Rupert of Hentzau

good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau. The vi

alled 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 not understood, awoke their caution. Good Samaritans, but not men of war, they returned to where I lay senseless on the ground, congratulating

into their wagon and set out for the hotel where Rudolf Rassendyll was. The one thought my broken head held was to

. 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

sprang forward to me. Then he

mself 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 he

d again, looking up a

he, nodding. "Will you

e me some bra

o tell him. Though faint, I was not confused, and I gave my story in brief, hurried, y

a strange mixture of increased a

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, pl

and a short, thickset man of middle age appeared; he wore a suit of tweed, a

his gentleman has hurt h

in, towels, and bandages. Bending over me, he began to wash a

mes?" he asked, af

he servant, gathering

ph forms

was back with the

Rudolf. And he added, turni

en to you n

r of them, Rupert or this Rischenheim, wi

ng to

into my chair, with a feeling as if a red

ss my hand as he went by. "They won't trust the post, you know. One will

eