  'm  interested." 

"  He  can't  see  that  it  won't  be  burnt  down 
to-night.  A  fire,  sir,  is  a  thing  that  may 
happen  any  night." 

Then  old  Sapt  suddenly  burst  into  a  roar, 
half- speech,  half-laughter. 

**  By  God,  what  a  thing  ! "  he  roared;  and 
James  smiled  complacently. 

"There's  a  fate  about  it,"  said  the  Con- 
stable. **  There 's  a  strange  fate  about  it. 
The  man  was  born  to  it.  We  'd  have  done 
it  before  if  Michael  had  throttled  the  King 
in  that  cellar,  as  I  thought  he  would.  Yes, 
by  heavens,  we  'd  have  done  it  !  Why,  we 
wanted  it  I  God  forgive  us,  in  our  hearts 
both  Fritz  and  I  wanted  it.  But  Rudolf 
would  have  the  King  out.  He  would  have 
him  out,  though  he  lost  a  throne — and  what 
he  wanted  more — by  it.  But  he  would  have 
him  out.  So  he  thwarted  the  fate.  But 
it 's  not  to  be  thwarted.  Young  Rupert  may 
think  this  new  affair  is  his  doing.  No,  it's 
the  fate  using  him.  The  fate  brought 
Rudolf  here  again,  the  fate  will  have  him 
King.  Well,  you  stare  at  me.  Do  you 
think   I  'm   mad,    Mr.   Valet  ? " 


A   PASTIME   FOR   COLONEL   SAPT.         271 

"  I  think,  sir,  that  you  talk  very  good 
sense,  if  I  may  say  so,"  answered  James. 

"Sense?"  echoed  Sapt,  with  a  chuckle. 
**  I  don't  know  about  that.  But  the  fate 's 
there,  depend  on  it  ! " 

The  two  were  back  in  their  little  room 
now,  past  the  door  that  hid  the  bodies  of 
the  King  and  his  huntsman.  James  stood 
by  the  table,  old  Sapt  roamed  up  and  down, 
tugging  his  moustache  and  now  and  again 
sawing  the  air  with  his  sturdy  hairy  hand. 

**  I  daren't  do  it,"  he  muttered  :  ♦•  I  daren't 
do  it.  It's  a  thing  a  man  can't  set  his 
hand  to  of  his  own  will.  But  the  fate '11 
do  it— the  fate '11  do  it.  The  fate '11  force  it 
on  us." 

**  Then  we  'd  best  be  ready,  sir,"  suggested 
James  quietly. 

Sapt  turned  on  him  quickly,  almost  fiercely. 

**  They  used  to  call  me  a  cool  hand,"  said 
he.      **  By  Jove,  what  are  you  ?  " 

"  There 's  no  harm  in  being  ready,  sir," 
said  James  the  servant. 

Sapt  came  to  him  and  caught  hold  of  his 
shoulders. 

*♦  Ready  ?  "  he  asked  in  a  gruff  whisper. 

"  The  oil,  the  firewood,  the  light,"  said 
James. 

"  Where,  man,  where  ?  Do  you  mean  by 
the  bodies  ?  " 

*•  Not  where  the  bodies  are  now.  Each 
must  be  in  the  proper  place." 


272  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


tt 


"  We  must  move  them,  then  ? 

"  Why,  yes.     And  the  dog  too.' 

Sapt  almost  glared  at  him  ;  then  he  burst 
into  a  laugh. 

"  So  be  it,"  he  said.  **  You  take  command. 
Yes,  we'll  be  ready.     The  fate  drives." 

Then  and  there  they  set  about  what  they 
had  to  do.  It  seemed  indeed  as  though  some 
strange  influence  were  dominating  Sapt ;  he 
went  about  the  work  like  a  man  who  is 
hardly  awake.  They  placed  the  bodies  each 
where  the  living  man  would  be  by  night — ^the 
King  in  the  guest-room,  the  huntsman  in  the 
sort  of  cupboard  where  the  honest  fellow  had 
been  wont  to  lie.  They  dug  up  the  buried 
dog,  Sapt  chuckling  convulsively,  James  grave 
as  the  mute  whose  grim  doings  he  seemed 
to  travesty :  they  carried  the  shot-pierced 
earth -grimed  thing  in,  and  laid  it  in  the 
King's  room.  Then  they  made  their  piles 
of  wood,  pouring  the  store  of  oil  over  them 
and  setting  bottles  of  spirits  near,  that  the 
flames,  having  cracked  the  bottles,  might  gain 
fresh  fuel.  To  Sapt  it  seemed  now  as  if 
they  played  some  foolish  game  that  was  to 
end  with  the  playing,  now  as  if  they  obeyed 
some  mysterious  power  which  kept  its  great 
purpose  hidden  from  the  instruments.  Mr. 
Rassendyll's  servant  moved  and  arranged  and 
ordered  all  as  deftly  as  he  folded  his  master's 
clothes  or  stropped  his  master's  razor.  Old 
Sapt  stopped  him  once  as  he  went  by. 


A   PASTIME   FOR   COLONEL   SAPT.         273 

**  Don't  think  me  a  mad  fool,  because  I 
talk  of   the  fate,"  he   said,  almost  anxiously. 

"Not  I,  sir,"  answered  James  ;  **  I  know 
nothing  of   that.     But  I  like  to  be  ready." 

*'  It  would  be  a  thing !  "  muttered   Sapt. 

The  mockery,  real  or  assumed,  in  which 
they  had  begun  their  work  had  vanished 
now.  If  they  were  not  serious,  they  played 
at  seriousness.  If  they  entertained  no 
intention  such  as  their  acts  seemed  to 
indicate,  they  could  no  longer  deny  that 
they  cherished  a  hope.  They  shrank,  or  at 
least  Sapt  shrank,  from  setting  such  a  ball 
rolling;  but  they  longed  for  the  fate  that 
would  give  it  a  kick,  and  they  made  smooth 
the  incline  down  which  it,  when  thus  im- 
pelled, was  to  run.  When  they  had  finished 
their  task  and  sat  down  again  opposite  to 
one  another  in  the  little  front  room,  the 
whole  scheme  was  ready,  the  preparations 
were  made,  all  was  in  train ;  they  waited 
only  for  that  impulse  from  chance  or  fate 
which  was  to  turn  the  servant's  story  into 
reality  and  action.  And  when  the  thing  was 
done,  Sapt's  coolness,  so  rarely  upset,  yet 
so  completely  beaten  by  the  force  of  that 
wild  idea,  came  back  to  him.  He  lit  his 
pipe  again  and  lay  back  in  his  chair,  puffing 
freely,  with  a  meditative  look  on  his  face. 

"It's  two  o'clock,  sir,"  said  James. 
**  Something  should  have  happened  before 
now   in   Strelsau." 

x8 


274  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

*'Ah,  but  what?"  asked  the  Constable. 

Suddenly  breaking  on  their  ears  came  a 
loud  knock  at  the  door.  Absorbed  in  their 
own  thoughts,  they  had  not  noticed  two  men 
riding  up  to  the  lodge.  The  visitors  wore 
the  green  and  gold  of  the  King's  hunts- 
men ;  the  one  who  had  knocked  was  Simon, 
the  chief  huntsman,  and  brother  of  Herbert 
who  lay   dead  in  the  little   room   inside. 

"  Rather  dangerous  !  "  muttered  the  Con- 
stable of  Zenda  as  he  hurried  to  the  door, 
James  following  him. 

Simon  was  astonished  when  Sapt  opened 
the   door. 

"  Beg  pardon,  Constable,  but  I  want  to 
see  Herbert.  Can  I  go  in  ? "  And  he 
jumped  down  from  his  horse,  throwing  the 
reins  to  his  companion. 

"  What 's  the  good  of  your  going  in  ?  '* 
asked   Sapt.     "Herbert's  not  here." 

"Not  here  ?     Then  where   is  he  ?  " 

"Why,  he  went  with  the  King  this 
morning." 

"Oh,  he  went  with  the  King,  sir?  Then 
he's   in   Strelsau,  I   suppose?" 

"If  you  know  that,  Simon,  you're  wiser 
than   I   am." 

"  But  the   King  is  in   Strelsau,   sir." 

"  The  deuce  he  is !  He  said  nothing  of 
going  to  Strelsau.  He  rose  early  and  rode 
off  with  Herbert,  merely  saying  they  would 
be  back  to-night." 


A   PASTIME   FOR   COLONEL   SAPT.         275 

"  He  went  to  Strelsau,  sir.  I  am  just 
from  Zenda,  and  His  Majesty  is  known  to 
have  been  in  town  with  the  Queen.  They 
were   both  at  Count   Fritz's." 

*♦  I  'm  much  interested  to  hear  it.  But  didn't 
the  telegram  say  where  Herbert  was?  " 

Simon  laughed. 

♦«  Herbert 's  not  a  king,  you  see,"  he  said. 
"Well,  I'll  come  again  to-morrow  morning, 
for  I  must  see  him  soon.  He  '11  be  back  by 
then,   sir?" 

"Yes,  Simon,  your  brother  will  be  here 
to-morrow  morning." 

**Or  what's  left  of  him  after  such  a  two 
days  of  work,"  suggested  Simon  jocularly. 

•♦Why,  yes,  precisely,"  said  Sapt,  biting 
his  moustache  and  darting  one  swift  glance 
at  James.  **Or  what's  left  of  him,  as  you 
say." 

"And  I'll  bring  a  cart  and  carry  the  boar 
down  to  the  Castle  at  the  same  time,  sir.  At 
least  I  suppose  you  haven't  eaten  it  all  ?  " 

Sapt  laughed;  Simon  was  gratified  at  the 
tribute,  and  laughed  even  more  heartily 
himself. 

"  We  haven't  even  cooked  it  yet,"  said 
Sapt,  "but  I  won't  answer  for  it  that  we 
shan't  have  by  to-morrow." 

"All  right,  sir;  I'll  be  here.  By  the 
way,  there's  another  bit  of  news  come  on 
the  wires.  They  say  Count  Rupert  of 
Hentzau  has  been  seen  in  the  city#" 


276  RUPERT   OF    HENTZAU. 

"Rupert  of  Hcntzau?  Oh,  pooh!  Nonsense, 
my  good  Simon.  He  daren't  show  his  face 
there  for  his  life." 

"Ah,  but  it  may  be  no  nonsense.  Perhaps 
that 'a  what  took  the   King  to  Strelsau." 

**  It 's  enough  to  take  him  if  it 's  true," 
admitted  Sapt. 

"Well,  good-day,  sir." 

«« Good-day,  Simon." 

The  two  huntsmen  rode  off.  James  watched 
them  for  a  little  while. 

"The  King,"  he  said  then,  "is  known  to 
be  in  Strelsau ;  and  now  Count  Rupert  is 
known  to  be  in  Strelsau.  How  is  Count 
Rupert  to  have  killed  the  King  here  in  the 
forest    of  Zenda,  sir  ?  " 

Sapt  looked  at  him  almost  apprehensively. 

"  How  is  the  King's  body  to  come  to  the 
forest  of  Zenda?"  asked  James.  "Or  how  is 
the  King's  body  to  go  to  the  city  of  Strelsau?" 

"  Stop  your  damned  riddles !  "  roared  Sapt. 
"Man,  are  you  bent  on  driving  me  into  it?" 

The  servant  came  near  to  him,  and  laid  a 
hand  on  his  shoulder. 

"  You  went  into  as  great  a  thing  once 
before,  sir,"  said  he. 

"  It  was  to  save  the  King." 

"And  this  is  to  save  the  Queen  and  your- 
self. For  if  we  don't  do  it,  the  truth  about 
my  master  must  be  known." 

Sapt  made  him  no  answer.  They  sat 
down    again    in   silence.       There    they    sat. 


A   PASTIME    FOR   COLONEL   SAPT.         277 

sometimes  smoking,  never  speaking,  while 
the  tedious  afternoon  wore  away  and  the 
shadows  from  the  trees  of  the  forest 
lengthened.  They  did  not  think  of  eating  or 
drinking ;  they  did  not  move,  save  when 
James  rose  and  lit  a  little  fire  of  brushwood 
in  the  grate.  It  grew  dusk,  and  again  James 
moved  to  light  the  lamp.  It  was  hard  on 
six  o'clock,  and  still  no  news  came  from 
Strelsau. 

Then  there  was  the  sound  of  a  horse's 
hoofs.  The  two  rushed  to  the  door,  beyond 
it,  and  far  along  the  grassy  road  that  gave 
approach  to  the  hunting-lodge.  They  forgot 
to  guard  the  secret,  and  the  door  gaped 
open  behind  them.  Sapt  ran  as  he  had  not 
run  for  many  a  day,  and  outstripped  his 
companion.  There  was  a  message  from 
Strelsau ! 

The  Constable,  without  a  word  of  greeting, 
snatched  the  envelope  from  the  hand  of  the 
messenger  and  tore  it  open.  He  read  it 
hastily,  muttering  under  his  breath  "Good 
God ! "  Then  he  turned  suddenly  round 
and  began  to  walk  quickly  back  to  James, 
who,  seeing  himself  beaten  in  the  race,  had 
dropped  to  a  walk.  But  the  messenger  had 
his  cares  as  well  as  the  Constable.  If  the 
Constable's  thoughts  were  on  a  crown,  so 
were  his.    He  called  out  in  indignant  protest : 

••  I  'vc  never  drawn  rein  since  Hof bau, 
sir.     Am  I   not  to  have  my  crowo? " 


278  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Sapt  stopped,  turned,  and  retraced  his 
steps.  He  took  a  crown  from  his  pocket. 
As  he  looked  up  in  giving  it,  there  was  a 
queer  smile  on  his  broad  weather-beaten 
face. 

"Aye,"  he  said,  "every  man  that  deserves 
a  crown  shall  have  one,  if  I  can  give  it 
him." 

Then  he  turned  again  to  James,  who  had 
now  come  up,  and  laid  his  hand  on  his 
shoulder. 

"Come  along,   my  king-maker,"  said  he. 

James  looked  in  his  face  for  a  moment. 
The  Constable's  eyes  met  his,  and  the 
Constable  nodded. 

So  they  turned  to  the  lodge  where  the 
dead  king  and  his  huntsman  lay.  Verily  the 
fate  drove. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 
A    CROWD    IN    THE    KONIGSTRASSE. 

THE  project  that  had  taken  shape  in  the 
thoughts  of  Mr.  Rassendyll's  servant, 
and  had  inflamed  Sapt's  daring  mind 
as  the  dropping  of  a  spark  kindles  dry 
shavings,  had  suggested  itself  vaguely  to 
more  than  one  of  us  in  Strelsau.  "We  did 
not  indeed  coolly  face  and  plan  it,  as  the 
little  servant  had,  nor  seize  on  it  at  once 
with  an  eagerness  to  be  convinced  of  its 
necessity,  like  the  Constable  of  Zenda;  but 
it  was  there  in  my  mind,  sometimes  figuring 
as  a  dread,  sometimes  as  a  hope,  now  seeming 
the  one  thing  to  be  avoided,  again  the  only 
resource  against  a  more  disastrous  issue.  I 
knew  that  it  was  in  Bernenstein's  thoughts  no 
less  than  in  my  own ;  for  neither  of  us  had 
been  able  to  form  any  reasonable  scheme  by 
which  the  living  king,  whom  half  Strelsau  now 
knew  to  be  in  the  city,  could  be  spirited  away, 
and  the  dead  king  set  in  his  place.  The  change 
could  take  place,  as  it  seemed,  only  in  one  way 
and  at  one  cost ;  the  truth,  or  the  better  part 
of  it,  must  be  told,  and  every  tongue  set 
wagging  with  gossip  and  guesses  concerning 
Rudolf  Rassendyll  and  his  relations  with  the 


279 


28o  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Queen.  Who  that  knows  what  men  and 
women  are  would  not  have  shrunk  from  that 
alternative  ?  To  adopt  it  was  to  expose  the 
Queen  to  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  peril  she  had 
run  by  the  loss  of  the  letter.  We  indeed 
assumed,  influenced  by  Rudolf's  unhesitating 
self-confidence,  that  the  letter  would  be  won 
back,  and  the  mouth  of  Rupert  of  Hentzau 
shut ;  but  enough  would  remain  to  furnish 
material  for  eager  talk  and  conjectures  un- 
restrained by  respect  or  charity.  Therefore, 
alive  as  we  were  to  its  difficulties  and  its 
unending  risks,  we  yet  conceived  of  the  thing 
as  possible,  had  it  in  our  hearts,  and  hinted  it 
to  one  another — my  wife  to  me,  I  to  Bernen- 
stein,  and  he  to  me — in  quick  glances  and 
half  -  uttered  sentences  that  declared  its 
presence  while  shunning  the  open  confession 
of  it.  For  the  Queen  herself  I  cannot  speak. 
Her  thoughts,  as  I  judged  them,  were  bounded 
by  the  longing  to  see  Mr.  Rassendyll  again, 
and  dwelt  on  the  visit  that  he  promised 
as  the  horizon  of  hope.  To  Rudolf  we  had 
dared  to  disclose  nothing  of  the  part  our 
imaginations  set  him  to  play ;  if  he  were  to 
accept  it,  the  acceptance  would  be  of  his  own 
act,  beaause  the  fate  that  old  Sapt  talked  of 
drove  him,  and  on  no  persuasion  of  ours. 
As  he  had  said,  he  left  the  rest,  and  had 
centred  all  his  efforts  on  the  immediate  task 
which  fell  to  his  hand  to  perform,  the  task 
that  was  to  be  accomplished  at  the  dingy  old 


A    CROWD  IN    THE   KONIGSTRASSE.       281 

house  in  the  Konigstrasse.  Wc  were  fully 
awake  to  the  fact  that  even  Rupert's  death 
would  not  make  the  secret  safe.  Rischcn- 
heim,  although  for  a  moment  a  prisoner 
and  helpless,  was  alive  and  could  not  be 
mewed  up  for  ever;  Bauer  was  we  knew 
not  where,  free  to  act  and  free  to  talk. 
Yet  in  our  hearts  we  feared  none  but  Rupert, 
and  the  doubt  was  not  whether  we  could 
do  the  thing  so  much  as  whether  wc 
should.  For  in  moments  of  excitement  and 
intense  feeling  a  man  makes  light  of  ob- 
stacles which  look  large  enough  as  he  turns 
reflective  eyes  on  them  in  the  quiet  of 
after  days. 

A  message  in  the  King's  name  had  per- 
suaded the  best  part  of  the  idle  crowd  to 
disperse  reluctantly.  Rudolf  himself  had 
entered  one  of  my  carriages  and  driven  off. 
He  started,  not  towards  the  Konigstrasse, 
but  in  the  opposite  direction :  I  supposed 
that  he  meant  to  approach  his  destination  by 
a  circuitous  way,  hoping  to  gain  it  without 
attracting  notice.  The  Queen's  carriage  was 
still  before  my  door,  for  it  had  been  arranged 
that  she  was  to  proceed  to  the  palace  and 
await  tidings  there.  My  wife  and  I  were 
to  accompany  her ;  and  I  went  to  her  now, 
where  she  sat  alone,  and  asked  if  it  were 
her  pleasure  to  start  at  once.  I  found  her 
thoughtful  but  calm.  She  listened  to  me; 
then,  rising,  she  said,  "  Yes,  I  will  go."     But 


282  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

then  she  asked  suddenly,  "Where  is  the 
Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  ?  " 

I  told  her  how  Bernenstein  kept  guard  over 
the  Count  in  the  room  at  the  back  of  the 
house.  She  seemed  to  consider  for  a  moment, 
then  she  said,  *'  I  will  see  him.  Go  and 
bring  him  to  me.  You  must  be  here  while 
I  talk  to  him,  but  nobody  else." 

I  did  not  know  what  she  intended,  but  I 
saw  no  reason  to  oppose  her  wishes,  and  I 
was  glad  to  find  for  her  any  means  of  em- 
ploying this  time  of  suspense.  I  obeyed  her 
commands  and  brought  Rischenheim  to  her. 
He  followed  me  slowly  and  reluctantly;  his 
unstable  mind  had  again  jumped  from  rash- 
ness to  despondency:  he  was  pale  and  uneasy, 
and,  when  he  found  himself  in  her  presence, 
the  bravado  of  his  bearing,  maintained  before 
Bernenstein,  gave  place  to  a  shamefaced 
suUenness.  He  could  not  meet  the  grave 
eyes  that  she  fixed  on  him. 

I  withdrew  to  the  farther  end  of  the  room ; 
but  it  was  small,  and  I  heard  all  that  passed. 
I  had  my  revolver  ready  to  cover  Rischen- 
heim in  case  he  should  be  moved  to  make  a 
dash  for  liberty.  But  he  was  past  that ; 
Rupert's  presence  was  a  tonic  that  nerved 
him  to  effort  and  confidence,  but  the  force 
of  the  last  dose  was  gone  and  the  man  had 
sunk  again  to  his  natural  irresolution. 

«*  My  lord,"  she  began  gently,  motioning 
him  to  sit,  "I  have  desired  to  speak  with  you, 


A   CROWD   IN    THE   KONIGSTRASSE.       283 

because  I  do  not  wish  a  gentleman  of  your 
rank  to  think  too  much  evil  of  his  Queen. 
Heaven  has  willed  that  my  secret  should  be 
to  you  no  secret,  and  therefore  I  may  speak 
plainly.  You  may  say  my  own  shame  should 
silence  me ;  I  speak  to  lessen  my  shame  in 
your  eyes,  if  I  can." 

Rischenheim  looked  up  with  a  dull  gaze, 
not  understanding  her  mood.  He  had  ex- 
pected reproaches,  and  met  low  -  voiced 
apology. 

"And  yet,"  she  went  on,  **it  is  because  of 
me  that  the  King  lies  dead  now ;  and  a 
faithful  humble  fellow  also,  caught  in  the  net 
of  my  unhappy  fortunes,  has  given  his  life 
for  me  though  he  didn't  know  it.  Even  while 
we  speak,  it  may  be  that  a  gentleman,  not 
too  old  yet  to  learn  nobility,  may  be  killed 
in  my  quarrel;  while  another,  whom  I  alone 
of  all  that  know  him  may  not  praise,  carries 
his  life  lightly  in  his  hand  for  me.  And  to 
you,  my  lord,  I  have  done  the  wrong  of 
dressing  a  harsh  deed  in  some  cloak  of 
excuse,  making  you  seem  to  serve  the  King 
in  working  my  punishment." 

Rischenheim's  eyes  fell  to  the  ground,  and 
he  twisted  his  hands  nervously  in  and  out, 
the  one  about  the  other.  I  took  my  hand 
from  my  revolver :   he  would  not  move  now. 

**  I  don't  know,"  she  went  on,  now  almost 
dreamily,  and  as  though  she  spoke  more  to 
herself  than   to  him,  or  had  even  forgotten 


284  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

his  presence,  "what  end  in  Heaven's  counsel 
my  great  unhappiness  has  served.  Perhaps 
I,  who  have  place  above  most  women,  must 
also  be  tried  above  most ;  and  in  that  trial  I 
have  failed.  Yet,  when  I  weigh  my  misery 
and  my  temptation,  to  my  human  eyes  it 
Stems  that  I  have  not  failed  greatly.  My 
heart  is  not  yet  humbled,  God's  work  not  yet 
done.  But  the  guilt  of  blood  is  on  my  soul — 
even  the  face  of  my  dear  love  I  can  see  now 
only  through  its  scarlet  mist ;  so  that  if  what 
seemed  my  perfect  joy  were  now  granted 
me,  it  would  come  spoilt  and  stained  and 
blotched." 

She  paused,  fixing  her  eyes  on  him  again; 
but  he  neither  spoke  nor  moved. 

**  You  knew  my  sin,"  she  said,  "the  sin 
so  great  in  my  heart;  and  you  knew  how 
little  my  acts  yielded  to  it.  Did  you  think, 
my  lord,  that  the  sin  had  no  punishment, 
that  you  took  it  in  hand  to  add  shame  to 
my  sufTering  ?  Was  Heaven  so  kind  that 
men  must  temper  its  indulgence  by  their 
severity  ?  Yet  I  know  that  because  I  was 
wrong,  you,  being  wrong,  might  seem  to 
yourself  not  wrong,  and  in  aiding  your  kins- 
man might  plead  that  you  served  the  King's 
honour.  Thus,  my  lord,  I  was  the  cause  in 
you  of  a  deed  that  your  heart  could  not 
welcome  nor  your  honour  praise.  I  thank 
Cod  that  you  have  come  to  no  more  hurt 
by  it/' 


A    CROWD    IN    THE    KONIGSTRASSE.       285 

Rischenheim  began  to  mutter  in  a  low 
thick  voice,    his   eyes   still   cast   down : 

**  Rupert  persuaded  me.  He  said  the  King 
would    be    very    grateful,    and  —  would    give 

me "     His  voice   died  away,  and    he   sat 

silent  again,  twisting  his  hands. 

*•  I  know — I  know,"  she  said.  **  But  you 
wouldn't  have  listened  to  such  persuasions  if 
my  fault  hadn't  blinded  your  eyes." 

She  turned  suddenly  to  me,  who  had  been 
standing  all  the  time  aloof,  and  stretched  out 
her  hands  towards  me,  her  eyes  filled  with 
tears. 

"Yet,"  said  she,  "your  wife  knows,  and 
still  loves  me,  Fritz." 

**  She  would  be  no  wife  of  mine,  if  she 
didn't,"  I  cried.  **  For  I  and  all  of  mine  ask 
no  better  than  to  die  for  Your  Majesty." 

**  She  knows,  and  yet  she  loves  me," 
repeated  the  Queen.  I  loved  to  see  that 
she  seemed  to  find  comfort  in  Helga's 
love.  It  is  women  to  whom  women 
turn,  and  women  whom  women  fear. 
"  But  Helga  writes  no  letters,"  said  the 
Queen. 

"Why,  no,"  said  I,  and  I  smiled  a  grim 
smile.  Well,  Rudolf  Rassendyll  had  never 
wooed  my  wife. 

She  rose,  saying : 

"  Come,  let   us   go   to   the  palace." 

As  she  rose,  Rischenheim  made  a  quick 
impulsive  step  towards  her. 


286  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

*'  Well,  my  lord,"  said  she,  turning  towards 
him,  "will  you  too  go  with  me?" 

•*  Lieutenant    von     Bernenstein    will    take 

care "    I    began.      But    I    stopped.      The 

slightest  gesture  of  her  hand  silenced  me. 

**  Will  you  go  with  me  ?  "  she  asked  Ris- 
chenheim  again. 

*•  Madame,"  he  stammered,  "Madame " 

She  waited.  I  waited  also,  although  I  had 
no  great  patience  with  him.  Suddenly  he 
fell  on  his  knee,  but  he  did  not  venture  to 
take  her  hand.  Of  her  own  accord  she  came 
and   stretched   it   out  to   him,  saying   sadly : 

**  Ah,  that  by  forgiving  I  could  win  for- 
giveness !  " 

Rischenhcim  caught  at  her  hand  and  kissed 
it. 

**It  was  not  I,"  I  heard  him  mutter. 
"Rupert  set  me  on,  and  I  couldn't  stand 
out  against  him." 

"Will  you  go  with  me  to  the  palace?" 
she  asked,  drawing  her  hand  away,  but 
smiling. 

"The  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim,"  I 
made  bold  to  observe,  "  knows  some  things 
that  most  people  do  not  know,  madame." 

She  turned  on  me  with  dignity,  almost  with 
displeasure. 

"  The  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  may  be 
trusted  to  be  silent,"  she  said.  "We  ask 
him  to  do  nothing  against  his  cousin.  We 
ask  only  his  silence." 


A   CROWD   IN    THE   KONIGSTRASSE.       287 

"Aye,"  said  I,  braving  her  anger,  "but 
what  security  shall  we  have?" 

"  His  word  of  honour,  my  lord."  I  knew 
that  a  rebuke  to  my  presumption  lay  in  her 
calling  mc  "  my  lord,"  for,  save  on  formal 
occasions,  she  always  used  to  call  me  Fritz. 

"His  word  of  honour!"  I  grumbled.  "In 
truth,  madame " 

"  He  's  right,"  said  Rischenheim  :  "  he 's 
right." 

"  No,  he's  wrong,"  said  the  Queen,  smiling. 
"  The  Count  will  keep  his  word,  given  to 
me." 

Rischenheim  looked  at  her  and  seemed  about 
to  address  her,  but  then  he  turned  to  me 
and  said  in  a  low  tone : 

"By  heaven,  I  will,  Tarlenheim.  I'll  serve 
her  in  everything." 

"My  lord,"  said  she  most  graciously,  and 
yet  most  sadly,  "you  lighten  the  burden  on 
me  no  less  by  your  help  than  because  I  no 
longer  feel  your  honour  stained  through  me. 
Come,  we  will  go  to  the  palace."  And  she 
went  to  him,  saying,  "  We  will  go  together." 

There  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  trust  him. 
I  knew  that  I  could  not  turn  her. 

"Then  I'll  sec  if  the  carriage  is  ready," 
said  I. 

"  Yes,  do,  Fritz,"  said  the  Queen.  But 
as  I  passed  she  stopped  me  for  a  moment, 
saying  in  a  whisper,  "  Show  that  you  trust 
him." 


288  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

I  went  and  held  out  my  hand  to  him.  He 
took  and  pressed  it. 

"On  my  honour,"  he  said. 

Then  I  went  out,  and  found  Bernenstein 
sitting  on  a  bench  in  the  hall.  The  Lieutenant 
was  a  diligent  and  watchful  young  man ;  he 
appeared  to  be  examining  his  revolver  with 
sedulous  care. 

"You  can  put  that  away,"  said  I  rather 
peevishly — I  had  not  fancied  shaking  hands 
with  Rischenheim.  "  He's  not  a  prisoner 
any  longer.     He's  one  of  us  now." 

"  The  deuce  he  is  ! "  cried  Bernenstein, 
springing  to  his  feet. 

I  told  him  briefly  what  had  happened,  and 
how  the  Queen  had  won  Rupert's  instrument 
to  be  her  servant. 

"I  suppose  he'll  stick  to  it,"  I  ended;  and 
I  thought  he  would,  though  I  was  not  eager 
for  his  help. 

A  light  gleamed  in  Bernenstein's  eyes,  and 
I  felt  a  tremble  in  the  hand  that  he  laid  on 
my  shoulder. 

"Then  there's  only  Bauer  now,"  he  whis- 
pered. "  If  Rischenheim 's  with  us,  only 
Bauer !  " 

I  knew  very  well  what  he  meant.  With 
Rischenheim  silent,  Bauer  was  the  only  man, 
save  Rupert  himself,  who  knew  the  truth,  the 
only  man  who  threatened  that  great  scheme 
which  more  and  more  filled  our  thoughts  and 
grew  upon  us  with    an    increasing    force   of 


A  CROWD   IN   THE    KONIGSTRASSE.       289 

attraction  as  every  obstacle  to  it  seemed  to 
be  cleared  out  of  the  way.  But  I  would  not 
look  at  Bernenstein,  fearing  to  acknowledge 
even  with  my  eyes  how  my  mind  jumped  with 
his.  He  was  bolder,  or  less  scrupulous — 
which  you  will. 

"Yes,  if  we  can  shut  Bauer's  mouth " 

he  went  on. 

"The  Queen's  waiting  for  the  carriage,"  I 
interrupted  snappishly. 

"  Ah,  yes,  of  course,  the  carriage,"  and  he 
twisted  me  round  till  I  was  forced  to  look  him 
in  the  face.  Then  he  smiled  and  even  laughed 
a  little.     "  Only  Bauer  now !  "  said  he. 

"And  Rupert,"  I  remarked  sourly. 

"Oh,  Rupert's  dead  bones  by  now,"  he 
chuckled,  and  with  that  he  went  out  of  the 
hall  door  and  announced  the  Queen's  approach 
to  her  servants.  It  must  be  said  for  young 
Bernenstein  that  he  was  a  cheerful  fellow- 
conspirator.  His  equanimity  almost  matched 
Rudolf's  own  ;  I  could  not  rival  it  myself. 

I  drove  to  the  palace  with  the  Queen  and 
my  wife,  the  other  two  following  in  a  second 
carriage.  I  do  not  know  what  they  said  to 
one  another  on  the  way,  but  Bernenstein 
was  civil  enough  to  his  companion  when  I 
rejoined  them.  With  us  my  wife  was  the 
principal  speaker:  she  filled  up,  from  what 
Rudolf  had  told  her,  the  gaps  in  our  know- 
ledge of  how  he  had  spent  his  night  in 
Strelsau,   and    by    the  time  we    arrived    we 

»9 


290  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

were  fully  informed  in  every  detail.  The 
Queen  said  little.  The  impulse  which  had 
dictated  her  appeal  to  Rischenheim  and 
carried  her  through  it  seemed  to  have  died 
away ;  she  had  become  again  subject  to  fears 
and  apprehension.  I  saw  her  uneasiness 
when  she  suddenly  put  out  her  hand  and 
touched  mine,  whispering: 
**  He  must  be  at  the  house  by  now." 
Our  way  did  not  lie  by  the  house,  and  we 
came  to  the  palace  without  any  news  of  our 
absent  chief  (so  I  call  him — as  such  we  all, 
from  the  Queen  herself,  then  regarded  him). 
She  did  not  speak  of  him  again  ;  but  her 
eyes  seemed  to  follow  me  about  as  though 
she  were  silently  asking  some  service  of 
me  ;  what  it  was  I  could  not  understand. 
Bernenstein  had  disappeared,  and  the  re- 
pentant Count  with  him  :  knowing  they 
were  together,  I  was  in  no  uneasiness  ; 
Bernenstein  would  see  that  his  companion 
contrived  no  treachery.  But  I  was  puzzled 
by  the  Queen's  tacit  appeal.  And  I  was 
myself  on  fire  for  news  from  the  Konig- 
strasse.  It  was  now  two  hours  since  Rudolf 
Rassendyll  had  left  us,  and  no  word  had 
come  of  him  or  from  him.  At  last  I  could 
bear  it  no  longer.  The  Queen  was  sitting 
with  her  hand  in  my  wife's ;  I  had  been 
seated  on  the  other  side  of  the  room,  for 
I  thought  that  they  might  wish  to  talk  to  one 
another ;   yet  I  had  not  seen  them  exchange 


A   CROWD    IN   THE    K^NIGSTRASSE.       291 

a  word.  I  rose  abruptly  and  crossed  the 
room  to  where  they  were. 

"  Have  you  need  of  my  presence,  madame, 
or  have  I  your  permission  to  be  away  for  a 
time  ?  "   I  asked. 

"Where  do  you  wish  to  go,  Fritz?"  the 
Queen  asked  with  a  httle  start,  as  though  I 
had  come  suddenly  across  her  thoughts. 

"To  the  Konigstrasse,"  said  I. 

To  my  surprise  she  rose  and  caught  my 
hand. 

"  God  bless  you,  Fritz  !  "  she  cried.  "  I 
don't  think  I  could  have  endured  it  longer. 
But  I  wouldn't  ask  you  to  go.  But  go,  my 
dear  friend,  go  and  bring  me  news  of  him. 
Oh,  Fritz,  I  seem  to  dream  that  dream 
again  ! " 

My  wife  looked  up  at  me  with  a  brave 
smile  and  a  trembling  lip. 

"Shall  you  go  into  the  house,  Fritz?"  she 
asked. 

"Not  unless  I  see  need,  sweetheart," 
said  I. 

She  came  and  kissed  me. 

"Go  if  you  arc  wanted,"  she  said.  And 
she  tried  to  smile  at  the  Queen,  as  though 
she  risked  me  willingly. 

"  I  could  have  been  such  a  wife,  Fritz," 
whispered  the  Queen.     "Yes,  I  could." 

I  had  nothing  to  say  ;  at  the  moment  I 
might  not  have  been  able  to  say  it  if  I  had. 
There  is  something  in  the  helpless  courage  of 


292  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

women  that  makes  me  feel  soft.  We  can 
work  and  fight ;  they  sit  and  wait.  Yet  they 
do  not  flinch.  Now  I  know  that  if  I  had  to 
sit  and  think  about  the  thing  I  should  turn 
cur. 

Well,  I  went,  leaving  them  there  together. 
I  put  on  plain  clothes  instead  of  my  uniform, 
and  dropped  my  revolver  into  the  pocket  of 
my  coat.  Thus  prepared,  I  slipped  out  and 
made  my  way  on  foot  to  the  Konigstrasse. 

It  was  now  long  past  midday.  Many  folk 
were  still  at  their  dinner  and  the  streets  were 
not  full.  Two  or  three  people  recognised  me, 
but  I  passed  by  most  unnoticed.  There  was 
no  sign  of  stir  or  excitement,  and  the  flags  still 
floated  high  in  the  wind.  Sapt  had  kept  the 
secret :  the  men  of  Strelsau  thought  still  that 
their  King  lived  and  was  among  them.  I  feared 
that  Rudolf's  coming  would  have  been  seen, 
and  expected  to  find  a  crowd  of  people  near 
the  house.  But  when  I  reached  it  there  were 
no  more  than  ten  or  a  dozen  idle  fellows 
lounging  about.  I  began  to  stroll  up  and  down 
with  as  careless  an  air  as  I  could  assume. 

Soon,  however,  there  was  a  change.  The 
workmen  and  business-folk,  their  meal  finished, 
began  to  come  out  of  their  houses  and  from  the 
restaurants.  The  loafers  before  No.  19  spoke 
to  many  of  them.  Some  said  "  Indeed ! ",  shook 
their  heads,  smiled,  and  passed  on :  they  had 
no  time  to  waste  in  staring  at  the  King.  But 
many  waited;  lighting  their  cigars  or  cigarettes 


A  CROWD   IN  THE   KONIGSTRASSE.       293 

or  pipes,  they  stood  gossiping  with  one 
another,  looking  at  their  watches  now  and 
again,  lest  they  should  overstay  their  leisure. 
Thus  the  assembly  grew  to  the  number  of  a 
couple  of  hundred.  I  ceased  my  walk,  for 
the  pavement  was  too  crowded,  and  hung  on 
the  outskirts  of  the  throng.  As  I  loitered 
there,  a  cigar  in  my  mouth,  I  felt  a  hand  on 
my  shoulder.  Turning  round,  I  saw  the 
Lieutenant.  He  was  in  uniform.  By  his  side 
was  Rischenheim. 

**  You  're  here  too,  are  you  ?  "  said  I. 
**  Well,  nothing  seems  to  be  happening,  does 
it?" 

For  No.  19  showed  no  sign  of  life.  The 
shutters  were  up,  the  door  closed ;  the  little 
shop  was  not  open  for  business  that  day. 

Bemenstein  shook  his  head  with  a  smile. 
His  companion  took  no  heed  of  my  remark ; 
he  was  evidently  in  a  state  of  great  agitation, 
and  his  eyes  never  left  the  door  of  the  house. 
I  was  about  to  address  him,  when  my  atten- 
tion was  abruptly  and  completely  diverted 
by  a  glimpse  of  a  head,  caught  across  the 
shoulders  of  the  bystanders. 

The  fellow  whom  I  saw  wore  a  brown 
wideawake  hat.  The  hat  was  pulled  low 
down  over  his  forehead,  but  nevertheless 
beneath  its  rim  there  appeared  a  white 
bandage  running  round  his  head.  I  could 
not  see  the  face,  but  the  bullet- shaped  skull 
was  very  familiar  to  me.    I  was  sure  from 


294  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

the  first  moment  that  the  bandaged  man 
was  Bauer.  Saying  nothing  to  Bernenstein, 
I  began  to  steal  round  outside  the  crowd. 
As  I  went,  I  heard  somebody  saying  that  it 
was  all  nonsense ;  the  King  was  not  there : 
what  should  the  King  do  in  such  a  house  ? 
The  answer  was  a  reference  to  one  of  the 
first  loungers;  he  replied  that  he  did  not 
know  what  the  devil  the  King  did  there,  but 
that  the  King  or  his  double  had  certainly  gone 
in,  and  had  as  certainly  not  yet  come  out 
again.  I  wished  I  could  have  made  myself 
known  to  them  and  persuaded  them  to  go 
away;  but  my  presence  would  have  out- 
weighed my  declarations,  and  been  taken  as 
a  sure  sign  that  the  King  was  in  the  house. 
So  I  kept  on  the  outskirts  and  worked  my 
way  unobtrusively  towards  the  bandaged 
head.  Evidently  Bauer's  hurt  had  not  been 
so  serious  as  to  prevent  him  leaving  the 
infirmary  to  which  the  police  had  carried  him. 
He  was  come  now  to  await,  even  as  I  was 
awaiting,  the  issue  of  Rudolfs  visit  to  the 
house  in  the  Konigstrasse. 

He  had  not  seen  me,  for  he  was  looking 
at  No.  19  as  intently  as  Rischenheim.  Appar- 
ently neither  had  caught  sight  of  the  other, 
or  Rischenheim  would  have  shown  some 
embarrassment,  Bauer  some  excitement.  I 
wormed  my  way  quickly  towards  my  former 
servant.  My  mind  was  full  of  the  idea  of 
getting    hold    of   him.      I    could    not    forget 


A  CROWD   IN    THE   KONIGSTRASSE.       295 

Bemenstein's  remark,  "Only  Bauer  now!". 
If  I  could  secure  Bauer  we  were  safe.  Safe 
in  what  ?  I  did  not  answer  to  myself,  but 
the  old  idea  was  working  in  me.  Safe  in  our 
secret  and  safe  in  our  plan — in  the  plan  on 
which  we  all,  we  here  in  the  city,  and  those 
two  at  the  hunting  -  lodge,  had  set  our  minds ! 
Bauer's  death,  Bauer's  capture,  Bauer's 
silence  however  procured,  would  clear  the 
greatest   hindrance  from  its  way. 

Bauer  stared  intently  at  the  house ;  I  crept 
cautiously  up  behind  him.  His  hand  was  in 
his  trousers*  pocket;  where  the  curve  of  the 
elbow  came  there  was  a  space  between  arm 
and  body.  I  slipped  in  my  left  arm  and 
hooked  it  firmly  inside  his.  He  turned  round 
and  saw  me. 

"Thus  we  meet  again,  Bauer,"  said  I. 

He  was  for  a  moment  flabbergasted,  and 
stared  stupidly  at  me. 

"Are  you  also  hoping  to  see  the  King?" 
I  asked. 

He  began  to  recover  himself.  A  slow  cun- 
ning smile  spread  over  his  face. 

"The  King?"  he  asked. 

"Well,  he's  in  Strelsau,  isn't  he?  Who 
gave  you  the  wound  on  your  head  ?  " 

Bauer  moved  his  arm  as  though  he  meant 
to  withdraw  it  from  my  grasp.  He  found 
himself  tightly  held. 

"Where's  that  bag  of  mine?"  I  asked. 

I    do    not    know    what    he    would     have 


296  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

answered,  for  at  this  instant  there  came  a 
sound  from  behind  the  closed  door  of  the 
house.  It  was  as  if  some  one  ran  rapidly 
and  eagerly  towards  the  door.  Then  came 
an  oath  in  a  shrill  voice,  a  woman's  voice, 
but  harsh  and  rough.  It  was  answered  by 
an  angry  cry  in  a  girl's  intonation.  Full  of 
eagerness,  I  drew  my  arm  from  Bauer's  and 
sprang  forward.  I  heard  a  chuckle  from  him, 
and  turned  round  to  see  his  bandaged  head 
retreating  rapidly  down  the  street.  I  had  no 
time  to  look  to  him  ;  for  now  I  saw  two 
men,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  making  their  way 
through  the  crov/d,  regardless  of  anyone  in 
their  way,  and  paying  no  attention  to  abuse 
or  remonstrances.  They  were  the  Lieutenant 
and  Rischenheim.  Without  a  moment's  hesi- 
tation I  set  myself  to  push  and  battle  a  way 
through,  thinking  to  join  them  in  front.  On 
they  went,  and  on  I  went.  All  gave  place 
oefore  us  in  surly  reluctance  or  frightened 
willingness.  We  three  were  together  in  the 
first  rank  of  the  crowd  when  the  door  of  the 
house  was  flung  open,  and  a  girl  ran  out. 
Her  hair  was  disordered,  her  face  pale,  and 
her  eyes  full  of  alarm.  There  she  stood  on 
the  doorstep,  facing  the  crowd,  which  in  an 
instant  grew  as  if  by  magic  to  three  times  its 
former  size,  and,  little  knowing  what  she  did, 
she  cried  in  the  eager  accents  of  sheer  terror : 
"  Help,  help  !    The  King !    The  King ! " 


CHAPTER    XVII. 
YOUNG   RUPERT   AND   THE   PLAY-ACTOR. 

THERE  rises  often  before  my  mind  the 
picture  of  young  Rupert,  standing 
where  Rischenheim  left  him,  awaiting 
the  return  of  his  messenger  and  watching 
for  some  sign  that  should  declare  to  Strelsau 
the  death  of  its  King  which  his  own  hand 
had  wrought.  His  image  is  one  that  memory 
holds  clear  and  distinct,  though  time  may 
blur  the  shape  of  greater  and  better  men  ; 
and  the  position  in  which  he  was  that 
morning  gives  play  enough  to  the  imagina- 
tion. Save  for  Rischenheim — a  broken  reed 
— and  Bauer,  who  was  gone  none  knew 
where,  he  stood  alone  against  a  kingdom 
which  he  had  robbed  of  its  head  and  a 
band  of  resolute  men  who  would  know 
no  rest  and  no  security  so  long  as  he 
lived.  For  protection  he  had  only  a  quick 
brain,  his  courage,  and  his  secret.  Yet 
he  could  not  fly — he  was  without  resources 
till  his  cousin  furnished  them — and  at  any 
moment  his  opponents  might  find  themselves 
able  to  declare  the  King's  death  and  raise 
the  city  in  hue  and  cry  after  him.  Such 
men  do  not  repent ;   but   it   may  be  that  he 


297 


298  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

regretted  the  enterprise  which  had  led  him 
on  so  far  and  forced  on  him  a  deed  so 
momentous ;  yet  to  those  who  knew  him  it 
seems  more  likely  that  the  smile  broadened 
on  his  firm  full  lips  as  he  looked  down  on 
the  unconscious  city.  Well,  I  daresay  he 
would  have  been  too  much  for  me ;  but  I 
wish  I  had  been  the  man  to  find  him  there. 
He  would  not  have  had  it  so ;  for  I  believe 
that  he  asked  no  better  than  to  cross  swords 
again  with  Rudolf  Rassendyll  and  set  his 
fortunes  on  the  issue. 

Down  below,  the  old  woman  was  cooking 
a  stew  for  her  dinner,  now  and  then  grum- 
bling to  herself  that  the  Count  of  Luzau- 
Rischenheim  was  so  long  away,  and  Bauer, 
the  rascal,  drunk  in  some  pothouse.  The 
kitchen  door  stood  open,  and  through  it 
could  be  seen  the  girl  Rosa,  busily  scrubbing 
the  tiled  floor ;  her  colour  was  high  and  her 
eyes  bright ;  from  time  to  time  she  paused 
in  her  task,  and,  raising  her  head,  seemed  to 
listen.  The  time  at  which  the  King  needed 
her  was  past,  but  the  King  had  not  come. 
How  little  the  old  woman  knew  for  whom  she 
listened !  All  her  talk  had  been  of  Bauer — 
why  Bauer  did  not  come,  and  what  could  have 
befallen  him.  It  was  grand  to  hold  the  King's 
secret  for  him,  and  she  would  hold  it  with  her 
life  ;  for  he  had  been  kind  and  gracious  to  her, 
and  he  was  her  man  of  all  the  men  in  Strelsau. 
Bauer  was  a  stumpy  fellow ;    the  Count  of 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.  299 

Hcntzau  was  handsome,  handsome  as  the 
devil ;  but  the  King  was  her  man.  And  the 
King  had  trusted  her;  she  would  die  before 
hurt  should  come  to  him. 

There  were  wheels  in  the  street  —  quick- 
rolling  wheels.  They  seemed  to  stop  a  few 
doors  away,  then  to  roll  on  again  past  the 
house.  The  girl's  head  was  raised ;  the  old 
woman,  engrossed  in  her  stew,  took  no 
heed.  The  girl's  straining  ear  caught  a  rapid 
step  outside.  Then  it  came — the  knock,  the 
sharp  knock  followed  by  five  light  ones.  The 
old  woman  heard  now  :  dropping  her  spoon 
into  the  pot,  she  lifted  the  mess  off  the  fire 
and  turned  round,  saying : 

**  There 's  the  rogue  at  last  !  Open  the 
door  for  him,  Rosa." 

Before  she  spoke  Rosa  had  darted  down 
the  passage.  The  door  opened  and  shut 
again.  The  old  v\^oman  waddled  to  the 
threshold  of  the  kitchen.  The  passage  and 
the  shop  were  dark  behind  the  closed  shut- 
ters ;  but  the  figure  by  the  girl's  side  was 
taller  than  Bauer's. 

"  Who  's  there  ?  "  cried  Mother  Holf 
sharply.  "The  shop's  shut  to-day:  you 
can't  come  in." 

*•  But  I  am  in,"  came  the  answer,  and 
Rudolf  stepped  towards  her.  The  girl  fol- 
lowed a  pace  behind,  her  hands  clasped  and 
her  eyes  alight  with  excitement.  "  Don't 
you   know    me  ?  "    asked    Rudolf,    standing 


300  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 


Opposite  the  old  woman  and  smiling  down 
on  her. 

There,  in  the  dim  light  of  the  low-roofed 
passage,  Mother  Holf  was  fairly  puzzled.  She 
knew  the  story  of  Mr.  Rassendyll ;  she  knew 
that  he  was  again  in  Ruritania,  it  was  no 
surprise  to  her  that  he  should  be  in  Strelsau ; 
but  she  did  not  know  that  Rupert  had  killed 
the  King,  and  she  had  not  seen  the  King 
close  at  hand  since  his  illness  and  his  beard 
impaired  what  had  been  a  perfect  likeness.  In 
fine  she  could  not  tell  whether  it  were  indeed 
the  King  who  spoke  to  her  or  his  counterfeit. 

*' Who  are  you  ?  "  she  asked,  curt  and  blunt 
in  her  confusion. 

The  girl  broke  in  with  an  amused  laugh. 

"Why,  it's  the " 

She  paused.  Perhaps  the  King's  identity 
was  a  secret. 

Rudolf  nodded  to  her. 

"Tell  her  who  I  am,"  said  he. 

"Why,  mother,  it's  the  King,"  whispered 
Rosa,  laughing  and  blushing.  "The  King, 
mother." 

"Aye,  if  the  King's  alive,  I'm  the  King," 
said  Rudolf. 

I  suppose  he  wanted  to  find  out  how  much 
the  old  woman  knew. 

She  made  no  answer,  but  stared  up  at  his 
face.  In  her  bewilderment  she  forgot  to  ask 
how  he  had  learnt  the  signal  that  gained  him 
admission. 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.   301 

"  I  've  come  to  see  the  Count  of  Hentzau," 
Rudolf  continued.  "Take  me  to  him  at 
once." 

The  old  woman  was  across  his  path  in  a 
moment,  all  defiant,  arms  akimbo. 

"  Nobody  can  see  the  Count.  He 's  not 
here,"  she  blurted  out. 

*'  What,  can't  the  King  see  him  ?  Not  even 
the  King  ?  " 

"King?"  she  cried,  peering  at  him.  "Are 
you  the  King  ?  " 

Rosa  burst  out  laughing. 

*'  Mother,  you  must  have  seen  the  King  a 
hundred  times,"  she  laughed. 

"  The  King  or  his  ghost — what  docs  it 
matter  ?  "  said  Rudolf  lightly. 

The  old  woman  drew  back  with  an  appear- 
ance of  sudden  alarm. 

"His  ghost?     Is  he ?" 

"  His  ghost  !  "  rang  out  in  the  girl's  merry 
laugh.  "  Why  here 's  the  King  himself, 
mother.  You  don't  look  much  like  a  ghost, 
sir." 

Mother  Holfs  face  was  livid  now,  and  her 
eyes  staring  fixedly.  Perhaps  it  shot  into  her 
brain  that  something  had  happened  to  the 
King,  and  that  this  man  had  come  because  of 
it — this  man  who  was  indeed  the  image,  and 
might  have  been  the  spirit,  of  the  King.  She 
leant  against  the  doorpost,  her  broad  bosom 
heaving  under  her  scanty  stuff  gown.  Yet 
still — was  it  not  the  King? 


30a  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"God  help  us  !  "  she  muttered  in  fear  and 
bewilderment. 

"  He  helps  us,  never  fear,"  said  Rudolf 
Rassendyll.     "V/here  is  Count  Rupert?" 

The  girl  had  caught  alarm  from  her 
mother's   agitation. 

"  He 's  upstairs  in  the  attic  at  the  top  of 
the  house,  sir,"  she  whispered  in  frightened 
tones,  with  a  glance  that  fled  from  her 
mother's  terrified  face  to  Rudolf's  set  eyes 
and  steady  smile. 

What  she  said  was  enough  for  him.  He 
slipped  by  the  old  woman  and  began  to  mount 
the  stairs. 

The  two  watched  him.  Mother  Holf  as 
though  fascinated,  the  girl  alarmed  but  still 
triumphant :  she  had  done  what  the  King 
bade  her.  Rudolf  turned  the  corner  of  the 
first  landing  and  disappeared  from  their  sight. 
The  old  woman,  swearing  and  muttering, 
stumbled  back  into  her  kitchen,  put  her  stew 
on  the  fire,  and  began  to  stir  it,  her  eyes 
set  on  the  flames  and  careless  of  the  pot. 
The  girl  watched  her  mother  for  a  moment, 
wondering  how  she  could  think  of  the  stew, 
not  guessing  that  she  turned  the  spoon  without 
a  thought  of  what  she  did ;  then  she  began 
to  crawl,  quickly  but  noiselessly,  up  the 
staircase  in  the  track  of  Rudolf  Rassendyll. 
She  looked  back  once :  the  old  woman  stirred 
with  a  monotonous  circular  movement  of  her 
fat    arm,      Rosa,   bent   half-double,    skimmed 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.    303 

Upstairs,  till  she  came  in  sight  of  the  King 
whom  she  was  so  proud  to  serve.  He  was 
on  the  top  landing  now,  outside  the  door  of 
the  large  attic  where  Rupert  of  Hentzau  was 
lodged.  She  saw  him  lay  his  hand  on  the 
latch  of  the  door ;  his  other  hand  rested  in  the 
pocket  of  his  coat.  From  the  room  no  sound 
came;  Rupert  may  have  heard  the  step  out- 
side and  stood  motionless  to  listen.  Rudolf 
opened  the  door  and  walked  in.  The  girl 
darted  breathlessly  up  the  remaining  steps, 
and  coming  to  the  door  just  as  it  swung 
back  on  the  latch,  crouched  down  by  it, 
listening  to  what  passed  within,  catching 
glimpses  of  forms  and  movements  through 
the  chinks  of  the  crazy  hinge  and  the  crevices 
where  the  wood  of  the  panel  had  sprung 
and  left  a  narrow  eyehole  for  her  absorbed 
gazing. 

Rupert  of  Hentzau  had  no  thought  of  ghosts ; 
the  men  he  killed  lay  still  where  they  fell,  and 
slept  where  they  were  buried.  And  he  had  no 
wonder  at  the  sight  of  Rudolf  Rassendyll.  It 
told  him  no  more  than  that  Rischenheim's 
errand  had  fallen  out  ill,  at  which  he  was  not 
surprised,  and  that  his  old  enemy  was  again  in 
his  path,  at  which  (as  I  verily  believe)  he  was 
more  glad  than  sorry.  As  Rudolf  entered,  he 
had  been  half-way  between  window  and  table ; 
he  came  forward  to  the  table  now,  and  stood 
leaning  the  points  of  two  fingers  on  the  un- 
polished dirty  wood. 


304  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  Ah,  the  play-actor !  "  said  he,  with  a  gleam 
of  his  teeth  and  a  toss  of  his  curls,  while  his 
second  hand,  like  Mr.  Rassendyll's,  rested  in 
the  pocket  of  his  coat. 

Mr.  Rassendyll  himself  had  confessed  that 
in  old  days  it  went  against  the  grain  with 
him  when  Rupert  called  him  a  play-actor. 
He  was  a  little  older  now,  and  his  temper 
more  difficult  to  stir. 

"Yes,  the  play-actor,"  he  answered,  smiling. 
"  With  a  shorter  part  this  time,  though." 

"What  part  to-day?  Isn't  it  the  old  one, 
the  King  with  a  pasteboard  crown  ?  "  asked 
Rupert,  sitting  down  on  the  table.  "Faith,  we 
shall  do  handsomely  in  Ruritania:  you  have  a 
pasteboard  crown,  and  I  (humble  man  though 
I  am)  have  given  the  other  one  a  heavenly 
crown.  What  a  brave  show  !  But  perhaps 
I  tell  you  news  ?  " 

"  No,  I  know  what  you  Ve  done." 

"I  take  no  credit.  It  was  more  the  dog*s 
doing  than  mine,"  said  Rupert  carelessly. 
"  However  there  it  is,  and  dead  he  is,  and 
there 's  an  end-  of  it.  What 's  your  business, 
play-actor  ?  " 

At  the  repetition  of  this  last  word,  to  her 
so  mysterious,  the  giH  outside  pressed  her 
eyes  more  eagerly  to  the  chink  and  strained 
her  ears  to  listen  more  sedulously.  And  what 
did  the  Count  mean  by  the  "  other  one  " 
and  "a  heavenly  crown"? 

"Why  net  call  me  King?"  asked  Rudolf, 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.  305 

«*They  call  you  that  in  Strelsau  ?" 

"Those  that  know  I'm  here." 

"  And  they  are ?" 

**  Some  few  score." 

**And  thus,"  said  Rupert,  waving  an  arm 
towards  the  window,  "the  town  is  quiet  and 
the  flags  fly." 

'  *  You ' ve  been  waiting  to  see  them  lowered  ? ' ' 

**A  man  likes  to  have  some  notice  taken 
of  what  he  has  done,"  Rupert  complained. 
**  However  I  can  get  them  lowered  when  I 
will." 

"  By  telling  your  news  ?  Would  that  be 
good  for  yourself?" 

'*  Forgive  me — not  that  way.  Since  the 
King  has  two  lives,  it  is  but  in  nature  that 
he  should  have  two  deaths." 

"  And  when  he  has  undergone  the  second  ?" 

"  I  shall  live  at  peace,  my  friend,  on  a 
certain  source  of  income  that  I  possess." 
He  tapped  his  breast  -  pocket  with  a  slight 
defiant  laugh.  "In  these  days,"  said  he, 
"even  queens  must  be  careful  about  their 
letters.     We  live  in  moral  times." 

"You  don't  share  the  responsibility  for  it," 
said  Rudolf,  smiling. 

"  I  make  my  little  protest.  But  what 's 
your  business,  play-actor,  for  I  think  you're 
rather  tiresome?" 

Rudolf  grew  grave.  He  advanced  towards 
the  table  and  spoke  in  low  serious  tones. 

**  My  lord,  you  're  alone  in  this  matter  now. 
20 


306  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Rischenheim  is  a  prisoner;  your  rogue  Bauer 
I  encountered  last  night  and  broke  his  head." 

"Ah,  you  did?" 

**  You  have  what  you  know  of  in  your 
hands.  If  you  yield,  on  my  honour  I  will 
save  your  life." 

"  You  don't  desire  my  blood,  then,  most 
forgiving  play-actor  ?  " 

"  So  much,  that  I  daren't  fail  to  offer  you 
life,"  answered  Rudolf  Rassendyll.  "Come, 
sir,  your  plan  has  failed :  give  up  the  letter." 

Rupert  looked  at  him  thoughtfully. 

"You'll  see  me  safe  off  if  I  give  it  you?" 
he  asked, 

"I'll  prevent  your  death.  Yes,  and  I'll 
see  you  safe." 

"Where  to?" 

"To  a  fortress,  where  a  trustworthy 
gentleman  will  guard  you." 

"  For  how  long,  my  dear  friend  ?  " 

"  I  hope  for  many  years,  my  dear  Count." 

"  In  fact,  I  suppose,  as  long  as ?  " 

"  Heaven  leaves  you  to  the  world,  Count. 
It 's  impossible  to  set  you  free." 

"That's  the  offer,  then?" 

"  The  extreme  limit  of  indulgence,"  an- 
swered Rudolf. 

Rupert  burst  into  a  laugh,  half  of  defiance, 
yet  touched  with  the  ring  of  true  amusement. 
Then  he  lit  a  cigarette  and  sat  puffing  and 
smiling. 

"  I    should  wrong  you    by    straining   your 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.    307 

kindness  so  far,"  said  he ;  and  in  wanton 
insolence,  seeking  again  to  show  Mr.  Ras- 
sendyll  the  mean  esteem  in  which  he  held 
him  and  the  weariness  his  presence  was,  he 
raised  his  arms  and  stretched  them  above 
his  head,  as  a  man  does  in  the  fatigue  of 
tedium.     "  Heigho  !  "  he  yawned. 

But  he  had  overshot  the  mark  this  time. 
With  a  sudden  swift  bound  Rudolf  was  upon 
him ;  his  hands  gripped  Rupert's  wrists,  and 
with  his  greater  strength  he  bent  back  the 
Count's  pliant  body  till  trunk  and  head  lay  flat 
on  the  table.  Neither  man  spoke  ;  their  eyes 
met ;  each  heard  the  other's  breathing  and  felt 
the  vapour  of  it  on  his  face.  The  girl  out- 
side had  seen  the  movement  of  Rudolfs 
figure,  but  her  cranny  did  not  serve  to  show 
her  the  two  where  they  were  now;  she 
knelt  on  her  knees  in  ignorant  suspense. 
Slowly  and  with  patient  force  Rudolf  began 
to  work  his  enemy's  arms  towards  one 
another.  Rupert  had  read  his  design  in  his 
eyes  and  resisted  with  tense  muscles.  It 
seemed  as  though  his  arms  must  crack ;  but 
at  last  they  moved.  Inch  by  inch  they  were 
driven  closer  ;  now  the  elbows  almost 
touched;  now  the  wrists  joined  in  reluctant 
contact.  The  sweat  broke  out  on  the  Count's 
brow,  and  stood  in  large  drops  on  Rudolf's. 
Now  the  wrists  were  side  by  side,  and  slowly 
the  long  sinewy  fingers  of  Rudolf's  right 
hand,    that    held    one  wrist  already  in  their 


308  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

vice,  began  to  creep  round  the  other.  The 
grip  seemed  to  have  half  numbed  Rupert's 
arms,  and  his  struggles  -  grew  fainter.  Round 
both  wrists  the  sinewy  fingers  climbed  and 
coiled  ;  gradually  and  timidly  the  grasp  of 
the  other  hand  was  relaxed  and  withdrawn. 
V/ould  the  one  hold  both?  With  a  great 
spasm  of  effort  Rupert  put  it  to  the  proof. 
The  smile  that  bent  Mr.  Rassendyll's  lips 
gave  the  answer.  He  could  hold  both,  with 
one  hand  he  could  hold  both :  not  for  long, 
no,  but  for  an  instant.  And  then,  in  the 
instant,  his  left  hand,  free  at  last,  shot  to  the 
breast  of  the  Count's  coat.  It  was  the  same 
that  he  had  worn  at  the  hunting-lodge,  and 
was  ragged  and  torn  from  the  boarhound's 
teeth.  Rudolf  tore  it  further  open,  and  his 
hand  dashed  in. 

"God's  curse  on  you!'*  snarled  Rupert  of 
Hentzau. 

But  Mr.  Rassendyll  still  smiled.  Then  he 
drew  out  a  letter.  A  glance  at  it  showed 
him  the  Queen's  seal.  As  he  glanced  Rupert 
made  another  effort.  The  one  hand,  wearied 
out,  gave  way,  and  Mr.  Rassendyll  had  no 
more  than  time  to  spring  away,  holding  his 
prize.  The  next  moment  he  had  his  revolver 
in  his  hand — none  too  soon,  for  Rupert  of 
Hentzau's  barrel  faced  him,  and  they  stood 
thus,  opposite  to  one  another,  with  no  more 
than  three  or  four  feet  between  the  mouths 
of   their  weapons. 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR-    309 

There  is,  indeed,  much  that  may  be  said 
against  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  the  truth  about 
him  well  nigh  forbidding  that  charity  of 
judgment  which  we  are  taught  to  observe 
towards  all  men.  But  neither  I  nor  any 
man  who  knew  him  ever  found  in  him  a 
shrinking  from  danger  or  a  fear  of  death. 
It  was  no  feeling  such  as  these,  but  rather 
a  cool  calculation  of  chances,  that  now  stayed 
his  hand.  Even  if  he  were  victorious  in  the 
duel,  and  both  did  not  die,  yet  the  noise  of 
the  firearms  would  greatly  decrease  his 
chances  of  escape.  Moreover  he  was  a 
noted  swordsman,  and  conceived  that  he 
was  Mr.  Rassendyll's  superior  in  that 
exercise.  The  steel  offered  him  at  once  a 
better  prospect  of  victory  and  more  hope 
of  a  safe  flight.  So  he  did  not  pull  his 
trigger,  but,  maintaining  his  aim  the  while, 
said: 

"I'm  not  a  street  bully,  and  -  don't 
excel  in  a  rough-and-tumble.  Will  you  fight 
now  like  a  gentleman  ?  There 's  a  pair  of 
blades  in  the  case  yonder." 
^Mr.  Rassendyll,  in  his  turn,  was  keenly 
alive  to  the  peril  that  still  hung  over  the 
Queen.  To  kill  Rupert  would  not  save  her 
if  he  himself  also  were  shot  and  left  dead, 
or  so  helpless  that  he  could  not  destroy 
the  letter;  and  while  Rupert's  revolver  was 
at  his  heart  he  could  not  tear  it  up  nor 
reoch  the  fire  that  burnt  on  the  other  side 


3IO  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

of  the  room.  Nor  did  he  fear  the  result 
of  a  trial  with  steel,  for  he  had  kept  him- 
self in  practice  and  improved  his  skill  since 
the   days   when   he  came  first  to   Strelsau. 

"As  you  will,"  said  he.  "Provided  we 
settle  the  matter  here  and  now,  the  man- 
ner is  the   same  to   me." 

"  Put  your  revolver  on  the  table,  then, 
and  I'll  lay  mine  by  the  side   of   it." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,"  smiled  Rudolf,  "  but 
you  must  lay  yours  down   first." 

"  I  'm  to  trust  you,  it  seems,  but  you 
won't  trust  me  1 " 

"Precisely.  You  know  you  can  trust  me; 
you  know  that  I   can't  trust  you." 

A  sudden  flush  swept  over  Rupert  of 
Hentzau's  face.  There  were  moments  when 
he  saw,  in  the  mirror  of  another's  face  or 
words,  the  estimation  in  which  honourable 
men  held  him ;  and  I  believe  that  he  hated 
Mr.  Rassendyll  most  fiercely,  not  for  thwart- 
ing his  enterprise,  but  because  he  had  more 
power  than  any  other  man  to  show  him 
that  picture.  His  brows  knit  in  a  frown 
and  his  lips  shut  tight. 

"  Aye,  but  though  you  won't  fire,  you  '11 
destroy  the  letter,"  he  sneered.  "  I  know 
your  fine  distinctions." 

"Again  I  beg  your  pardon.  You  know 
very  well  that,  although  all  Strelsau  were 
at  the   door,   I  wouldn't  touch  the    letter." 

With  an  angry  muttered  oath  Rupert  flung 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.  3H 

his  revolver  on  the  table.  Rudolf  came 
forward  and  laid  his  by  it.  Then  he  took 
up  both,  and,  crossing  to  the  mantelpiece, 
laid  them  there ;  between  them  he  placed 
the  Queen's  letter.  A  bright  blaze  burnt 
in  the  stove ;  it  needed  but  the  slightest 
motion  of  his  hand  to  set  the  letter  be- 
yond all  danger.  But  he  placed  it  carefully 
on  the  mantelpiece,  and,  with  a  slight  smile 
on   his  face,   turned  to   Rupert,    saying  : 

"  Now  shall  we  resume  the  bout  that 
Fritz  von  Tarlenheim  interrupted  in  the 
forest  of  Zenda?  " 

All  this  while  they  had  been  speaking 
in  subdued  accents,  resolution  in  one,  anger 
in  the  other,  keeping  the  voice  to  an  even 
deliberate  lowness.  The  girl  outside  caught 
only  a  word  here  and  there ;  but  now 
suddenly  the  flash  of  steel  gleamed  on  her 
eyes  through  the  crevice  of  the  hinge.  She 
gave  a  sudden  gasp,  and,  pressing  her  face 
closer  to  the  opening,  listened  and  looked. 
For  Rupert  of  Hentzau  had  taken  the  swords 
from  their  case  and  put  them  on  the 
table.  With  a  slight  bow  Rudolf  took  one, 
and  the  two  assumed  their  positions. 
Suddenly  Rupert  lowered  his  point.  The 
frown  vanished  from  his  face,  and  he  spoke 
in  his  usual  bantering  tone. 

"By  the  way,"  said  he,  "perhaps  we're 
letting  our  feelings  run  away  with  us. 
Have  you  more  of   a  mind  now  to  be  King 


312  RUPERT   OF   HENTZAU. 

of  Ruritania?      If  so,  I'm  ready  to  be  the 
most  faithful  of  your  subjects." 

"You  honour  me,  Count." 

**  Provided,  of  course,  that  I  'm  one  of  the 
most  favoured  and  the  richest.  Come, 
come,  the  fool  is  dead  now  ;  he  lived  like 
a  fool  and  he  died  like  a  fool.  The  place 
is  empty.  A  dead  man  has  no  rights  and 
suffers  no  wrongs.  Damn  it,  that 's  good 
law,  isn't  it?  Take  his  place  and  his  wife. 
You  can  pay  my  price  then.  Or  are  you 
still  so  virtuous  ?  Faith,  how  little  some 
men  learn  from  the  world  they  live  in ! 
If  I  had  your   chance " 

"Come,  Count,  you'd  be  the  last  man  to 
trust   Rupert  of  Hentzau." 

"  If  I  made  it  w^orth  his   while?" 

"But  he's  a  man  who  would  take  the 
pay  and  betray  his  associate." 

Again  Rupert  flushed.  When  he  next 
spoke  his  voice  was  hard,   cold,  and  low. 

"By  God,  Rudolf  Rassendyll,"  said  he, 
"  I  '11  kill  you  here  and  now." 

"  I  ask  no  better  than  that  you  should 
try." 

"And  then  I'll  proclaim  that  woman  for 
what  she  is  through  all  Strelsau." 

A  smile  came  on  his  lips  as  he  watched 
Rudolf's  face. 

"  Guard  yourself,  my  lord,"  said  Mr. 
Rassendyll. 

"  Aye,  for  no  better  than There,  man, 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.    313 

I  'm  ready  for  you."     For  Rudolfs  blade  had 
touched  his  in    warning. 

The  steel  jangled.  The  girl's  pale  face 
was  at  the  crevice  of  the  hinge.  She  heard 
the  blades  cross  again  and  again.  Then 
one  would  run  up  the  other  with  a  sharp 
grating  slither.  At  times  she  caught  a 
glimpse  of  a  figure  in  quick  forward  lunge 
or  rapid  wary  withdrawal.  Her  brain  was 
almost  paralysed.  Ignorant  of  the  mind  and 
heart  of  young  Rupert,  she  could  not  con- 
ceive that  he  tried  to  kill  the  King.  Yet 
the  words  she  had  caught  sounded  like  the 
words  of  men  quarrelling,  and  she  could 
not  persuade  herself  that  the  gentlemen 
fenced  only  for  pastime.  They  were  not 
speaking  now;  but  she  heard  their  hard 
breathing  and  the  movement  of  their  un- 
resting feet  on  the  bare  boards  of  the 
floor.  Then  a  cry  rang  out,  clear  and  merry 
with  the  fierce  hope  of  triumph : 

"Nearly !  nearly! " 

She  knew  the  voice  for  Rupert  of 
Hentzau's,  and  it  was  the  King  who  an- 
swered calmly : 

"  Nearly  isn't  quite." 

Again  she  listened.  They  seemed  to  be 
pausing  for  a  moment,  for  there  was  no 
sound,  save  of  the  hard  breathing  and  deep- 
drawn  pants  of  men  who  rest  an  instant 
in  the  midst  of  intense  exertion.  Then 
came  again    the    clash    and    the   slitherings ; 


SH  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

and  one  of  them  crossed  into  her  view. 
She  knew  the  tall  figure  and  she  saw  the 
red  hair :  it  was  the  King.  Backward 
step  by  step  he  seemed  to  be  driven, 
coming  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  door.  At 
last  there  was  no  more  than  a  foot  between 
him  and  her ;  only  the  crazy  panel  pre- 
vented her  putting  out  her  hand  to  touch 
him.  Again  the  voice  of  Rupert  rang  out 
in  rich   exultation  : 

**  I  have  you  now !  Say  your  prayers, 
King   Rudolf!" 

"Say  your  prayers!"  Then  they  fought. 
It  was  earnest,  not  play.  And  it  was  the 
King — her  King  —  her  dear  King,  who  was 
in  great  peril  of  his  life  !  For  an  instant 
she  knelt,  still  watching.  Then  with  a  low 
cry  of  terror  she  turned  and  ran  headlong 
down  the  steep  stairs.  Her  mind  could  not 
tell  what  to  do,  but  her  heart  cried  out 
that  she  must  do  something  for  her  King. 
Reaching  the  ground  floor,  she  ran  with 
wide-open  eyes  into  the  kitchen.  The  stew 
was  on  the  hob ;  the  old  woman  still  held 
the  spoon,  but  she  had  ceased  to  stir  and 
fallen  into  a  chair. 

"He's  killing  the  King!  He's  killing  the 
King!"  cried  Rosa,  seizing  her  mother  by 
the  arm.  "  Mother,  what  shall  we  do  ?  He's 
killing  the    King!" 

The  old  woman  looked  up  with  dull  eyes 
and  a  stupid  cunning  smile. 


YOUNG  RUPERT  AND  THE  PLAY-ACTOR.    3^5 

"Let  them  alone,"  she  said.  "There's 
no  King  here." 

"Yes,  yes.  He's  upstairs  in  the  Count's 
room.  They're  fighting,  he  and  the  Count 
of  Hentzau.  Mother,  Count  Rupert  will  kill 
him  !  " 

"Let  them  alone.  He  the  King?  He's 
no  king,"  muttered  the  old  woman  again. 

For  an  instant  Rosa  stood  looking  down 
on  her  in  helpless  despair.  Then  a  light 
flashed  into  her  eyes. 

"  I  must  call  for  help !  "  she  cried. 

The  old  woman  seemed  to  spring  to 
sudden  life.  She  jumped  up  and  caught 
her  daughter  by  the  shoulder. 

"  No,  no,"  she  whispered  in  quick  accents. 
"You — you  don't  know.  Let  them  alone, 
you  fool !  It 's  not  our  business.  Let  them 
alone." 

"  Let  me  go,  mother,  let  me  go !  Mother, 
I  must  help  the   King!" 

"I'll  not  let  you  go,"  said  Mother  Holf. 

But  Rosa  was  young  and  strong;  her 
heart  was  fired  with  terror  for  the  King's 
danger. 

"  I  must  go  !  "  she  cried ;  and  she  flung  her 
mother's  grasp  off"  from  her,  so  that  the  old 
woman  was  thrown  back  into  her  chair,  and 
the  spoon  fell  from  her  hand  and  clattered 
on  the  tiles.  But  Rosa  turned  and  fled  down 
the  passage  and  through  the  shop.  The 
bolts    delayed   her   trembling   fingers    for   an 


3l6  RUPERT    OF   HENTZAU. 

instant.  Then  she  flung  the  door  wide.  A 
new  amazement  filled  her  eyes  at  the  sight 
of  the  eager  crowd  before  the  house.  Then 
her  eyes  fell  on  me  where  I  stood  beside 
the  Lieutenant  and  Rischenheim,  and  she 
uttered  her  wild  cry,  "Help!     The  King!" 

With  one  bound  I  was  by  her  and  in  the 
house,  while  Bernenstein  cried,  "Quicker!" 
from  behind. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 
THE     TRIUMPH     OF    THE     KING. 

THE  things  that  men  call  presages,  pre- 
sentiments, and  so  forth,  are  to  my 
mind  for  the  most  part  idle  nothings: 
sometimes  it  is  only  that  probable  events 
cast  before  them  a  natural  shadow  which 
superstitious  fancy  twists  into  a  heaven-sent 
warning ;  oftener  the  same  desire  that  gives 
conception  works  fulfilment,  and  the  dreamer 
sees  in  the  result  of  his  own  act  and  will 
a  mysterious  accomplishment  independent  of 
his  effort.  Yet  when  I  observe  thus  calmly 
and  with  good  sense  on  the  matter  to  the 
Constable  of  Zenda,  he  shakes  his  head 
and  answers  :  **  But  Rudolf  Rassendyll 
knew  from  the  first  that  he  would  come 
again  to  Strelsau  and  engage  young  Rupert 
point  to  point.  Else  why  did  he  practise 
with  the  foils  so  as  to  be  a  better  swords- 
man the  second  time  than  he  v/as  the  first  ? 
Mayn't  God  do  anything  that  Fritz  von 
Tarlenheim  can't  understand?  A  pretty 
notion,  on  my  life  I "  And  he  goes  off 
grumbling. 

Well,  be  it   inspiration    or  be    it    delusion 
— and  the  difference  stands  often  on  a  hair's 


3«7 


3l8  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

breadth— I  am  glad  that  Rudolf  had  it.  For 
if  a  man  once  grows  rusty,  it  is  everything 
short  of  impossible  to  put  the  fine  polish  on 
his  skill  again.  Mr.  Rassendyll  had  strength, 
will,  coolness,  and,  of  course,  courage. 
None  would  have  availed  had  not  his  eye 
been  in  perfect  familiarity  with  its  work  and 
his  hand  obeyed  it  as  readily  as  the  bolt 
slips  in  a  well-oiled  groove.  As  the  thing 
stood,  the  lithe  agility  and  unmatched  dash 
of  young  Rupert  but  just  missed  being  too 
much  for  him.  He  was  in  deadly  peril 
when  the  girl  Rosa  ran  down  to  bring  him 
aid.  His  practised  skill  was  able  to  maintain 
his  defence.  He  sought  to  do  no  more,  but 
endured  Rupert's  fiery  attacks  and  wily 
feints  in  an  almost  motionless  stillness. 
Almost,  I  say;  for  the  slight  turns  of  wrist 
that  seem  nothing  are  everything,  and  served 
here  to  keep  his  skin  whole  and  his  life  in 
him. 

There  was  an  instant — Rudolf  saw  it  in 
his  eyes  and  dwelt  on  it  when  he  lightly 
painted  the  scene  for  us  —  when  there 
dawned  on  Rupert  of  Hentzau  the  know- 
ledge that  he  could  not  break  down  his 
enemy's  guard.  Surprise,  chagrin,  amuse- 
ment, or  something  like  it,  seemed  blended 
in  his  look.  He  could  not  make  out  how 
he  was  caught  and  checked  in  every  effort, 
meeting,  it  seemed,  a  barrier  of  iron  im- 
pregnable in  rest.    His  quick  brain  grasped 


THE    TRIUMPH    OF    THE    KING.  319 

the  lesson  in  an  instant.  If  his  skill  were 
not  the  greater,  the  victory  would  not  be 
his,  for  his  endurance  was  the  less.  He 
was  younger  and  his  frame  not  so  closely 
knit ;  pleasure  had  taken  its  tithe  from  him ; 
perhaps  a  good  cause  goes  for  something. 
Even  while  he  almost  pressed  Rudolf  against 
the  panel  of  the  door,  he  seemed  to  know 
that  his  measure  of  success  was  full.  But 
what  the  hand  could  not  compass  the  head 
might  contrive.  In  quickly  conceived  strategy 
he  began  to  give  pause  in  his  attack,  nay, 
he  retreated  a  step  or  two.  No  scruples 
hampered  his  devices,  no  code  of  honour 
limited  the  means  he  would  employ.  Backing 
before  his  opponent,  he  seemed  to  Rudolf 
to  be  faint-hearted ;  he  was  baffled,  but 
seemed  despairing ;  he  was  weary,  but 
played  a  more  complete  fatigue.  Rudolf 
advanced,  pressing  and  attacking,  only  to 
meet  a  defence  as  perfect  as  his  own. 
They  were  in  the  middle  of  the  room  now, 
close  by  the  table.  Rupert,  as  though  he 
had  eyes  in  the  back  of  his  head,  skirted 
round,  avoiding  it  by  a  narrow  inch.  His 
breathing  was  quick  and  distressed,  gasp 
tumbling  over  gasp,  but  still  his  eye  was 
alert  and  his  hand  unerring.  He  had  but  a 
few  moments'  more  effort  left  in  him;  it 
was  enough  if  he  could  reach  his  goal  and 
perpetrate  the  trick  on  which  his  mind,  fertile 
in  every  base   device,  was    set.     For   it    was 


320  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

towards  the  mantelpiece  that  his  retreat, 
seeming  forced,  in  truth  so  deliberate,  led 
him.  There  was  the  letter,  there  lay  the 
revolvers.  The  time  to  think  of  risks  was 
gone  by ;  the  time  to  boggle  over  what 
honour  allowed  or  forbade  had  never  come 
to  Rupert  of  Hentzau.  If  he  could  not 
win  by  force  and  skill  he  would  win  by  guile, 
and  by  treachery  to  the  test  that  he  had 
himself  invited.  The  revolvers  lay  on  the 
mantelpiece :  he  meant  to  possess  himself 
of  one,  if  he  could  gain  an  instant  in  which 
to  snatch  it. 

The  device  that  he  adopted  was  nicely 
chosen.  It  was  too  late  to  call  a  rest  or  ask 
breathing  -  space :  Mr.  Rassendyll  was  not 
blind  to  the  advantage  he  had  won,  and 
chivalry  would  have  turned  to  folly  had  it 
allowed  such  indulgence.  Rupert  was  hard 
by  the  mantelpiece  now.  The  sweat  was 
pouring  from  his  face,  and  his  breast 
seemed  like  to  burst  in  the  effort  after 
breath;  yet  he  had  enough  strength  for  his 
purpose.  He  must  have  slackened  his  hold 
on  his  weapon,  for  when  Rudolf's  blade 
next  struck  it,  it  flew  from  his  hand,  twirled 
out  of  a  nerveless  grasp,  and  slid  along 
the  floor.  Rupert  stood  disarmed,  and 
Rudolf  motionless. 

<*Pick  it  up,"  said  Mr.  Rassendyll,  never 
thinking  there  had  been  a  trick. 

*'Aye,  and  you'll  truss  me  while  I  do  it.'* 


THE    TRIUMPH    OF   THE    KING.  32 1 

"You  young  fool,  don't  you  know  me 
yet  ?  "  and  Rudolf  Iqwered  his  blade,  resting 
its  point  on  the  floor,  while  with  his  left 
hand  he  indicated  Rupert's  weapon.  Yet 
something  warned  him :  it  may  be  there 
came  a  look  in  Rupert's  eyes,  perhaps  of 
scorn  for  his  enemy's  simplicity,  perhaps 
of  pure  triumph  in  the  graceless  knavery. 
Rudolf  stood  waiting. 

"  You  swear  you  won't  touch  me  while 
I  pick  it  up  ? "  asked  Rupert,  shrinking 
back  a  little  and  thereby  getting  an  inch 
or  two  nearer  the  mantelpiece. 

"You  have  my  promise;  pick  it  up.  I 
won't  wait  any  longer." 

"  You  won't  kill  me  unarmed  ? "  cried 
Rupert,  in  alarmed  scandalised  expostulation. 

"No;   but " 

The  speech  went  imfinished,  unless  a 
sudden  cry  were  its  ending.  And  as  he 
cried,  Rudolf  Rassendyll,  dropping  his  sword 
on  the  ground,  sprang  forward.  For  Rupert's 
hand  had  shot  out  behind  him  and  was  on 
the  butt  of  one  of  the  revolvers.  The 
whole  trick  flashed  on  Rudolf,  and  he  sprang, 
flinging  his  long  arms  round  Rupert.  But 
Rupert  had    the  revolver  in  his  hand. 

In  all  likelihood  the  two  neither  heard 
nor  heeded,  though  it  seemed  to  me  that 
the  creaks  and  groans  of  the  old  stairs  were 
loud  enough  to  wake   the   dead.      For   now 

SI 


322  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Rosa  had  given  the  alarm :  Bernenstein  and 
I — or  I  and  Bernenstein  (for  I  was  first, 
and  therefore  may  put  myself  first)  —  had 
rushed  up.  Hard  behind  us  came  Rischcn- 
heim,  and  hot  on  his  heels  a  score  of 
fellov7S,  pushing  and  shouldering  and  tramp- 
ling. We  in  front  had  a  fair  start,  and 
gained  the  stairs  unimpeded ;  Rischenheim 
was  caught  up  in  the  ruck  and  gulfed  in  the 
stormy  tossing  group  that  struggled  for  first 
footing  on  the  steps.  Yet  soon  they  were 
after  us,  and  we  heard  them  reach  the 
first  landing  as  we  sped  up  to  the  last. 
There  was  a  confused  din  through  all  the 
house,  and  it  seemed  now  to  echo  muffled 
and  vague  through  the  walls  from  the  street 
without.  I  was  conscious  of  it,  although  I 
paid  no  heed  to  anything  but  reaching  the 
room  where  the  King — where  Rudolf— was. 
Now  I  was  there,  Bernenstein  hanging  to 
my  heels.  The  door  did  not  hold  us  a 
second.  I  was  in,  he  after  me.  He  slam- 
med the  door  and  set  his  back  against  it, 
just  as  the  rush  of  feet  flooded  the  highest 
flight  of  stairs.  And  at  the  moment  a 
revolver  shot  rang  clear  and  loud. 

The  Lieutenant  and  I  stood  still,  he 
against  the  door,  I  a  pace  farther  into  the 
room.  The  sight  we  saw  was  enough  to 
arrest  us  with  its  strange  interest.  The 
smoke  of  the  shot  was  curling  about,  but 
neither  man  seemed  wounded.    The  revolver 


THE    TRIUMPH    OF    THE    KING.  323 

was  in  Rupert's  hand,  and  its  muzzle  smoked. 
But  Rupert  was  jammed  against  the  wall, 
just  by  the  side  of  the  mantelpiece.  With 
one  hand  Rudolf  had  pinned  his  left  arm 
to  the  wainscoting  higher  than  his  head, 
with  the  other  he  held  his  right  wrist.  I 
drew  slowly  nearer :  if  Rudolf  was  unarmed, 
I  could  fairly  enforce  a  truce  and  put  them 
on  equality ;  yet,  though  Rudolf  was  unarmed, 
I  did  nothing.  The  sight  of  his  face  stopped 
me.  He  was  very  pale  and  his  lips  were 
set,  but  it  was  his  eyes  that  caught  my 
gaze,  for  they  were  glad  and  merciless.  I 
had  never  seen  him  look  thus  before.  I 
turned  from  him  to  young  Hentzau's  face. 
Rupert's  teeth  were  biting  his  under  lip, 
the  sweat  dropped,  and  the  veins  swelled 
large  and  blue  on  his  forehead;  his  eyes 
were  set  on  Rudolf  Rassendyll.  Fascinated, 
I  drew  nearer.  Then  I  saw  what  passed. 
Inch  by  inch  Rupert's  arm  curved,  the 
elbow  bent,  the  hand  that  had  pointed 
almost  straight  from  him  and  at  Mr.  Rassen- 
dyll pointed  now  away  from  both  towards 
the  window.  -  But  its  motion  did  not  stop ; 
it  followed  the  line  of  a  circle :  now  it  was 
on  Rupert's  arm ;  still  it  moved,  and  quicker 
now,  for  the  power  of  resistance  grew  less. 
Rupert  was  beaten ;  he  felt  it  and  knew  it, 
and  I  read  the  knowledge  in  his  eyes.  I 
stepped  up  to  Rudolf  Rassendyll.  He  heard 
or    felt    me,    and    turned    his    eyes    for   an 


324  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

instant.  I  do  not  know  what  my  face  said, 
but  he  shook  his  head  and  turned  back  to 
Rupert.  The  revolver,  held  still  in  the 
man's  own  hand,  was  at  his  heart.  The 
motion   ceased,   the  point  was  reached. 

I  looked  again  at  Rupert.  Now  his  face 
was  easier ;  there  was  a  slight  smile  on  his 
lips ;  he  flung  back  his  comely  head  and 
rested  thus  against  tke  wainscoting ;  his 
eyes  asked  a  question  of  Rudolf  Rassendyll. 
I  turned  my  gaze  to  where  the  answer  was 
to  come,  for  Rudolf  made  none  in  words. 
By  the  swiftest  of  movements  he  shifted  his 
grasp  from  Rupert's  wrist  and  pounced  on 
his  hand.  Now  his  forefinger  rested  on 
Rupert's,  and  Rupert's  was  on  the  trigger. 
I  am  no  soft-heart,  but  I  laid  a  hand  on  his 
shoulder.  He  took  no  heed ;  I  dared  do 
no  more.  Rupert  glanced  at  me.  I  caught 
his  look,  but  what  could  I  say  to  him  ? 
Again  my  eyes  were  riveted  on  Rudolfs 
finger.  Now  it  was  crooked  round  Rupert's, 
seeming  like  a  man  who  strangles  another. 

I  will  not  say  more.  He  smiled  to  the 
last ;  his  proud  head,  which  had  never  bent 
for  shame,  did  not  bend  for  fear.  There 
was  a  sudden  tightening  in  the  pressure  of 
that  crooked  forefinger,  a  flash,  a  noise. 
He  was  held  up  against  the  wall  for  an 
instant  by  Rudolf's  hand ;  when  that  was 
removed  he  sank,  a  heap  that  looked  all 
head  and  knees. 


THE   TRIUMPH    OF    THE    KING.  325 

But  hot  on  the  sound  of  the  discharge 
came  a  shout  and  an  oath  from  Bernenstein. 
He  was  hurled  away  from  the  door,  and 
through  it  burst  Rischenheim  and  the  whole 
score  after  him.  They  were  jostling  one 
another  and  crying  out  to  know  what  had 
passed  and  where  the  King  was.  High  over 
all  the  voices,  coming  from  the  back  of  the 
throng,  I  heard  the  cry  of  the  girl  Rosa. 
But  as  soon  as  they  were  in  the  room,  the 
same  spell  that  had  fastened  Bernenstein 
and  me  to  inactivity  imposed  its  numbing 
power  on  them  also.  Only  Rischenheim  gave 
a  sudden  sob  and  ran  forward  to  where  his 
cousin  lay.  The  rest  stood  staring.  For  a 
moment  Rudolf  faced  them.  Then,  without 
a  word,  he  turned  his  back.  He  put  out 
the  right  hand  with  which  he  had  just 
killed  Rupert  of  Hentzau,  and  took  the  letter 
from  the  mantelpiece.  He  glanced  at  the 
envelope,  then  he  opened  the  letter.  The 
handwriting  banished  any  last  doubt  he  had; 
he  tore  the  letter  across,  and  again  in  four 
pieces,  and  yet  again  to  smaller  fragments. 
Then  he  sprinkled  the  morsels  of  paper 
into  the  blaze  of  the  fire.  I  believe  that 
every  eye  in  the  room  followed  them  and 
watched  till  they  curled  and  crinkled  into 
black  wafery  ashes.  Thus  at  last  the 
Queen's  letter  was  safe. 

When  he  had  thus  set  the  seal  on  his  task, 
he  turned  round  to  us  again.      He  paid  no 


326  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

heed  to  Rischenheim,  who  was  crouching 
down  by  the  body  of  Rupert ;  but  he  looked 
at  Bernenstein  and  me,  and  then  at  the 
people  behind  us.  He  waited  a  moment 
before  he  spoke ;  then  his  utterance  was 
not  only  calm  but  also  very  slow,  so  that  he 
seemed  to  be  choosing  his  words  carefully. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  he,  **  a  full  account 
of  this  matter  will  be  rendered  by  myself 
in  due  time.  For  the  present  it  must  suffice 
to  say  that  this  gentleman  who  lies  here  dead 
sought  an  interview  with  me  on  private 
business.  I  came  here  to  find  him,  desiring,  as 
he  professed  to  desire,  privacy.  And  here 
he  tried  to  kill  me.  The  result  of  his 
attempt  you  see." 

I  bowed  low,  Bernenstein  did  the  like,  and 
all  the  rest  followed  our  example. 

"  A  full  account  shall  be  given,"  said 
Rudolf.  <*  Now  let  all  leave  me  except  the 
Count  of  Tarlenheim  and  Lieutenant  von 
Bernenstein." 

Most  unwillingly,  with  gaping  mouths  and 
wonder-struck  eyes,  the  throng  filed  out  of 
the  door.    Rischenheim  rose  to  his  feet. 

"  You  stay,  if  you  like,"  said  Rudolf,  and 
the  Count  again  knelt  by  his  kinsman. 

Seeing  the  rough  bedsteads  by  the  wall  of 
the  attic,  I  touched  Rischenheim  on  the 
shoulder  and  pointed  to  one  of  them. 
Together  we  lifted  Rupert  of  Hentzau.  The 
revolver  was  still  in  his  hand,  but  Bernenstein 


THE    TRIUMPH    OF    THE    KING.  327 

disengaged  it  from  his  grasp.  Then  Rischen- 
heim  and  I  laid  him  down,  disposing  his  body 
decently  and  spreading  over  it  his  riding- 
cloak,  still  spotted  with  the  mud  gathered  on 
his  midnight  expedition  to  the  hunting-lodge. 
His  face  looked  much  as  before  the  shot  was 
fired ;  in  death,  as  in  life,  he  was  the 
handsomest  fellow  in  all  Ruritania.  I  wager 
that  many  tender  hearts  ached  and  many 
bright  eyes  were  dimmed  for  him  when  the 
news  of  his  guilt  and  death  went  forth. 
There  are  ladies  still  in  Strelsau  who  wear 
his  trinkets  in  an  ashamed  devotion  that 
cannot  forget.  Well,  even  I,  who  had  every 
good  cause  to  hate  and  scorn  him,  set  the 
hair  smooth  on  his  brow ;  while  Rischenheim 
was  sobbing  like  a  child,  and  young  Bern- 
enstein  rested  his  head  on  his  arm  as  he 
leant  on  the  mantelpiece  and  would  not  look 
at  the  dead.  Rudolf  alone  seemed  not  to 
heed  or  think  of  him.  His  eyes  had  lost 
their  unnatural  look  of  joy,  and  were  now 
calm  and  tranquil.  He  took  his  own  revolver 
from  the  mantelpiece  and  put  it  in  his  pocket, 
laying  Rupert's  neatly  where  his  had  been. 
Then  he  turned  to  me,  and  said  : 

"  Come,  let  us  go  to  the  Queen  and  tell 
her  that  the  letter  is  beyond  reach  of  hurt." 

Moved  by  some  impulse,  I  walked  to  the 
window  and  put  my  head  out.  I  was  seen 
from  below  and  a  great  shout  greeted  me. 
The    crowd    before    the    doors    grew    every 


328  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

moment :  the  people  flocking  from  all  quarters 
would  soon  multiply  it  a  hundredfold ;  for 
such  news  as  had  been  carried  from  the 
attic  by  twenty  wondering  tongiies  spreads 
like  a  forest -fire.  It  would  be  through 
Strelsau  in  a  few  minutes,  through  the 
kingdom  in  an  hour,  through  Europe  in  but 
little  longer.  Rupert  was  dead  and  the 
letter  was  safe,  but  what  were  we  to  tell 
that  great  concourse  concerning  their  King  ? 
A  queer  feeling  of  helpless  perplexity  came 
over  me  and  found  vent  in  a  foolish  laugh. 
Bernenstein  was  by  my  side ;  he  also  looked 
out,  and  turned  again  with  an  eager  face. 

"  You  '11  have  a  royal  progress  to  your 
palace,"  said  he  to  Rudolf  Rassendyll. 

Mr.  Rassendyll  made  no  answer,  but, 
coming  to  me,  took  my  arm.  We  went  out, 
leaving  Rischenheim  by  the  body.  I  did  not 
think  af  him ;  Bernenstein  probably  thought 
that  he  would  keep  his  pledge  given  to  the 
Queen,  for  he  followed  us  immediately  and 
without  demur.  There  was  nobody  outside 
the  door.  The  house  was  very  quiet,  and 
the  tumult  from  the  street  reached  us  only 
in  a  muffled  roar.  But  when  we  came  to 
the  foot  of  the  stairs  we  found  the  two 
women.  Mother  Holf  stood  on  the  threshold 
of  the  kitchen,  looking  amazed  and  terrified. 
Rosa  was  clinging  to  her;  but  as  soon  as 
Rudolf  came  in  sight  the  girl  sprang  forward 
and  flung  herself  on  her  knees  before  him, 


THE    TRIUMPH    OF   THE    KING.  329 

pouring  out  incoherent  thanks  to  Heaven 
for  his  safety.  He  bent  down  and  spoke  to 
her  in  a  whisper ;  she  looked  up  with  a  flush 
of  pride  on  her  face.  He  seemed  to  hesitate 
a  moment  ;  he  glanced  at  his  hands,  but  he 
wore  no  ring  save  that  which  the  Queen  had 
given  him  long  ago.  Then  he  disengaged 
his  chain  and  took  his  gold  watch  from  his 
pocket.  Turning  it  over,  he  showed  me  the 
monogram,  R.R. 

"  Rudolfus  Rex,"  he  whispered  with  a 
whimsical  smile,  and  pressed  the  watch  into 
the  girl's  hand,  saying,  "  Keep  this  to  remind 
you  of  me." 

She  laughed  and  sobbed  as  she  caught  it  with 
one  hand,  while  with  the  other  she  held  his. 

"  You  must  let  me  go,"  he  said  gently. 
"  I  have  much  to  do." 

I  took  her  by  the  arm  and  induced  her  to 
rise.  Rudolf,  released,  passed  on  to  where 
the  old  woman  stood.  He  spoke  to  her  in 
a  stern  distinct  voice. 

*♦  I  don't  know,"  he  said,  **  how  far  you 
are  a  party  to  the  plot  that  was  hatched  in 
your  house.  For  the  present  I  am  content 
not  to  know,  for  it  is  no  pleasure  to  me  to 
detect  disloyalty  or  to  punish  an  old  woman. 
But  take  care !  The  first  word  you  speak, 
the  first  act  you  do  against  me,  the  King, 
will  bring  its  certain  and  swift  punishment. 
If  you  trouble  me,  I  won't  spare  you.  In 
spite  of  traitors,  I  am  still  King  in  Strelsau." 


330  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

He  paused,  looking  hard  in  her  face.  Her 
lip  quivered  and  her  eyes  fell. 

"  Yes,"  he  repeated,  **  I  am  King  in 
Strelsau.  Keep  your  hands  out  of  mischief 
and  your  tongue  quiet.'* 

She  made  no  answer.  He  passed  on.  I 
was  following,  but  as  I  went  by  her  the 
old  woman  clutched  my  arm. 

"In  God's  name,  who  is  he?"  she 
whispered. 

"Are  you  mad?"  I  asked,  lifting  my 
brows.  "  Don't  you  know  the  King  when 
he  speaks  to  you  ?  And  you  'd  best  remem- 
ber what  he  said.  He  has  servants  who'll 
do  his  orders." 

She  let  me  go  and  fell  back  a  step. 
Young  Bernenstein  smiled  at  her ;  he  at 
least  found  more  pleasure  than  anxiety  in 
our  position.  Thus,  then,  we  left  them  : 
the  old  woman  terrified,  amazed,  doubtful ; 
the  girl  with  ruddy  cheeks  and  shining  eyes, 
clasping  in  her  two  hands  the  keepsake 
that  the  King  himself  had  given  her. 

Bernenstein  had  more  presence  of  mind 
than  I.  He  ran  forward,  got  in  front  of 
both  of  us,  and  flung  the  door  open.  Then, 
bowing  very  low,  he  stood  aside  to  let 
Rudolf  pass.  The  street  was  full  from  end 
to  end  now,  and  a  mighty  shout  of  welcome 
rose  from  thousands  of  throats.  Hats  and 
handkerchiefs  were  waved  in  mad  exulta- 
tion and  triumphant  loyalty.    The  tidings  of 


THE    TRIUMPH    OF    THE    KING.  331 

the  King's  escape  had  flashed  through  the 
city,  and  all  were  there  to  do  him  honour. 
They  had  seized  some  gentleman's  landau  and 
taken  out  the  horses.  The  carriage  stood 
now  before  the  door  of  the  house.  Rudolf 
had  waited  a  moment  on  the  threshold,  lifting 
his  hat  once  or  twice ;  his  face  was  perfectly 
calm,  and  I  saw  no  trembling  in  his  hands. 
In  an  instant  a  dozen  arms  took  gentle  hold 
of  him  and  impelled  him  forward.  He 
mounted  the  carriage  ;  Bernenstein  and  I 
followed,  with  bare  heads,  and  sat  on  the 
back  seat,  facing  him.  The  people  were 
round  as  thick  as  bees,  and  it  seemed  as 
though  wc  could  not  move  without  crushing 
somebody.  Yet  presently  the  wheels  turned 
and  they  began  to  drag  us  away  at  a  slow 
walk.  Rudolf  kept  raising  his  hat,  bowing 
now  to  right,  now  to  left.  But  once,  as  he 
turned,  his  eyes  met  ours.  In  spite  of  what 
was  behind  and  what  was  in  front,  we  all 
three  smiled. 

"  I  wish  they  'd  go  a  little  quicker,"  said 
Rudolf  in  a  whisper,  as  he  conquered  his 
smile  and  turned  again  to  acknowledge  the 
loyal  greeting  of  his  subjects. 

But  what  did  they  know  of  any  need  for 
haste?  They  did  not  know  what  stood  on 
the  turn  of  the  next  few  hours,  nor  the 
momentous  question  that  pressed  for  instant 
decision.  So  far  from  hurrying,  they  leng- 
thened our  ride  by  many  pauses;   they  kept 


332  RUPERT   OF    HENTZAU. 

US  before  the  Cathedral,  while  some  ran 
and  got  the  joy  -  bells  ringing ;  we  were 
stopped  to  receive  improvised  bouquets  from 
the  hands  of  pretty  girls  and  impetuous 
handshakings  from  enthusiastic  loyalists. 
Through  it  all  Rudolf  kept  his  composure, 
and  seemed  to  play  his  part  with  native 
kingliness.  I  heard  Bernenstein  whisper, 
"By  God,  he  must  stick  to  it!". 

At  last  we  came  in  sight  of  the  palace. 
Here  also  there  was  a  great  stir.  Many 
officers  and  soldiers  were  about.  I  saw  the 
Chancellor's  carriage  standing  near  the 
portico,  and  a  dozen  other  handsome  equi- 
pages were  waiting  till  they  could  approach. 
Our  human  horses  drew  us  slowly  up  to  the 
entrance.  Helsing  was  on  the  steps,  and  ran 
down  to  the  carriage,  greeting  the  King  with 
passionate  fervour.  The  shouts  of  the  crowd 
grew  louder  still. 

But  suddenly  a  stillness  fell  on  them;  it 
lasted  but  an  instant,  and  was  the  prelude 
to  a  deafening  roar.  I  was  looking  at 
Rudolf  and  saw  his  head  turn  suddenly  and 
his  eyes  grow  bright.  I  looked  where  his 
eyes  had  gone.  There,  on  the  top  step  of 
the  broad  marble  flight,  stood  the  Queen, 
pale  as  the  marble  itself,  stretching  out  her 
hands  towards  Rudolf.  The  people  had  seen 
her:  she  it  was  whom  this  last  rapturous 
cheer  greeted.  My  wife  stood  olose  behind 
her,  and  farther  back  others  of  her   ladies. 


THE   TRIUMPH    OF   THE    KING.  333 

Bcmcnstein  and  I  sprang  out.  With  a  last 
salute  to  the  people  Rudolf  followed  us.  He 
walked  up  to  the  highest  step  but  one,  and 
there  fell  on  one  knee  and  kissed  the  Queen's 
hand.  I  was  by  him,  and  when  he  looked 
up  in  her  face  I  heard  him  say: 

"All's  well.  He's  dead,  and  the  letter 
burnt." 

She  raised  him  with  her  hand.  Her  lips 
moved,  but  it  seemed  as  though  she  coiid 
find  no  words  to  speak.  She  put  her  arm 
through  his,  and  thus  they  stood  for  an 
instant,  fronting  all  Strelsau.  Again  the 
cheers  rang  out,  and  young  Bemenstein 
sprang  forward,  waving  his  helmet  and  crying 
like  a  man  possessed,  "  God  save  the  King ! " 
I  was  carried  away  by  his  enthusiasm  and 
followed  his  lead.  All  the  people  took  up 
the  cry  with  boundless  fervour,  and  thus  we 
all,  high  and  low  in  Strelsau,  that  afternoon 
hailed  Mr.  Rassendyll  for  our  King.  There 
has  been  no  such  zeal  since  Henry  the  Lion 
came  back  from  his  wars,  a  hundred  and 
fifty  years  ago. 

"And  yet,"  observed  old  Helsing  at  my 
elbow,  **  agitators  say  there  is  no  enthusiasm 
for  the  House  of  Elphberg ! "  He  took  a 
pinch  of  snuff  in  scornful  satisfaction. 

Young  Bernenstein  interrupted  his  cheering 
with  a  short  laugh,  but  fell  to  his  task  again 
in  a  moment.  I  had  recovered  my  senses 
by  now,  and  stood  panting,  looking  down  on 


334  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

the  crowd.  It  was  growing  dusk  and  the 
faces  became  blurred  into  a  white  sea.  Yet 
suddenly  I  seemed  to  discern  one  glaring  up 
at  me  from  the  middle  of  the  crowd — the 
pale  face  of  a  man  with  a  bandage  about 
his  head.  I  caught  Bernenstein's  arm  and 
whispered  **  Bauer,"  pointing  with  my  finger 
where  the  face  was.  But  even  as  I  pointed, 
it  was  gone :  though  it  seemed  impossible  for 
a  man  to  move  in  that  press,  yet  it  was 
gone.  It  had  come  like  a  cynic's  warning 
across  the  scene  of  mock  triumph,  and  went 
swiftly  as  it  had  come,  leaving  behind  it  a 
reminder  of  our  peril.  I  felt  suddenly  sick 
at  heart,  and  almost  cried  out  to  the  people 
to  have  done  with  their  silly  shouting. 

At  last  we  got  away.  The  plea  of  fatigue 
met  all  visitors  who  made  their  way  to  the 
door  and  sought  to  offer  their  congratulations ; 
it  could  not  disperse  the  crowd  that  hung 
persistently  and  contentedly  about,  ringing 
us  in  the  palace  with  a  living  fence.  We 
still  heard  their  jests  and  cheers  when  we 
were  alone  in  the  small  saloon  that  opens 
on  the  gardens^  My  wife  and  I  had  come 
there  at  Rudolf's  request ;  Bernenstein  had 
assumed  the  duty  of  guarding  the  door. 
Evening  was  now  falling  fast,  and  it  grew 
dark.  The  garden  was  quiet;  the  distant 
noise  of  the  crowd  threw  its  stillness  into 
greater  relief.  Rudolf  told  us  there  the 
story  of  his  struggle  with  Rupert  of  Hentzau 


THE   TRIUMPH    OF   THE    KING.  335 

in  the  attic  of  the  old  house,  dwelling  on 
it  as  lightly  as  he  could.  The  Queen  stood 
by  his  chair — she  would  not  let  him  rise ; 
when  he  finished  by  telling  how  he  burnt 
her  letter,  she  stooped  suddenly  and  kissed 
him  on  the  brov/.  Then  she  looked  straight 
across  at  Helga  almost  defiantly;  but  Helga 
ran  to  her  and  caught  her  in  her  arms. 

Rudolf  Rassendyll  sat  with  his  head  resting 
on  his  hand.  He  looked  up  once  at  the 
two  women ;  then  he  caught  my  eye,  and 
beckoned  me  to  come  to  him.  I  approached 
him,  but  for  several  moments  he  did  not 
speak.  Again  he  motioned  to  me,  and, 
resting  my  hand  on  the  arm  of  his  chair, 
I  bent  my  head  close  down  to  his.  He 
glanced  again  at  the  Queen,  seemed  afraid 
that  she  would  hear  what  he  wished  to  say. 

"Fritz,"  he  whispered  at  last,  "as  soon 
as  it 's  fairly  dark  I  must  get  away. 
Bemen stein  will  come  with  me.  You  must 
stay  here." 

"  Where  can  you   go  ?  *' 

"  To  the  lodge.  I  must  meet  Sapt  and 
arrange  matters  with  him." 

I  did  not  understand  what  plan  he  had 
in  his  head,  or  what  scheme  he  could 
contrive.  But  at  the  moment  my  mind 
was  not  directed  to  such  matters ;  it  was 
set  on  the  sight  before  my    eyes. 

"And  the  Queen?"  I  whispered  in  answer 
to  him. 


336  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Low  as  my  voice  was,  she  heard  it.  She 
turned  to  us  with  a  sudden  startled  move- 
ment, still  holding  Helga's  hand.  Her  eyes 
searched  our  faces,  and  she  knew  in  an 
instant  of  what  we  had  been  speaking.  A 
little  longer  still  she  stood,  gazing  at  us. 
Then  she  suddenly  sprang  forward  and  threw 
herself  on  her  knees  before  Rudolf,  her 
hands  uplifted  and  resting  on  his  shoulders. 
She  forgot  our  presence  and  everything  in  the 
world  save  her  great  dread  of  losing  him  again. 

"Not  again,  Rudolf,  my  darling!  Not 
again!    Rudolf,    I  can't  bear   it  again." 

Then  she  dropped  her  head  on  his  knees 
and  sobbed. 

He  raised  his  hand  and  gently  stroked  the 
gleaming  hair.  But  he  did  not  look  at  her. 
He  gazed  out  at  the  garden,  which  grew 
dark  and  dreary  in  the  gathering  gloom. 
His  lips  were  tight  set  and  his  face  pale 
and  drawn.  I  watched  him  for  a  moment; 
then  I  drew  my  wife  away,  and  we  sat 
down  at  a  table  some  way  off.  From  out- 
side still  came  the  cheers  and  tumult  of  the 
joyful  excited  crowd.  Within  there  was  no 
sound  but  the  Queen's  stifled  sobbing. 
Rudolf  caressed  her  shining  hair  and  gazed 
into  the  night  with  sad  set  eyes. 

She  raised  her  head  and  looked  into  his 
face. 

"You'll  break  my  heart,"   she  said. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 
FOR    OUR    LOVE    AND    HER    HONOUR! 

RUPERT  of  Hentzau  was  dead.  That 
was  the  thought  which  among  all  our 
perplexities  came  back  to  me,  carrying 
with  it  a  wonderful  relief.  To  those  who  have 
not  learnt  in  fighting  against  him  the  height 
of  his  audacity  and  the  reach  of  his  designs 
it  may  well  seem  incredible  that  -.his  death 
should  breed  comfort  at  a  moment  when  the 
future  was  still  so  dark  and  uncertain.  Yet 
to  me  it  was  so  great  a  thing  that  I  could 
hardly  bring  myself  to  the  conviction  that 
we  had  done  with  him.  True  he  was  dead ; 
but  could  he  not  strike  a  blow  at  us  even 
from  beyond  the  gulf  ? 

Such  were  the  half-superstitious  thoughts 
that  forced  their  way  into  my  mind  as  I 
stood  looking  out  on  the  crowd  which  ob- 
stinately encircled  the  front  of  the  palace. 
I  was  alone ;  Rudolf  was  with  the  Queen, 
my  wife  was  resting,  Bernenstein  had  sat 
down  to  a  meal  for  which  I  could  find  no 
appetite.  By  an  effort  I  freed  myself  from 
my  fancies  and  tried  to  concentrate  my 
bram  on  the  facts  of  our  position.  We  were 
ringed  round  with  difficulties.     To  solve  them 

22 
337 


338  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

was  beyond  my  power ;  but  I  knew  where 
my  wish  an4  longing  lay.  I  had  no  desire 
to  find  means  by  which  Rudolf  Rassendyll 
should  escape  unknown  from  Strelsau,  the 
King,  although  dead,  be  again  in  death  the 
King,  and  the  Queen  be  left  desolate  on  her 
mournful  and  solitary  throne.  It  might  be 
that  a  brain  more  astute  than  mine  could 
bring  all  this  to  pass.  My  imagination  would 
have  none  of  it,  but  dwelt  lovingly  on  the 
reign  of  him  who  was  now  King  in  Strelsau, 
declaring  that  to  give  the  kingdom  such  a 
ruler  would  be  a  splendid  fraud,  and  prove 
a  stroke  so  bold  as  to  defy  detection.  Against 
it  stood  only  the  suspicions  of  Mother  Holf— 
fear  or  money  would  close  her  lips— and  the 
knowledge  of  Bauer ;  Bauer's  mouth  could 
also  be  shut,  aye,  and  should  be  before  we 
were  many  days  older.  My  reverie  led  me 
far;  I  saw  the  future  years  unroll  before  me 
in  the  fair  record  of  a  great  King's  sovereignty. 
It  seemed  to  me  that  by  the  violence  and 
bloodshed  we  had  passed  through  Fate,  for 
once  penitent,  was  but  righting  the  mistake 
made  when  Rudolf  was  not  born  a  king. 

For  a  long  while  I  stood  thus,  musing 
and  dreaming;  I  was  roused  by  the  sound 
of  the  door  opening  and  closing;  turning, 
I  saw  the  Queen.  She  was  alone,  and  came 
towards  me  with  timid  steps.  She  looked 
out  for  a  moment  on  the  Square  and  the 
people,  but  drew  back  suddenly  in  apparent 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR!       339 

fear  lest  they  should  see  her.  Then  she 
sat  down  and  turned  her  face  towards  mine. 
I  read  in  her  eyes  something  of  the  conflict 
of  emotions  which  possessed  her;  she  seemed 
at  once  to  deprecate  my  disapproval  and 
to  ask  my  sympathy ;  she  prayed  me  to  be 
gentle  to  her  fault  and  kind  to  her  happiness ; 
self-reproach  shadowed  her  joy,  but  the 
golden  gleam  of  it  strayed  through.  I  looked 
eagerly  at  her  :  this  would  not  have  been 
her  bearing  had  she  come  from  a  last  fare- 
well ;  for  the  radiance  was  there,  however 
much  dimmed  by  sorrow  and  by  fearfulness. 

"Fritz,"  she  began  softly,  "I  am  wicked — 
so  wicked.  "Won't  God  punish  me  for  my 
gladness  ?  " 

I  fear  I  paid  little  heed  to  her  trouble, 
though  I  can  understand  it  well  enough  now. 

"Gladness?"  I  cried  in  a  low  voice.  "Then 
you  've  persuaded  him  ?  " 

She  smiled  at  me  for  an  instant. 

"I  mean  you've  agreed ?"  I  stammered. 

Her  eyes  again  sought  mine,  as  she  said 
in  a  whisper : 

"  Some  day,  not  now.  Oh,  not  now.  Now 
would  be  too  much.  But  some  day,  Fritz, 
if  God  will  not  deal  too  hardly  with  mc,  I — 
I  shall  be  his,  Fritz." 

I  was  intent  on  my  vision,  not  on  hers. 
I  wanted  him  King;  she  did  not  care  what 
he  was,  so  that  he  was  hers,  so  that  he 
should  not  leave  her. 


340  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  He  '11  take  the  throne  ? "  I  cried  trium- 
phantly. 

"  No,  no,  no.  Not  the  throne.  He 's  going 
away." 

"Going  away!"  I  could  not  keep  the  dis- 
may out  of  my  voice. 

**Yes,  now.  But  not  —  not  for  ever.  It 
will  be  long — oh,  so  long! — but  I  can  bear  it, 
if  I  know  that  at  last " 

She  stopped,  still  looking  up  at  me  with 
eyes  that  implored  pardon  and  sympathy. 

*'  I  don't  understand,"  said  I  bluntly,  and 
I  fear  gruffly  also. 

*'You  were  right,"  she  said:  "I  did  per- 
suade him.  He  wanted  to  go  away  again  as 
he  went  before.  Ought  I  to  have  let  him  ? 
Yes,  yes  !  But  I  couldn't.  Fritz,  hadn't  I 
done  enough  ?  You  don't  know  what  I  've 
endured.  And  I  must  endure  more  still. 
For  he  will  go  now,  and  the  time  will  be 
very  long.  But  at  last  we  shall  be  together. 
There  is  pity  in  God ;  we  shall  be  together 
at  last." 

"If  he  goes  now,  how  can  he  come 
back  ?  " 

"  He  will  not  come  back;  I  shall  go  to  him. 
I  shall  give  up  the  throne  and  go  to  him, 
some  day,  when  I  can  be  spared  from  here, 
when  I've  done  my — my  work." 

I  was  aghast  at  this  shattering  of  my  vision, 
yet  I  could  not  be  hard  to  her.  I  said  nothing, 
but  took  her  hand  and  pressed  it. 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR!       341 

«*You  wanted  him  to  be  King?"  she 
whispered. 

"With  all  my  heart,  madame,"  said  I. 

"He  wouldn't,  Fritz.  No,  and  I  shouldn't 
dare  to  do  that  either." 

I  fell  back  on  the  practical  difficulties. 

"But  how  can  he  go?"  I  asked. 

"  I  don't  know.  But  he  knows :  he  has  a 
plan." 

We  fell  again  into  silence ;  her  eyes  grew 
more  calm  and  seemed  to  look  forward  in 
patient  hope  to  the  time  when  her  happiness 
should  come  to  her.  I  felt  like  a  man  suddenly 
robbed  of  the  exaltation  of  wine  and  sunk  to 
dull  apathy. 

"  I  don't  see  how  he  can  go,"  I  said 
sullenly. 

She  did  not  answer  me.  A  moment  later 
the  door  again  opened.  Rudolf  came  in, 
followed  by  Bernenstein.  Both  wore  riding 
boots  and  cloaks.  I  saw  on  Bernenstein's 
face  just  such  a  look  of  disappointment  as  I 
knew  must  be  on  mine.  Rudolf  seemed  calm 
and  even  happy.  He  walked  straight  up  to 
the  Queen. 

"  The  horses  will  be  ready  in  a  few 
minutes,"  he  said  gently.  Then,  turning  to 
me,  he  asked,  "  You  know  what  we  are 
going  to  do,  Fritz  ?" 

"Not  I,  sire,"  I  answered  sulkily. 

"Not  I,  sire!"  he  repeated,  in  half-merry 
half- sad   mockery.     Then   he   came   between 


342  RUPERT    OF    HE>7TZAU. 

Berncnstein  and  mc  and  passed  his  arms 
through  ours.  *'  You  two  villains !  "  he  said. 
"  You  two  unscrupulous  villains  I  Here  you 
are  as  rough  as  bears,  because  I  won't  be  a 
thief!  Why  have  I  killed  young  Rupert  and 
left  you  rogues  alive?" 

I  felt  the  friendly  pressure  of  his  hand  on 
my  arm.  I  could  not  answer  him.  With 
every  word  from  his  lips  and  every  moment 
of  his  presence  my  sorrow  grew  keener  that 
he  would  not  stay.  Bernenstein  looked  across 
at  me  and  shrugged  his  shoulders  despairingly. 
Rudolf  gave  a  little  laugh. 

"You  won't  forgive  me  for  not  being  as 
great  a  rogue,  won't  you?"  he  asked. 

Well,  I  found  nothing  to  say,  but  I  took  my 
arm  out  of  his  and  clasped  his  hand.  He 
gripped  mine  hard. 

"That's  old  Fritz!"  he  said;  and  he  caught 
hold  of  Bernenstein' s  hand,  which  the  Lieu- 
tenant yielded  with  some  reluctance.  "  Now 
for  the  plan,"  said  he.  **  Bernenstein  and  I 
set  out  at  once  for  the  lodge — yes,  publicly, 
as  publicly  as  we  can.  I  shall  ride  right 
through  the  people  there,  showing  myself  to 
as  many  as  will  look  at  me,  and  letting  it 
be  known  to  everybody  where  I  'm  going. 
We  shall  get  there  quite  early  to-morrow, 
before  it 's  light.  There  we  shall  find  what 
you  know.  We  shall  find  Sapt  too,  and  he'll 
put  the  finishing  touches  to  our  plan  for  us. 
Hullo,  what's  that?" 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR  1       343 

There  was  a  sudden  fresh  shouting  from 
the  large  crowd  that  still  lingered  outside 
the  palace.  I  ran  to  the  window  and  saw  a 
commotion  in  the  midst  of  them.  I  flung  the 
sash  up.  Then  I  heard  a  well-known  loud 
strident  voice  : 

*'  Make  way,  you  rascals,  make  way  ! " 

I  turned  round  again,  full  of  excitement. 

"h's  Sapt  himself!"  I  said.  "He's  riding 
like  mad  through  the  crowd,  and  your 
servant's  just   behind   him." 

"  My  God,  what 's  happened  ?  Why  have 
they  left  the  lodge  ?  "    cried  Bernenstein. 

The  Queen  looked  up  in  startled  alarm, 
and,  rising  to  her  feet,  came  and  passed 
her  arm  through  Rudolfs.  Thus  we  all 
stood,  listening  to  the  people  good-naturedly 
cheering  Sapt,  whom  they  had  recognised, 
and  bantering  James,  whom  they  took  for  a 
servant  of  the  Constable's. 

The  minutes  seemed  very  long  as  we 
waited  in  utter  perplexity,  almost  in  con- 
sternation. The  same  thought  was  in  the 
mind  of  all  of  us,  silently  imparted  by  one 
to  another  in  the  glances  we  exchanged. 
What  could  have  brought  them  from  their 
guard  of  the  great  secret  save  its  discovery  ? 
They  would  never  have  left  their  post  while 
the  fulfilment  of  their  trust  was  possible. 
By  some  mishap,  some  unforeseen  chance, 
the  King's  body  must  have  been  discovered. 
Then  the   King's   death  was  known,  and  the 


344  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

news  of  it  might  any  moment  astonish  and 
bewilder  the  city. 

At  last  the  door  was  flung  open,  and  a 
servant  announced  the  Constable  of  Zenda. 
Sapt  was  covered  with  dust  and  mud,  and 
James,  who  entered  close  on  his  heels,  was 
in  no  better  plight.  Evidently  they  had 
ridden  hard  and  furiously;  indeed  they  were 
still  panting.  Sapt,  with  a  most  perfunctory 
bow  to  the  Queen,  came  straight  to  where 
Rudolf  stood. 

*«  Is  he  dead  ?  **  he  asked,  without  preface. 

"  Yes,  Rupert  is  dead,"  answered  Mr. 
Rassendyll:  "I  killed  him." 

"And  the  letter  ?  " 

"I  burnt  it." 

"And  Rischenheim  ?  '* 

The  Queen   struck  in. 

**  The  Count  of  Luzau- Rischenheim  will  say 
and  do  nothing  against  me,"  she  said. 

Sapt  lifted  his  brows  a  little. 

"Well,  and  Bauer?"  he  asked. 

"Bauer's  at  large,"  I  answered. 

"Hum!  Well  it's  only  Bauer,"  said  the 
Constable,  seeming  tolerably  well  pleased. 
Then  his  eyes  fell  on  Rudolf  and  Bemenstein. 
He  stretched  out  his  hand  and  pointed  to 
their  riding-boots.  "Whither  away,  so  late 
at  night?"  he  asked. 

"  First  together  to  the  lodge,  to  find  you ; 
then  I  alone  to  the  frontier,"  said  Mr. 
RasseadylL 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR !       345 

"One  thing  at  a  time.  The  frontier  will 
wait.  What  does  Your  Majesty  want  with 
me  at  the  lodge  ?  " 

**  I  want  so  to  contrive  that  I  shall  be  no 
longer  Your  Majesty,"  said  Rudolf. 

Sapt  flung  himself  in  a  chair  and  took  off 
his  gloves. 

"Come,  tell  me  what  has  happened  to-day 
in  Strelsau,*    he  said. 

We  gave  a  short  and  hurried  account.  He 
listened  with  few  signs  of  approval  or  dis- 
approval ;  but  I  thought  I  saw  a  gleam  in  his 
eyes  when  I  described  how  all  the  city  had 
hailed  Rudolf  as  its  King,  and  the  Queen 
received  him  as  her  husband  before  the  eyes 
of  all.  Again  the  hope  and  vision,  shattered 
by  Rudolf's  calm  resolution,  inspired  me. 
Sapt  said  little,  but  he  had  the  air  of  a  man 
with  some  news  in  reserve.  He  seemed  to 
be  comparing  what  we  told  him  with  some- 
thing already  known  to  him  but  unknown  to 
us.  The  little  servant  stood  all  the  while 
in  respectful  silence  by  the  door;  but  I  could 
see  by  a  glance  at  his  alert  face  that  he 
followed  the  whole  scene  v/ith  keen  attention. 

At  the  end  of  the  story  Rudolf  turned  to 
Sapt. 

"And  your  secret — is  it  safe?"  he  asked. 

«*  Aye,  it 's  safe  enough." 

"  Nobody  has  seen  what  you  had  to  hide  ?  " 

"  No ;  and  nobody  knows  that  the  King  is 
dead,"  answered  Sap'. 


34^  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"  Then  what  brings  you  here  ?  " 

**  Why,  the  same  thing  that  was  about  to 
bring  you  to  the  lodge :  the  need  of  a  meet- 
ing between  yourself  and  me,  sire." 

**  But  the  lodge, — is  it  left  unguarded  ?  " 

"The  lodge  is  safe  enough,"  said  Colonel 
Sapt. 

Unquestionably  there  was  a  secret,  a  new 
secret,  hidden  behind  the  curt  words  and 
brusque  manner.  I  could  restrain  myself  no 
longer,  and  sprang  forward,  saying: 

"  What  is  it  ?    Tell  us.  Constable  !  " 

He  looked  at  me,  then  glanced  at  Mr. 
Rassendyll. 

"I  should  like  to  hear  your  plan  first,"  he 
said  to  Rudolf.  **  How  do  you  mean  to  account 
for  your  presence  alive  in  the  city  to-day, 
when  the  King  has  lain  dead  in  the  hunting- 
lodge  since  last  night  ?  " 

We  drew  closer  together  as  Rudolf  began 
his  answer.  Sapt  alone  lay  back  in  his  chair. 
The  Queen  also  had  resumed  her  seat;  she 
seemed  to  pay  little   heed  to  what  we   said. 

I  think  that  she  was  still  engrossed  with 
the  struggle  and  tumult  in  her  own  soul. 
The  sin  of  which  she  accused  herself,  and 
the  joy  to  which  her  whole  being  sprang  in 
a  greeting  which  would  not  be  abashed,  were 
at  strife  between  themselves,  but  joined  hands 
to  exclude  from  her  mind  any  other  thought. 

"  In  an  hour  I  must  be  gone  from  here," 
began  Rudolf. 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR !       347 

"If  you  wish  that,  it's  easy,"  observed 
Colonel  Sapt. 

**'  Come,  Sapt,  be  reasonable,"  smiled  Mr. 
Rassendyll.  "  Early  to-morrow  we,  you  and 
I " 

"  Oh,  I  also  ?  "  asked  the  Colonel. 

"  Yes :  you,  Bernenstein,  and  I  will  be  at 
the  lodge." 

"That's  not  impossible,  though  I  have  had 
nearly  enough  riding." 

Rudolf  fixed  his  eyes  firmly  on  Sapt's. 

"You  see,"  said  he,  "the  King  reaches  his 
hunting-lodge  early  in  the  morning." 

"  I  follow  you,  sire." 

"And  what  happens  there,  Sapt?  Does  he 
shoot  himself  accidentally  ?  " 

"Well,  that  happens  sometimes.'* 

"Or  does  an  assassin  kill  him?" 

"  Eh,  but  you  've  made  the  best  assassin 
unavailable." 

Even  at  this  moment  I  could  not  help 
smiling  at  the  old  fellow's  surly  wit  and 
Rudolf's  amused  tolerance  of  it. 

"  Or  does  his  faithful  attendant,  Herbert, 
shoot  him  ?  " 

"What,  make  poor  Herbert  a  murderer?" 

"Oh,  no!  By  accident — and  then,  in  re- 
morse,  kill  himself." 

"That's  very  pretty.  But  doctors  have 
awkward  views  as  to  when  a  man  can  have 
shot  himself." 

"My  good   Constable,   doctors  have  palms 


348  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

as  v/ell  as  ideas.      If  you   fill   the    one  you 
supply  the  other." 

*'I  think,"  said  Sapt,  "that  both  the  plans 
are  good.  Suppose  we  choose  the  latter, 
what  then  ?  " 

"Why,  then,  by  to-morrow  at  mid-day  the 
news  flashes  through  Ruritania — yes,  and 
through  Europe — that  the  King,  miraculously 
preserved  to-day " 

**  Praise  be  to  God !  "  interjected  Colonel 
Sapt;  and  young  Eernenstein  laughed. 

<* — Has   met   a  tragic  end." 

"  It  will   occasion   great   grief,"   said   Sapt. 

"Meanwhile  I  am  safe  over  the  frontier." 

"  Oh,   you  're   quite   safe  ?  " 

"  Absolutely.  And  in  the  afternoon  of  to- 
morrow, you  and  Eernenstein  will  set  out 
for  Strelsau,  bringing  with  you  the  body  of 
the  King."  And  Rudolf,  after  a  pause,  whis- 
pered :  "  You  must  shave  his  face.  And  if 
the  doctors  want  to  talk  about  how  long  he 's 
been  dead,  why,  they  have,  as  I  say,  palms." 

Sapt  sat  silent  for  awhile,  apparently  con- 
sidering the  scheme.  It  was  risky  enough 
in  all  conscience,  but  success  had  made  Rudolf 
bold,  and  he  had  learnt  how  slow  suspicion 
is  if  a  deception  be  bold  enough.  It  is  only 
likely  frauds  that  are   detected. 

"  Well,  what  do  you  say  ? "  asked  Mr. 
Rassendyll.  I  observed  that  he  said  nothing 
to  Sapt  of  what  the  Queen  and  he  had 
determined  to  do  afterwards. 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR  1   349 

Sapt  wrinkled  his  forehead.  I  saw  him 
glance  at  James,  and  the  slightest  briefest 
smile   showed   on  James's  face. 

"It's  dangerous,  of  course,"  pursued  Ru- 
dolf. '•  But  I  believe  that  when  they  see 
the   King's  body " 

"That's  the  point,"  interrupted  Sapt. 
"They  can't   see   the   King's   body." 

Rudolf  looked  at  him  with  some  surprise. 
Then  speaking  in  a  low  voice,  lest  the 
Queen  should  hear  and  be  distressed,  he 
went  on  : 

"  You  must  prepare  it,  you  know.  Bring 
it  here  in  a  shell ;  only  a  few  officials  need 
see  the   face." 

Sapt  rose  to  his  feet  and  stood  before  Mr. 
Rassendyll. 

"The  plan's  a  pretty  one,  but  it  breaks 
down  at  one  point,"  said  he  in  a  strange 
voice,  even  harsher  than  his  was  wont  to 
be.  I  was  on  fire  with  excitement,  for  I 
would  have  staked  my  life  now  that  he  had 
some  strange  tidings  for  us.  "  There  is  no 
body,"   said  he. 

Even  Mr.  Rassendyll' s  composure  gave 
way.  He  sprang  forward,  catching  Sapt  by 
the   arm. 

"No  body?  What  do  you  mean?"  he 
exclaimed. 

Sapt  cast  another  glance  at  James,  and 
then  began  in  an  even  mechanical  voice,  as 
though   he    were    reciting    a    lesson    he    had 


350  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

learnt,  or  playing  a  part  that  habit  made 
familiar : 

"  That  poor  fellow  Herbert  carelessly  left 
a  candle  burning  where  the  oil  and  the  v>70od 
were  kept,"  he  said.  "  This  afternoon,  about 
six,  James  and  I  lay  down  for  a  nap  after 
our  meal.  At  about  seven  James  came  to  my 
side  and  roused  me.  My  room  was  full  of 
smoke.  The  lodge  was  ablaze.  I  darted 
from  my  bed :  the  fire  had  made  too  much 
headway,   we  could   not   hope  to  quench  it ; 

we  had  but   one  thought "     He  suddenly 

paused,  and  looked  at  James. 

<*But  one  thought,  to  save  our  companion," 
said  James  gravely. 

"  But  one  thought,  to  save  our  companion. 
We  rushed  to  the  door  of  the  room  where  he 
was.  I  opened  the  door  and  tried  to  enter. 
It  was  certain  death.  James  tried,  but  fell 
back.  Again  I  rushed  in.  James  pulled  me 
back:  it  was  but  another  death.  We  had  to 
save  ourselves.  We  gained  the  open  door. 
The  lodge  was  a  sheet  of  flame.  We  could 
do  nothing  but  stand  watching,  till  the  swiftly 
burning  wood  blackened  to  ashes  and  the 
flames  died  down.  ^  As  we  watched  we  knew 
that  all  in  the  cottage  must  be  dead.  What 
could  we  do  ?  At  last  James  started  off"  in 
the  hope  of  getting  help.  He  found  a  party 
of  charcoal-burners,  and  they  came  with  him. 
The  flames  had  burnt  down  now ;  and  we 
and     they    approaciied     the    charred    ruins. 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR  I       351 

Everything  was  in  ashes.  But" — he  lowered 
his  voice — "we  found  what  seemed  to  be  the 
body  of  Boris  the  hound ;  in  another  room 
was  a  charred  corpse,  whose  hunting-horn, 
melted  to  a  molten  mass,  told  us  it  had  been 
Herbert  the  forester.  And  there  was  another 
corpse,  almost  shapeless,  utterly  unrecognis- 
able. We  saw  it;  the  charcoal-burners  saw 
it.  Then  more  peasants  came  round,  drawn 
by  the  sight  of  the  flames.  None  could  tell 
who  it  was ;  only  I  and  James  knew.  And 
we  mounted  our  horses  and  have  ridden  here 
to  tell  the  King." 

Sapt  finished  his  lesson  or  his  story.  A  sob 
burst  from  the  Queen,  and  she  hid  her  face  in 
her  hands.  Bernenstein  and  I,  amazed  at  this 
strange  tale,  scarcely  understanding  whether  it 
were  jest  or  earnest,  stood  staring  stupidly  at 
Sapt.  Then  I,  overcome  by  the  strange  thing, 
turned  half-foolish  by  the  bizarre  mingling  of 
comedy  and  impressiveness  in  Sapt's  render- 
ing of  it,  plucked  him  by  the  sleeve,  and  asked, 
with  something  between  a  laugh  and  a  gasp : 

"  Who  had  that  other  corpse  been,  Con- 
stable?" 

He  turned  his  small  keen  eyes  on  me  in 
persistent  gravity  and  unflinching  eff"rontery : 

*'A  Mr.  Rassendyll,  a  friend  of  the  King's, 
who  with  his  servant  James  was  awaiting  His 
Majesty's  return  from  Strelsau.  His  servant 
here  is  ready  to  start  for  England  to  tell  Mr. 
Rassendyll's  relatives  the  news." 


S5^  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

The  Queen  had  begun  to  listen  before  now ; 
her  eyes  were  fixed  on  Sapt,  and  she  had 
stretched  out  one  arm  to  him,  as  if  imploring 
him  to  read  her  his  riddle.  But  a  few  words 
had  in  truth  declared  his  device  plainly  enough 
in  all  its  simplicity.  Rudolf  Rassendyll  was 
dead,  his  body  burnt  to  a  cinder,  and  the  King 
was  alive,  whole,  and  on  his  throne  in  Strelsau. 
Thus  had  Sapt  caught  from  James  the  servant 
the  infection  of  his  madness,  and  had  fulfilled 
in  action  the  strange  imagination  which  the 
little  man  had  unfolded  to  him  in  order  to 
pass  their  idle  hours  at  the  lodge. 

Suddenly  Mr.  Rassendyll  spoke  in  clear 
short  tones : 

"This  is  all  a  lie,  Sapt,"  said  he,  and  his 
lips  curled  in  contemptuous  amusement. 

'•It's  no  lie  that  the  lodge  is  burnt  and  the 
bodies  in  it,  and  that  half  a  hundred  of  the 
peasants  know  it,  and  that  no  man  could  tell 
the  body  for  the  King's.  As  for  the  rest,  it  is 
a  lie.  But  I  think  the  truth  in  it  is  enough  to 
serve." 

The  two  men  stood  facing  one  another  with 
defiant  eyes.  Rudolf  had  caught  the  meaning 
of  the  great  and  audacious  trick  which  Sapt 
and  his  companion  had  played.  It  was  im- 
possible now  to  bring  the  King's  body  to 
Strelsau  ;  it  seemed  no  less  impossible  to 
declare  that  the  man  burnt  in  the  lodge  was 
the  King.  Thus  Sapt  had  forced  Rudolf's 
hand ;    he    had    been    inspired    by  the  same 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR  I       353 


vision  as  we,  and  endowed  with  more  un- 
shrinking boldness.  But  when  I  saw  how 
Rudolf  looked  at  him,  I  did  not  know  but  that 
they  would  go  from  the  Queen's  presence 
set  on  a  deadly  quarrel.  Mr.  Rassendyll, 
however,  mastered  his  temper. 

"  You  're  all  bent  on  having  me  a  rascal," 
he  said  coldly.  "  Fritz  and  Bernenstein  here 
urge  me  ;  you,  Sapt,  try  to  force  me.  James 
there  is  in  the  plot,  for  all  I  know." 

"I  suggested  it,  sir,"  said  James,  not  defi- 
antly or  with  disrespect,  but  as  in  simple 
dutiful  obedience  to  his  master's  implied 
question. 

♦'As  I  thought— all  of  you  !  Well,  I  won't 
be  forced.  I  see  now  that  there  's  no  way 
out  of  this  affair,  save  one.  That  one  I  '11 
follow." 

We  none  of  us  spoke,  but  waited  till  he 
should  be  pleased  to  continue. 

"Of  the  Queen's  letter  I  need  say  nothing, 
and  will  say  nothing,"  he  pursued.  *•  But  I 
will  tell  them  that  I  'm  not  the  King,  but 
Rudolf  Rassendyll ;  and  that  I  played  the 
King  only  in  order  to  serve  the  Queen  and 
punish  Rupert  of  Hentzau.  That  will  serve, 
and  it  will  cut  this  net  of  Sapt's  from  about 
my  limbs." 

He  spoke  firmly  and  coldly,  so  that  when 

I   looked   at   him  I  was  amazed  to  see  how 

his  lips  twitched  and   that   his   forehead  was 

moist  with  sweat.     Then  I   understood. what 

23 


354  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

a  sudden,  swift,  and  fearful  struggle  he  had 
suffered,  and  how  the  great  temptation  had 
wrung  and  tortured  him  before  he,  victorious, 
had  set  the  thing  behind  him.  I  v/ent  to  him 
and  clasped  his  hand  :  this  action  of  mine 
seemed  to  soften  him. 

**Sapt,  Sapt,"  he  said,  "you  almost  made  a 
rogue  of  me  !  " 

Sapt  did  not  respond  to  his  gentler  mood. 
He  had  been  pacing  angrily  up  and  down 
the  room.  Now  he  stopped  abruptly  before 
Rudolf,  and  pointed  with  his  finger  at  the 
Queen. 

"I  make  a  rogue  of  you!"  he  exclaimed. 
"And  what  do  you  make  of  our  Queen,  whom 
we  all  serve  ?  What  does  this  truth  that 
you  '11  tell  make  of  her  ?  Haven't  I  heard 
how  she  greeted  you  before  all  Strelsau  as 
her  husband  and  her  love  ?  "Will  they  believe 
that  she  didn't  know  her  husband  ?  Aye,  you 
may  show  yourself,  you  may  say  they  didn't 
know  you.  Will  they  believe  she  didn't  ? 
Was  the  King's  ring  on  your  finger  ?  Where 
is  it  ?  And  how  comes  Mr.  Rassendyll  to  be 
at  Fritz  von  Tarlenheim's  for  hours  with  the 
Queen,  when  the  King  is  at  his  hunting-lodge  ? 
A  king  has  died  already,  and  tv/o  men  besides, 
to  save  a  word  against  her.  And  you  —you  '11 
be  the  man  to  set  every  tongue  in  Strelsau 
talking,  and  every  finger  pointing  in  suspicion 
at  her  !  " 

Rudolf  made  no  ^nsv/er.     When  Sapt  had 


FOR  OUR  LOVE  AND  HER  HONOUR  1       353 

first  uttered  the  Queen's  name,  he  had  drawn 
near  and  let  his  hand  fall  over  the  back  of  her 
chair.  She  put  hers  up  to  meet  it,  and  so  they 
remained.  But  I  saw  that  Rudolf's  face  had 
gone  very  pale. 

"And  we,  your  friends?"  pursued  Sapt. 
*'  For  we  've  stood  by  you  as  we  've  stood  by 
the  Queen,  by  God  we  have :  Fritz  and  young 
Bernenstein  here,  and  I.  If  this  truth  's 
told,  who  '11  believe  that  we  were  loyal  to  the 
King,  that  we  didn't  know,  that  we  weren't 
accomplices  in  the  tricking  of  the  King — 
maybe  in  his  murder  ?  Ah,  Rudolf  Rassendyll, 
God  preserve  me  from  a  conscience  that  won't 
let  me  be  true  to  the  woman  I  love  or  to 
the  friends  who  love  me  ! " 

I  had  never  seen  the  old  fellow  so  moved ; 
he  carried  me  with  him,  as  he  carried  Ber- 
nenstein. I  know  now  that  we  were  too 
ready  to  be  convinced ;  rather  that,  borne 
along  by  our  passionate  desire,  we  needed  no 
convincing  at  all.  His  excited  appeal  seemed 
to  us  an  argument.  At  least  the  danger  to 
the  Queen  on  which  he  dwelt  was  real  and 
true  and  great. 

Then  a  sudden  change  came  over  him.  He 
caught  Rudolf's  hand  and  spoke  to  him  again 
in  a  low  broken  voice,  an  unwonted  softness 
transforming  his  harsh  tones. 

"  Lad,"  he  said,  "  don't  say  *  No  ! '  Here  's 
the  finest  lady  alive  sick  for  her  lover,  and 
the  finest  country  in  the  world  sick   for  iti 


356  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

true  king,  and  the  best  friends  —  aye,  by 
Heaven,  the  best  friends — man  ever  had,  sick 
to  call  you  master.  I  know  nothing  about 
your  conscience,  but  this  I  know  :  the  King 's 
dead,  and  the  place  is  empty;  and  I  don't 
see  what  Almighty  God  sent  you  here  for 
unless  it  was  to  fill  it.  Come,  lad — for  our 
love  and  her  honour  !  While  he  was  alive 
I  *d  have  killed  you  sooner  than  let  you  take 
it.  He  's  dead.  Now — for  our  love  and  her 
honour,  lad  ! " 

I  do  not  know  what  thoughts  passed  in 
Mr.  Rassendyll's  mind.  His  face  was  set 
and  rigid.  He  made  no  sign  when  Sapt 
finished,  but  stood  as  he  was,  motionless,  for 
a  long  while.  Then  he  slowly  bent  his  head 
and  looked  down  into  the  Queen's  eyes.  For 
a  while  she  sat  looking  back  into  his.  Then 
carried  away  by  the  wild  hope  of  immediate 
joy,  and  by  her  love  for  him,  and  her  pride 
in  the  place  he  was  offered,  she  sprang  up 
and  threw  herself  at  his  feet,  crying : 

**Yes,  yes!  For  my  sake,  Rudolf— for  my 
sake  !  " 

"Are  you  too  against  me,  my  Queen?"  he 
murmured,  caressing  her  ruddy  hair. 


CHAPTER    XX. 
THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN. 

WE  were  half  mad  that  night,  Sapt 
and  Bernenstein  and  I.  The  thing 
seemed  to  have  got  into  our  blood 
and  to  have  become  part  of  ourselves.  For 
us  it  was  inevitable — nay,  it  was  done. 
Sapt  busied  himself  in  preparing  the  account 
of  the  fire  at  the  hunting-lodge  ;  it  was 
to  be  communicated  to  the  journals,  and 
it  told  with  much  circumstantiality  how 
Rudolf  Rassendyll  had  come  to  visit  the 
King,  with  James  his  servant,  and,  the 
King  being  summoned  unexpectedly  to  the 
capital,  had  been  awaiting  His  Majesty's 
return  when  he  met  his  fate.  There  was  a 
short  history  of  Rudolf,  a  glancing  reference 
to  his  family,  a  dignified  expression  of  con- 
dolence with  his  relatives,  to  whom  the  King 
was  sending  messages  of  deepest  regret  by 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Rassendyll's  servant.  At 
another  table  young  Bernenstein  was  draw- 
ing up,  under  the  Constable's  direction,  a 
narrative  of  Rupert  of  Hentzau's  attempt 
on  the  King's  life  and  the  King's  courage 
in  defending  himself.  The  Count,  eager  to 
return  (so  it  ran),  had  persuaded  the  King 
to  meet  him  by  declaring  that  he  held  a  State 


337 


358  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

document  of  great  importance  and  of  a  most 
secret  nature ;  the  King,  with  his  habitual 
fearlessness,  had  gone  alone,  but  only  to 
refuse  with  scorn  Count  Rupert's  terms. 
Enraged  at  this  unfavourable  reception,  the 
audacious  criminal  had  made  a  sudden  attack 
on  the  King,  with  what  issue  all  knew.  He 
had  met  his  own  death,  while  the  King,  per- 
ceiving from  a  glance  at  the  document  that 
it  compromised  well  known  -  persons,  had, 
with  the  nobility  which  marked  him,  destroyed 
it  unread  before  the  eyes  of  those  who  were 
rushing  in  to  his  rescue.  I  supplied  sugges- 
tions and  improvements ;  and,  engrossed  in 
contriving  how  to  blind  curious  eyes,  we 
forgot  the  real  and  permanent  difficulties  of 
the  thing  we  had  resolved  upon.  For  us 
they  did  not  exist :  Sapt  met  every  objection 
by  declaring  that  the  thing  had  been  done 
once  and  could  be  done  again.  Bernenstein 
and  I  were  not  behind  him  in  confidence. 
We  would  guard  the  secret  with  brain  and 
hand  and  life,  even  as  we  had  guarded  and 
kept  the  secret  of  the  Queen's  letter,  which 
would  now  go  with  Rupert  of  Hentzau  to 
his  grave.  Bauer  we  could  catch  and  silence  : 
nay,  who  would  listen  to  such  a  tale  from 
such  a  man  ?  Rischenheim  was  ours ;  the 
old  woman  would  keep  her  doubts  between 
her  teeth  for  her  own  sake.  To  his  own  land 
and  his  own  people  Rudolf  must  be  dead, 
while    the    King    of    Ruritania    would    stand 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  359 

before  all  Europe,  recognised,  unquestioned, 
unassailed.  True,  he  must  marry  the  Queen 
again  ;  Sapt  was  ready  with  the  means,  and 
would  hear  nothing  of  the  difficulty  and  risk 
in  finding  a  hand  to  perform  the  necessary 
ceremony.  If  we  quailed  in  our  courage,  we 
had  but  to  look  at  the  alternative,  and  find 
recompense  for  the  perils  of  what  we  meant 
to  undertake  by  a  consideration  of  the 
desperate  risk  involved  in  abandoning  it. 
Persuaded  that  the  substitution  of  Rudolf  for 
the  King  was  the  only  thing  which  would 
serve  our  turn,  we  asked  no  longer  whether 
it  were  possible,  but  sought  only  the  means 
to  make  it  safe  and  yet  more  safe. 

But  Rudolf  himself  had  not  spoken.  Sapt'a 
appeal  and  the  Queen's  imploring  cry  had 
shaken  but  not  overcome  him  ;  he  had  wa- 
vered, but  he  was  not  won.  Yet  there  was 
no  talk  of  impossibility  or  peril  in  his  mouth, 
any  more  than  in  ours :  those  were  not  what 
gave  him  pause.  The  score  on  which  he 
hesitated  was  whether  the  thing  should  be 
done,  not  whether  it  could ;  our  appeals  were 
not  to  brace  a  failing  courage,  but  to  cajole 
a  sturdy  sense  of  honour  which  found  the 
imposture  distasteful  so  soon  as  it  seemed 
to  serve  a  personal  end.  To  save  the  King 
he  had  played  the  King  in  old  days,  but  he 
did  not  love  to  play  the  King  when  the  profit 
of  it  was  to  be  his  own.  Hence  he  was 
unmoved   till  his    care   for    the  fair  fame   of 


360  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

the  Queen  and  the  love  of  his  friends  joined 
to  buffet  his  resolution.  Then  he  faltered ; 
but  he  had  not  fallen.  Yet  Colonel  Sapt  did 
all  as  though  he  had  given  his  assent,  and 
watched  the  last  hours  in  which  his  flight 
from  Strelsau  was  possible  go  quickly  by  with 
more  than  equanimity.  Why  hurry  Rudolf's 
resolve  ?  Every  moment  shut  him  closer  in 
the  trap  of  an  inevitable  choice.  With  every 
hour  that  he  was  called  the  King,  it  became 
more  impossible  for  him  to  bear  any  other 
name  all  his  days.  Therefore  Sapt  let  Mr. 
Rassendyll  doubt  and  struggle,  while  he 
himself  wrote  his  story  and  laid  his  long- 
headed plans.  And  now  and  then  James  the 
little  servant  came  in  and  went  out,  sedate 
and  smug,  but  with  a  quiet  satisfaction 
gleaming  in  his  eyes.  He  had  made  a  story 
for  a  pastime,  and  it  was  being  translated 
into  history.  He  at  least  would  bear  his  part 
in  it  unflinchingly. 

Before  now  the  Queen  nad  left  us,  per- 
suaded to  lie  down  and  try  to  rest  till  the 
matter  should  be  settled.  Stilled  by  Rudolf's 
gentle  rebuke,  she  had  urged  him  no  more 
in  words,  but  there  was  an  entreaty  in  her 
eyes  stronger  than  any  spoken  prayer,  and 
a  piteousness  in  the  lingering  of  her  hand  in 
his  harder  to  resist  than  ten  thousand  sad 
petitions.  At  last  he  had  led  her  from  the 
room  and  commended  her  to  Helga's  care. 
Then,  returning  to  us,  he  stood  silent  a  liltle 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  361 

while.  We  also  were  silent,  Sapt  sitting  and 
looking  up  at  him  with  his  brows  knit  and 
his  teeth  restlessly  chewing  the  moustache 
on  his  lip. 

"  Well,  lad  ?  "  he  said  at  last,  briefly  putting 
the  great  question. 

Rudolf  walked  to  the  window  and  seemed 
to  lose  himself  for  a  moment  in  the  contem- 
plation of  the  quiet  night.  There  were  no 
more  than  a  few  stragglers  in  the  street  now  ; 
the  moon  shone  white  and  clear  on  the  empty 
Square. 

' '  I  should  like  to  walk  up  and  down  outside 
and  think  it  over,"  he  said,  turning  to  us ; 
and,  as  Bernenstein  sprang  up  to  accompany 
him,  he  added,  *'  No.     Alone." 

"Yes,  do,"  said  old  Sapt,  with  a  glance  at 
the  clock,  whose  hands  were  now  hard  on 
two  o'clock.  "Take  your  time,  lad,  take 
your  time." 

Rudolf  looked  at  him  and  broke  into  a 
smile. 

"  I  'm  not  your  dupe,  old  Sapt,"  said  he, 
shaking  his  head.  "  Trust  me,  if  I  decide  to 
get  away,  I'll  get  away,  be  it  what  o'clock 
it  will." 

**  Yes,  confound  you  I "  grinned  Colonel 
Sapt. 

So  he  left  us,  and  then  came  that  long 
time  of  scheming  and  planning  and  most 
persistent  eye -shutting,  in  which  occupations 
an  hour  wore  its  life  away.     Rudolf  had  not 


36a  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

passed  out  of  the  porch,  and  we  supposed 
that  he  had  betaken  himself  to  the  gardens, 
there  to  fight  his  battle.  Old  Sapt,  having 
done  his  work,  suddenly  turned  talkative. 

**That  moon  there,*'  he  said,  pointing  his 
square  thick  forefinger  at  the  window,  "  is 
a  mighty  untrustworthy  lady.  I  *ve  known 
her  wake  a  villain's  conscience  before  now." 

"I've  known  her  send  a  lover's  to  sleep," 
laughed  young  Bernenstein,  rising  from  his 
table,  stretching  himself,  and  lighting  a  cigar. 

"  Aye,  she  *s  apt  to  take  a  man  out  of  what 
he  is,"  pursued  old  Sapt.  "  Set  a  quiet 
man  near  her,  and  he  dreams  of  battle ; 
an  ambitious  fellow,  after  ten  minutes  of  her, 
will  ask  nothing  better  than  to  muse  all 
his  life  away.  I  don't  trust  her,  Fritz ;  I 
wish  the  night  were   dark." 

"What  will  she  do  to  Rudolf  Rassendyll?" 
I  asked,  falling  in  with  the  old  fellow's 
whimsical  mood. 

"He  will   see  the    Queen's  face  in  hers, 
cried  Bernenstein. 

"  He  may  see  God's,"  said  Sapt ;  and  he 
shook  himself  as  though  an  unwelcome 
thought  had  found  its  way  to  his  mind  and  lips. 

A  pause  fell  on  us,  born  of  the  Colonel's 
last  remark.  We  looked  one  another  in 
the  face.  At  last  i5apt  brought  his  hand 
down   on  the  table   with   a  bang. 

"I'll  not  go  back!"  he  said  sullenly, 
almost  fiercely. 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  363 

**  Nor  I,"  said  Bernenstein,  drawing  him- 
self up.     "  Nor   you,  Tarlenheim  ?  " 

♦'  No,  I  also  go  on,"  I  answered.  Then 
again   there   was   a   moment's   silence. 

"  She  may  make  a  man  soft  as  a  sponge," 
reflected  Sapt,  starting  again,  "  or  hard  as 
a  bar  of  steel.  I  should  feel  safer  if  the 
night  were  dark.  I  've  looked  at  her  often 
from  my  tent  and  from  bare  ground,  and  I 
know  her.  She  got  me  a  decoration,  and 
once  she  came  near  to  making  me  turn 
tail.  Have  nothing  to  do  with  her,  young 
Bernenstein." 

"I'll  keep  my  eyes  for  beauties  nearer 
at  hand,"  said  Bernenstein,  whose  volatile 
temper   soon   threw   off   a   serious   mood. 

"There's  a  chance  for  you,  now  Rupert 
of  Hentzau's  gone,"  said  Sapt  grimly. 

As  he  spoke  there  was  a  knock  at  the 
door.     When  it  opened,  James  entered. 

"The  Count  of  Luzau-Rischenheim  begs 
to  be  allowed  to  speak  with  the  King," 
said  James. 

"  We  expect  His  Majesty  every  moment. 
Beg  the  Count  to  enter,"  Sapt  answered; 
and,  when  Rischenheim  came  in,  he  went 
on,  motioning  the  Count  to  a  chair :  "  Wc 
are  talking,  my  lord,  of  the  influence  of  the 
moon   on  the  careers  of  men." 

"  What  arc  you  going  to  do  ?  What  have 
you  decided  ? "  burst  out  Rischenheim  im- 
patiently. 


364  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"We  decide  nothing,"  answered   Sapt. 

"Then  what  has  Mr. — what  has  the  King 
decided  ?  " 

"  The  King  decides  nothing,  my  lord. 
She  decides,"  and  the  old  fellow  pointed 
again  through  the  window  towards  the 
moon.  "At  this  moment  she  makes  or  un- 
makes a  king ;  but  I  can't  tell  you  which. 
What  of  your  cousin?" 

"You  know  that  my  cousin's  dead." 

"  Yes,  I  know  that.     What  of  him,  though?" 

"  Sir,"  said  Rischenheim  with  some 
dignity,  "since  he  is  dead,  let  him  rest  in 
peace.     It  is  not  for  us  to   judge  him." 

"  He  may  well  wish  it  were.  For,  by 
heaven,  I  believe  I  should  let  the  rogue 
off,"  said  Colonel  Sapt,  "and  I  don't  think 
his  Judge  will." 

"God  forgive  him,  I  loved  him,"  said 
Rischenheim.  "Yes,  and  many  have  loved 
him.     His  servants  loved  him,  sir.'* 

"Friend  Bauer,  for  example?" 

"  Yes,  Bauer  loved  him.    Where  is  Bauer?" 

"  I  hope  he  is  gone  to  hell  with  his 
loved  master,"  grunted  Sapt,  but  he  had  the 
grace  to  lower  his  voice  and  shield  his 
mouth  with  his  hand,  so  that  Rischenheim 
did  not  hear. 

"  Wc  don't  know  where  he  is,"  I  answered. 

"I  am  come,"  said  Rischenheim,  "to  put 
my  services  in  all  respects  at  the  Queen's 
disposal." 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  365 

"And  at  the   King's?"  asked   Sapt. 

"At   the  King's?      But  the  King  is  dead." 

"Therefore  *Long  live  the  King!'"  struck 
in  young  Bernenstein. 

"  If   there    should    be    a    King "   began 

Sapt. 

"You'll  do  that?"  interrupted  Rischenheim 
in  breathless  agitation. 

"  She  is  deciding,"  said  Colonel  Sapt,  and 
again   he  pointed   to  the  moon. 

"But  she's  a  plaguy  long  time  about  it," 
remarked  Lieutenant  von   Bernenstein. 

Rischenheim  sat  silent  for  a  moment. 
His  face  was  pale,  and  when  he  spoke  his 
voice  trembled.  But  his  words  were  resolute 
enough. 

"  I  gave  my  honour  to  the  Queen,  and 
even  in  that  I  will  serve  her  if  she  com- 
mands me." 

Bernenstein  sprang  forward  and  caught 
him  by  the  hand. 

"That's  what  I  like,"  said  he,  "and  damn 
the  moon.  Colonel !  " 

His  sentence  was  hardly  out  of  his  mouth 
when  the  door  opened,  and  to  our  astonish- 
ment the  Queen  entered.  Helga  was  just 
behind ;  her  clasped  hands  and  frightened 
eyes  seemed  to  protest  that  their  com- 
ing was  against  her  will.  The  Queen  was 
clad  in  a  long  white  robe,  and  her  hair 
hung  on  her  .«4houlders,  being  but  loosely 
bound  with  a  riband.     Her  air  showed  great 


366  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

agitation,  and  without  any  greeting  or  notice 
of  the  rest  she  walked  quickly  across  the 
room  to  me. 

"The  dream,  Fritz!"  she  said.  "It  has 
come  again.  Helga  persuaded  me  to  lie 
down,  and  I  was  very  tired,  so  at  last  I 
fell  asleep.  Then  it  came.  I  saw  him, 
Fritz — I  saw  him  as  plainly  as  I  see  you. 
They  all  called  him  King,  as  they  did 
to-day ;  but  they  did  not  cheer.  They  were 
quiet,  and  looked  at  him  with  sad  faces. 
I  could  not  hear  what  they  said ;  they 
spoke  in  hushed  voices.  I  heard  nothing 
more  than  *  The  King,  the  King,'  and  he 
seemed  to  hear  not  even  that.  He  lay  still ; 
he  was  lying  on  something,  something 
covered  with  hanging  stuff,  I  couldn't  see 
what  it  was ;  yes,  quite  still.  His  face  was 
so  pale,  and  he  didn't  hear  them  say  *  The 
King.'  Fritz,  Fritz,  he  looked  as  if  he  were 
dead  1  Where  is  he  ?  Where  have  you  let 
him  go?" 

She  turned  from  me  and  her  eyes  flashed 
over  the  rest. 

"  Where  is  he  ?  Why  aren't  you  with 
him?"  she  demanded,  with  a  sudden  change 
of  tone.  "Why  aren't  you  round  him  ?  You 
should  be  between  him  and  danger,  ready 
to  give  your  lives  for  his.  Indeed,  gentle- 
men,  you  take  your  duty  lightly." 

It  might  be  that  there  was  little  reason 
in    her   words.      There    appeared    to    be    fto 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  367 

danger  threatening  him ;  and  after  all  he 
was  not  our  King,  much  as  we  desired  to 
make  him  such.  Yet  we  did  not  think  of 
any  such  matter.  We  were  abashed  before 
her  reproof  and  took  her  indignation  as 
deserved.  We  hung  our  heads,  and  Sapt's 
shame  betrayed  itself  in  the  dogged  sullen- 
ness   of  his   answer. 

*'  Fie  has  chosen  to  go  walking,  madame, 
and  to  go  alone.  He  ordered  us — I  say, 
he  ordered  us  not  to  come.  Surely  we 
are  right  to   obey  him?" 

The  sarcastic  inflection  of  his  voice  con- 
veyed his  opinion  of  the  Queen's  extrava- 
gance. 

*•  Obey  him  ?  Yes.  You  couldn't  go  with 
him  if  he  forbade  you.  But  you  should 
follow   him,  you  should   keep   him   in   sight." 

This  much  she  spoke  in  proud  tones  and 
with  a  disdainful  manner,  but  then  came  a 
sudden  return  to  her  former  bearing.  She 
held   out   her  hands   towards  me,   wailing : 

*♦  Fritz,  where  is  he  ?  Is  he  safe  ?  Find 
him   for  me,    Fritz,    find  him." 

"I'll  find  him  for  you  if  he's  above 
ground,  madame,"  I  cried,  for  her  appeal 
touched  me   to  the   heart. 

♦*  He's  no  farther  off  than  the  gardens," 
grumbled  old  Sapt,  still  resentful  of  the 
Queen's  reproof  and  scornful  of  the  woman's 
agitation.  He  was  also  out  of  temper  with 
Rudolf   himself,    because   the   moon   took   so 


368  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

long  in  deciding  whether  she  would  make  or 
unmake  a  king. 

"  The  gardens  !  "  she  cried.  '♦  Then  let 
us  look  for  him.  Oh,  you've  let  him  walk 
in  the  gardens  alone  ?  " 

"What  should  harm  the  fellow?"  muttered 
Sapt. 

She  did  not  hear  him,  for  she  had  swept 
out  of  the  room.  Helga  went  with  her, 
and  we  all  followed,  Sapt  behind  the  rest  of 
us,  still  very  surly.  I  heard  him  grumbling 
away  as  we  ran  downstairs  and,  having 
passed  along  the  great  corridor,  came  to 
the  small  saloon  that  opened  on  the  gardens. 
There  were  no  servants  about,  but  we 
encountered  a  night-watchman,  and  Ber- 
nenstein  snatched  the  lantern  from  the 
astonished    man's    hand. 

Save  for  the  dim  light  thus  furnished,  the 
room  was  dark.  But  outside  the  windows 
the  moon  streamed  brightly  down  on  the 
broad  gravel  walk,  on  the  formal  flower- 
beds, and  the  great  trees  in  the  gardens. 
The  Queen  made  straight  for  the  window. 
I  followed  her,  and,  having  flung  the  window 
open,  stood  by  her.  The  air  was  sweet,  and 
the  breeze  struck  with  grateful  coolness  on 
my  face.  I  saw  that  Sapt  had  come  near 
and  stood  on  the  other  side  of  the  Queen. 
My  wife  and  the  rest  were  behind,  looking 
out  where  our  shoulders  left  space. 

There,  in  the  bright  moonlight,  on  the  far 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  369 

side  of  the  broad  terrace,  close  by  the  line 
of  tall  trees  that  fringed  its  edge,  we  saw 
Rudolf  Rassendyll  pacing  slowly  up  and 
down,  with  his  hands  behind  his  back  and 
his  eyes  fixed  on  the  arbiter  of  his  fate,  on 
her  who  was  to  make  him  a  king  or  send 
him  a  fugitive  from   Strelsau. 

«* There  he  is,  madame,"  said  Sapt.  "Safe 
enough  !  " 

The  Queen  did  not  answer.  Sapt  said  no 
more,  and  of  the  rest  of  us  none  spoke. 
We  stood  watching  him  as  he  struggled 
with  his  great  issue :  a  greater  surely  has 
seldom  fallen  to  the  lot  of  any  man  bom 
in  a  private  station.  Yet  I  could  read  little 
of  it  on  the  face  that  the  rays  of  white  light 
displayed  so  clearly,  although  they  turned 
his  healthy  tints  to  a  dull  grey,  and  gave 
unnatural  sharpness  to  his  features  against 
the  deep  background  of  black   foliage. 

I  heard  the  Queen's  quick  breathing,  but 
there  was  scarcely  another  sound.  I  saw 
her  clutch  her  gown  and  pull  it  away  a  little 
from  her  throat ;  save  for  that,  none  in  the 
group  moved.  The  lantern's  light  was  too 
dim  to  force  notice  from  Mr.  Rassendyll. 
Unconscious  of  our  presence,  he  wrestled 
with  fate   that  night   in  the   gardens. 

Suddenly  the  faintest  exclamation  came 
from  Sapt.  He  put  his  hand  back  and 
beckoned  to  Bernenstein.  The  young  man 
handed    his   lantern   to    the    Constable,    who 


370  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

set  it  close  to  the  side  of  the  window-frame. 
The  Queen,  absolutely  engrossed  in  her 
lover,  saw  nothing,  but  I  perceived  what 
had  caught  Sapt's  attention.  There  were 
scores  on  the  paint  and  indentations  in  the 
wood,  just  at  the  edge  of  the  panel  and 
near  the  lock.  I  glanced  at  Sapt,  who 
nodded  his  head.  It  looked  very  much  as 
though  somebody  had  tried  to  force  the 
door  that  night,  employing  a  knife  which 
had  dented  the  woodwork  and  scratched 
the  paint.  The  least  thing  was  enough  to 
alarm  us,  standing  where  we  stood,  and 
the  Constable's  face  was  full  of  suspicion. 
Who  had  sought  an  entrance  ?  It  could  be 
no  trained  and  practised  housebreaker:  he 
would  have  had  better  tools. 

But  now  our  attention  was  again  diverted. 
Rudolf  stopped  short.  He  still  looked  for  a 
moment  at  the  sky,  then  his  glance  dropped 
to  the  ground  at  his  feet.  A  second  later 
he  jerked  his  head — it  was  bare,  and  I  saw 
the  dark-red  hair  stir  with  the  movement 
— like  a  man  who  has  settled  something 
which  caused  him  a  puzzle.  In  an  instant 
we  knew,  by  the  quick  intuition  of  con- 
tagious emotion,  that  the  question  had  found 
its  answer.  He  was  by  now  King  or  a 
fugitive.  The  Lady  of  the  Skies  had  given 
her  decision.  The  thrill  ran  through  us :  I 
felt  the  Queen  draw  herself  together  at  my 
side;    I   felt    the    muscles    of  Rischenheim's 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  371 

arm  which  rested  against  my  shoulder  grow 
rigid  and  taut.  Sapt's  face  was  full  of 
eagerness  and  he  gnawed  his  moustache 
savagely.  We  gathered  closer  to  one 
another.  At  last  we  could  bear  the 
suspense  no  longer.  With  one  look  at  the 
Queen  and  another  at  me,  Sapt  stepped  on 
to  the  gravel.  He  would  go  and  learn  the 
answer:  thus  the  unendurable  strain  that 
had  stretched  us  like  tortured  men  on  a 
rack  would  be  relieved.  The  Queen  did 
not  answer  his  glance,  nor  even  seem  to 
see  that  he  had  moved.  Her  eyes  were 
still  all  for  Mr.  Rassendyll,  her  thoughts 
buried  in  his ;  for  her  happiness  was  in 
his  hands  and  lay  poised  on  the  issue  of 
that  decision  whose  momentousness  held 
him  for  a  moment  motionless  on  the  path. 
Often  I  seem  to  see  him  as  he  stood  there, 
tall,  straight,  and  stately,  the  King  a  man's 
fancy  paints  when  he  reads  of  great 
monarchs  who  flourished  long  ago  in  the 
springtime   of   the  world. 

Sapt's  step  crunched  on  the  gravel.  Rudolf 
heard  it  and  turned  his  head.  He  saw  Sapt, 
and  he  saw  me  also  behind  Sapt.  He  smiled 
composedly  and  brightly,  but  he  did  not 
move  from  where  he  was.  He  held  out 
both  hands  towards  the  Constable  and  caught 
him  in  their  double  grasp,  still  smiling  down 
in  his  face.  I  was  no  nearer  to  reading  his 
decision,  though  I  saw  that  he  had  reached 


372  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

a  resolution  that  was  immovable  and  gave 
peace  to  his  soul.  If  he  meant  to  go  on  he 
would  go  on  now,  go  on  to  the  end,  without 
a  backward  look  or  a  falter  of  his  foot  ;  if 
he  had  chosen  the  other  way,  he  would 
depart  without  a  murmur  or  a  hesitation. 
The  Queen's  quick  breathing  had  ceased, 
she  seemed  like  a  statue  ;  but  Rischenheim 
moved  impatiently,  as  though  he  could  no 
longer  endure  the   waiting. 

Sapt's  voice  came  harsh  and  grating. 

"  Well  ?  "  he  cried.  "  Which  is  it  to  be  ? 
Backwards  or  forward  ?" 

Rudolf  pressed  his  hands  and  looked  into 
his  eyes.  The  answer  asked  but  a  word 
from  him.  The  Queen  caught  my  arm  ;  her 
rigid  limbs  seemed  to  give  way,  and  she 
would  have  fallen  if  I  had  not  supported 
her.  At  the  same  instant  a  man  sprang  out 
of  fhe  dark  line  of  tall  trees,  directly  behind 
Mr.  Rassendyll.  Bernenstein  uttered  a  loud 
startled  cry,  and  rushed  forward,  pushing 
the  Queen  herself  violently  out  of  his  path. 
His  hand  flew  to  his  side,  and  he  ripped  the 
heavy  cavalry  sword  that  belonged  to  his 
uniform  of  the  Cuirassiers  of  the  Guard  from 
its  sheath.  I  saw  it  flash  in  the  moonlight, 
but  its  flash  was  quenched  in  a  brighter 
short  blaze.  A  shot  rang  ©ut  through  the 
quiet  gardens.  Mr.  Rassendyll  did  not  loose 
his  hold  of  Sapt's  hands,  but  he  sank  slowly 
on   to   his   knees.      Sapt    seemed    paralysed. 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  373 


Again    Bernenstein    cried    out.       It    was    a 

name  this  time. 

''Bauer!     By  God,  Bauer!"  he  cried. 

In  an  instant  he  was  across  the  path  and 
by  the  trees.  The  assassin  fired  again,  but 
now  he  missed.  We  saw  the  great  sword 
flash  high  above  Bernenstein's  head  and 
heard  it  whistle  through  the  air.  It  crashed 
on  the  crown  of  Bauer's  head,  and  he  fell 
like  a  log  to  the  ground  with  his  skull  split. 
The  Queen's  hold  on  me  relaxed ;  she  sank 
into  Rischenheim's  arms.  I  ran  forward  and 
knelt  by  Mr.  Rassendyll.  He  still  held  Sapt's 
hands,  and  by  their  help  buoyed  himself  up. 
But  when  he  saw  me  he  let  go  of  them  and 
sank  back  against  me,  his  head  resting  on 
my  chest.  He  moved  his  lips,  but  seemed 
unable  to  speak.  He  was  shot  through  the 
back.  Bauer  had  aven^jed  the  master  whom 
he  loved,  and  was  gone  to  meet  him. 

There  was  a  sudden  stir  from  inside  the 
palace.  Shutters  were  flung  back  and  win- 
dows thrown  open.  The  group  we  made 
stood  clean-cut,  plainly  visible,  in  the  moon- 
light. A  moment  later  there  was  a  rush  of 
eager  feet,  and  we  were  surrounded  by 
officers  and  servants.  Bernenstein  stood  by 
me  now,  leaning  on  his  sword :  Sapt  had 
not  uttered  a  word  ;  his  face  was  distorted 
with  horror  and  bitterness.  Rudolf's  eyes 
v/ere  closed  and  his  head  lay  back  against 
me. 


374  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

"A  man  has  shot  the  King,"  said  I  in  bald 
stupid  explanation. 

All  at  once  I  found  James,  Mr.  Rassendyll's 
servant,  by  me. 

*'  I  have  sent  for  doctors,  my  lord,"  he  said. 
"Come,  let  us  carry  him  in." 

He,  Sapt,  and  I,  lifted  Rudolf  and  bore  him 
across  the  gravel  terrace  and  into  the  little 
saloon.  We  passed  the  Queen.  She  was 
leaning  on  Rischenheim's  arm  and  held  my 
wife's  hand.  We  laid  Rudolf  down  on  a 
couch.  Outside  I  heard  Bernenstein  say, 
"Pick  up  that  fellow  and  carry  him  some- 
where out  of  sight."  Then  he  also  came  in, 
followed  by  a  crowd.  He  sent  them  all  to 
the  door,  and  we  were  left  alone,  waiting  for 
the  surgeon.  The  Queen  came  up,  Rischenheim 
still  supporting  her. 

"Rudolf,  Rudolf  I"  she  whispered  very 
softly. 

He  opened  his  eyes,  and  his  lips  bent  in 
a  smile.  She  flung  herself  on  her  knees  and 
kissed  his  hand  passionately. 

"  The  surgeon  will  be  here  directly,"  said  I. 

Rudolf's  eyes  had  been  on  the  Queen.  As 
I  spoke  he  looked  up  at  me,  smiled  again, 
and  shook  his  head.     I  turned  away. 

When  the  surgeon  came  Sapt  and  I  assisted 
him  in  his  examination.  The  Queen  had  been 
led  away,  and  we  were  alone.  The  exami- 
nation was  very  short.  Then  we  carried 
Rudolf  to  a  bed ;    the  nearest  chanced  to  be 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  375 

in  Bemenstein's  room ;  there  we  laid  him, 
and  there  all  that  could  be  done  for  him  was 
done.  All  this  time  we  had  asked  no  ques- 
tions of  the  surgeon,  and  he  had  given  no 
information.  We  knew  too  well  to  ask :  we 
had  all  seen  men  die  before  now,  and  the 
look  on  the  face  was  familiar  to  us.  Two  or 
three  more  doctors,  the  most  eminent  in 
Strelsau,  came  now,  having  been  hastily  sum- 
moned. It  was  their  right  to  be  called;  but, 
for  all  the  good  they  were,  they  might  have 
been  left  to  sleep  the  night  out  in  their  beds. 
They  drew  together  in  a  little  group  at  the 
end  of  the  room  and  talked  for  a  few  min- 
utes in  low  tones.  James  lifted  his  master's 
head  and  gave  him  a  drink  of  water.  Rudolf 
swallowed  it  with  difficulty.  Then  I  saw  him 
feebly  press  James's  hand,  for  the  little 
man's  face  was  full  of  sorrow.  As  his 
master  smiled  the  servant  mustered  a  smile 
in  answer. 

I  crossed  over  to  the  doctors. 

"Well,  gentlemen?"  I   asked. 

They  looked  at  one  another,  then  the 
greatest  of  them   said   gravely : 

"The  King  may  live  an  hour.  Count 
Fritz.     Should  you  not   send  for  a  priest?" 

I  went  straight  back  to  Rudolf  Rassen- 
dyll.  His  eyes  greeted  me  and  questioned 
me.  He  was  a  man,  and  I  played  no  silly 
tricks  with   him,     I  bent   down   and  said : 

•«An  hour,  they  think,    Rudolf." 


376  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

He  made  one  restless  movement,  whether 
of  pain  or  protest  I  do  not  know.  Then  he 
spoke,  very  low,  slowly,  and  with  difficulty. 

"Then  they  can  go,"  he  said;  and  when 
I   spoke  of   a  priest  he  shook  his  head. 

I  went  back  to  them  and  asked  if  any- 
thing more  could  be  done.  The  answer 
was  "Nothing";  but  I  could  not  prevail 
further  than  to  get  all  save  one  sent  into 
an  adjoining  room  ;  he  who  remained  seated 
himself  at  a  table  some  way  off.  Rudolfs 
eyes  had  closed  again;  old  Sapt,  who  had 
not  once  spoken  since  the  shot  was  fired, 
raised  a  haggard  face  to  mine. 

"We'd  better  fetch  her  to  him,"  he  said 
hoarsely.     I  nodded   my  head. 

Sapt  went  while  I  stayed  by  him. 
Bernenstein  came  to  him,  bent  down  and 
kissed  his  hand.  The  young  fellow,  who 
had  borne  himself  with  such  reckless  courage 
and  dash  throughout  the  affair,  was  quite 
unmanned  now,  and  the  tears  were  rolling 
down  his  face.  I  could  have  been  much 
in  the  same  plight,  but  I  would  not  before 
Mr.  Rassendyll.  He  smiled  at  Bernenstein. 
Then   he   said  to  me  : 

"  Is   she   coming,  Fritz  ?  " 

"Yes,  she's   coming,  sire,"    I   answered. 

He  noticed  the  style  of  my  address  ;  a  faint 
amused  gleam  shot  into  his  languid  eyes. 

"  Well,  for  an  hour,  then,"  he  murmured, 
and  lay  back   on  his  pillows. 


THE    DECISION    OF    HEAVEN.  377 

She  came,  dry-eyed,  calm,  and  queenly. 
We  all  drew  back,  and  she  knelt  down  by 
his  bed,  holding  his  hand  in  her  two  hands. 
Presently  the  hand  stirred ;  she  let  it  go ; 
then,  knowing  well  what  he  wanted,  she 
raised  it  herself  and  placed  it  on  her  head, 
while  she  bowed  her  face  to  the  bed. 
His  hand  wandered  for  the  last  time  over 
the  gleaming  hair  that  he  loved  so  well. 
She  rose,  passed  her  arm  about  his  shoulders, 
and  kissed  his  lips.  Her  face  rested  close 
to  his,  and  he  seemed  to  speak  to  her,  but 
we  could  not  have  heard  the  words  even  if 
we  would.    So  they  remained  for  a  long  while. 

The  doctor  came  and  felt  his  pulse, 
retreating  afterwards  with  olose-shut  lips. 
We  drew  a  little  nearer,  for  we  knew  that 
he  would  not  be  long  with  us  now. 
Suddenly  strength  seemed  to  come  upon 
him.  He  raised  himself  in  his  bed,  and 
spoke  in   distinct  tones: 

*<God  has  decided,"  he  said.  "I've  tried 
to  do  the  right  thing  through  it  all.  Sapt, 
and  Bernenstein,  and  you,  old  Fritz,  shake 
my  hand.  No,  don't  kiss  it.  We  've  done 
with   pretence  now." 

We  shook  his  hand  as  he  bade  us.  Then 
he  took  the  Queen's  hand.  Again  she  knew 
his   mind,  and  moved  it  to  his  lips. 

*an  life  and  in  death,  my  sweet  Queen," 
he  murmured. 

And  thus  he  fell  asleep. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 
THE   COMING   OF    THE    DREAM. 

THERE  is  little  need,  and  I  have  little 
heart,  to  dwell  on  what  followed  the 
death  of  Mr.  Rassendyll.  The  plans 
we  had  laid  to  secure  his  tenure  of  the  throne, 
in  case  he  had  accepted  it,  served  well  in  the 
event  of  his  death.  Bauer's  lips  were  for 
ever  sealed ;  the  old  woman  was  too  scared 
and  appalled  to  hint  even  to  her  gossips  at 
the  suspicions  she  entertained.  Rischenheim 
was  loyal  to  the  pledge  he  had  given  to 
the  Queen.  The  ashes  of  the  hunting- 
lodge  held  their  secret  fast,  and  none 
suspected  v^hen  the  charred  body  which 
was  called  Rudolf  Rassendyll-s  was  laid  to 
quiet  rest  in  the  graveyard  of  the  town  of 
Zenda,  hard  by  the  tomb  of  Herbert  the 
forester.  For  we  had  from  the  first  rejected 
any  idea  of  bringing  the  King's  body  to 
Strelsau  and  setting  it  in  the  place  of  Mr. 
Rassendyll's.  The  difficulties  of  such  an 
undertaking  were  almost  insuperable ;  in 
our  hearts  we  did  not  desire  to  conquer 
them.  As  a  King  Rudolf  Rassendyll  had 
died,  as  a  King  let  him  lie.  As  a  King  he 
lay    in    his    palace    at    Strelsau,    while    the 


378 


^ 

Q 


THE    COMING    OF    THE    DREAM.  379 

news  of  his  murder  at  the  hands  of  a 
confederate  of  Rupert  of  Hentzau  went 
forth  to  startle  and  appal  the  world.  At  a 
mighty  price  our  task  had  been  made  easy: 
many  might  have  doubted  the  living,  none 
questioned  the  dead ;  suspicions  which  might 
have  gathered  round  a  throne  died  away 
at  the  gate  of  a  vault.  The  King  was 
dead.  Who  would  ask  if  it  were  in  truth 
the  King  who  lay  in  state  in  the  great 
hall  of  the  palace,  or  whether  the  humble 
grave  at  Zenda  held  the  bones  of  the 
last  male  Elphberg  ?  In  the  silence  of  the 
grave  all  murmurs  and  questionings  were 
hushed. 

Throughout  the  day  people  had  been 
passing  and  repassing  through  the  great 
hall.  There,  on  a  stately  bier,  surmounted 
by  a  crown  and  the  drooping  folds  of  the 
royal  banner,  lay  Rudolf  Rassendyll.  The 
highest  officers  guarded  him  ;  in  the  Cathedral 
the  Archbishop  said  a  mass  for  his  soul. 
He  had  lain  there  three  days  ;  the  evening 
of  the  third  had  come,  and  early  on  the 
morrow  he  was  to  be  buried.  There  is  a 
little  gallery  in  the  hall,  that  looks  down  on 
the  spot  where  the  bier  stood  ;  here  was  I 
on  this  evening,  and  with  me  Queen  Flavia. 
We  were  alone  together,  and  together  we 
saw  beneath  us  the  calm  face  of  the  dead 
man.  He  was  clad  in  the  white  uniform  in 
which    he    had    been    crowned  ;    the    riband 


380  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

of  the  Red  Rose  was  across  his  breast. 
His  hand  held  a  true  red  rose,  fresh  and 
fragrant  ;  Flavia  herself  had  set  it  there, 
that  even  in  death  he  might  not  miss  the 
chosen  token  of  her  love.  I  had  not  spoken 
to  her,  nor  she  to  me,  since  we  came  there. 
We  watched  the  pomp  round  him,  and  the 
rows  of  people  that  came  to  bring  a  wreath 
for  him  or  to  look  upon  his  face.  I  saw 
a  girl  come  and  kneel  long  at  the  bier's 
foot.  She  rose  and  went  away  sobbing, 
leaving  a  little  circlet  of  flowers.  It  was 
Rosa  Holf.  I  saw  women  come  and  go 
weeping,  and  men  bite  their  lips  as  they 
passed  by.  Rischenheim  came,  pale-faced 
and  troubled  ;  and  while  all  came  and  went, 
there,  immovable,  with  drawn  sw^ord,  in 
military  stiffness,  old  Sapt  stood  at  the  head 
of  the  bier,  his  eyes  set  steadily  in  front  of 
him,  and  his  body  never  stirring  from  hour 
to  hour  through  the  long  day. 

A  distant  faint  hum  of  voices  reached  us. 
The  Queen  laid  her  hand  on  my  arm. 

"It  is  the  dream,  Fritz,"  she  said. 
*'Hark!  They  speak  of  the  King;  they 
speak  in  low  voices  and  with  grief,  but  they 
call  him  King.  It 's  what  I  saw  in  the 
dream.  But  he  does  not  hear  nor  heed. 
No,  he  can't  hear  nor  heed  even  when  I 
call   him   my   King." 

A  sudden  impulse  came  on  me,  and  I 
turned  to  her,  asking : 


THE    COMING    OF    THE    DREAM.  381 

**  What  had  he  decided,  madame  ?  Would 
he  have  been  King  ?  " 

She  started  a  Uttle. 

**  He  didn't  tell  me,"  she  answered, 
"  and  I  didn't  think  of  it  while  he  spoke 
to  me." 

"  Of  what  then  did  he  speak,   madame  ? " 

"Only  of  his  love — of  nothing  but  his  love, 
Fritz,"  she  answered. 

Well,  I  take  it  that  when  a  man  comes 
to  die,  love  is  more  to  him  than  a  kingdom: 
it  may  be,  if  we  could  see  truly,  that  it  is 
more  to  him  even  while  he  lives. 

"Of  nothing  but  his  great  love  for  me, 
Fritz,"  she  said  again.  "And  my  love 
brought  him  to  his   death." 

"He  wouldn't  have  had  it  otherwise," 
said   I. 

"  No,"  she  whispered  ;  and  she  leant  over 
the  parapet  of  the  gallery,  stretching  out  her 
arms  to  him.  But  he  lay  still  and  quiet,  not 
hearing  and  not  heeding  when  she  murmured, 
"My  King!  my  King!"  It  was  even  as  it 
had  been  in  the  dream. 

That  night  James,  the  servant,  took  leave 
of  his  dead  master  and  of  us.  He  carried 
to  England  by  word  of  mouth— for  we 
dared  write  nothing  down— the  truth  con- 
cerning the  King  of  Ruritania  and  Mr. 
Rassendyll.  It  was  to  be  told  to  the  Earl 
of  Burlesdon,  Rudolf's  brother,  under  a 
pledge    of    secrecy;     and    to    this    day    the 


382  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

Earl  is  the  only  man  besides  ourselves  who 
knows  the  story.  His  errand  done,  James 
returned  in  order  to  enter  the  Queen's 
service,  in  which  he  still  is ;  and  he  told 
us  that  when  Lord  Burlesdon  had  heard 
the  story  he  sat  silent  for  a  great  while, 
and  then  said : 

**  He  did  well.  Some  day  I  will  visit 
his  grave.  Tell  Her  Majesty  that  there 
is  still  a  Rassendyll,  if  she  has  need  of 
one." 

The  offer  was  such  as  should  come  from 
a  man  of  Rudolf's  name,  yet  I  trust  that 
the  Queen  needs  no  further  service  than  such 
as  it  is  our  humble  duty  and  dear  delight  to 
render  her.  It  is  our  part  to  strive  to  lighten 
the  burden  that  she  bears,  and  by  our  love 
to  assuage  her  undying  grief.  For  she 
reigns  now  in  Ruritania  alone,  the  last  of 
all  the  Elphbergs ;  and  her  only  joy  is  to 
talk  of  Mr.  Rassendyll  with  those  few  who 
knew  him,  her  only  hope  that  she  may 
some  day  be  with  him   again. 

In  great  pomp  we  laid  him  to  his  rest  in 
the  vault  of  the  Kings  of  Ruritania  in 
the  Cathedral  of  Strelsau.  There  he  lies 
among  the  Princes  of  the  House  of  Elph- 
berg.  I  think  that  if  there  be  indeed  any 
consciousness  among  the  dead,  or  any 
knowledge  of  what  passes  in  the  world 
they  have  left,  they  should  be  proud  to  call 
him    brother.      There    rises    in    memory    of 


THE    COMING    OF    THE    DREAM.  383 

him  a  stately  monument,  and  people  point 
it  out  to  one  another  as  the  memorial  of 
King  Rudolf.  I  go  often  to  the  spot,  and 
recall  in  thought  all  that  passed  when  he 
came  the  first  time  to  Zenda,  and  again  on 
his  second  coming.  For  I  mourn  him  as 
a  man  mourns  a  trusted  leader  and  a  loved 
comrade,  and  I  should  have  asked  no  belter 
than  to  be  allowed  to  serve  him  all  my  days. 
Yet  I  serve  the  Queen,  and  in  that  I  do 
most  truly   serve   her  lover. 

Times  change  for  all  of  us.  The  roaring 
flood  of  youth  goes  by,  and  the  stream  of 
life  Ginks  to  a  quiet  flow,  Sapt  is  an  old 
man  now ;  soon  my  sons  will  be  grown  up, 
men  enough  themselves  to  serve  Queen 
Flavia.  Yet  the  memory  of  Rudolf  Rassen- 
dyll  is  fresh  to  me  as  on  the  day  he  died, 
and  the  vision  of  the  death  of  Rupert  of 
Hentzau  dances  often  before  my  eyes.  It 
may  be  that  some  day  the  whole  story  shall 
be  told,  and  men  shall  judge  of  it  for 
themselves.  To  me  it  seems  now  as  though 
all  had  ended  well.  I  must  not  be  mis- 
understood :  my  heart  is  still  sore  for  the 
loss  of  him.  But  we  saved  the  Queen's 
fair  fame,  and  to  Rudolf  himself  the  fatal 
stroke  came  as  a  relief  from  a  choice  too 
difficult  :  on  the  one  side  lay  what  impaired 
his  own  honour,  on  the  other  what  threatened 
hers.  As  I  think  on  this  my  anger  at  his 
death    is   less,    though   my  grief   cannot    be. 


384  RUPERT    OF    HENTZAU. 

To  this  day  I  know  not  how  he  chose  ;  no, 
and  I  don't  know  how  he  should  have 
chosen.  Yet  he  had  chosen,  for  his  face 
was   calm  and  clear. 

Come,  I  have  thought  so  much  of  him 
that  I  will  go  now  and  stand  before  his 
monument,  taking  with  me  my  last-born 
son,  a  little  lad  of  ten.  He  is  not  too 
young  to  desire  to  serve  the  Queen,  and 
not  too  young  to  learn  to  love  and  rever- 
ence him  who  sleeps  there  in  the  vault  and 
was  in  his  life  the  noblest  gentleman  I  have 
known. 

I  will  take  the  boy  with  me  and  tell  him 
what  I  may  of  brave  King  Rudolf,  how  he 
fought  and  how  he  loved,  and  how  he  held 
the  Queen's  honour  and  his  own  above  all 
things  in  this  world.  The  boy  is  not  too 
young  to  learn  such  lessons  from  the  life  of 
Mr.  Rassendyll.  And  while  we  stand  there 
I  will  turn  again  into  his  native  tongue— for, 
alas,  the  young  rogue  loves  his  toy  soldiers 
better  than  his  Latin  ! — the  inscription  that 
the  Queen  wrote  with  her  own  hand, 
directing  that  it  should  be  inscribed  in  that 
stately  tongue  over  the  tomb  in  which  her 
life  lies  buried  :  "To  Rudolf,  who  reigned 
lately  in  this  city,  and  reigns  for  ever  in  her 
heart.— Queen   Flavia." 

I  told  him  the  meaning,  and  he  spelt  the 
big  words  over  in  his  childish  voice  ;  at 
first  he  stumbled,   but    the  second    time  he 


THE  COMING  OF  THE  DREAM.     385 

had  it  right,  and   recited  with   a  little  touch 
of  awe  in  his  fresh  young  tones  : 

RUDOLFO 

Qui  in  hac  civitate  nuper  regnavit 
In  corde  ipsius  in  seternum  regnat 

FLAVIA    Regina. 

I  felt  his  hand    tremble  in   mine,   and    he 
looked  up   in   my  face. 

"  God  save  the  Queen,  father,"  said  he. 


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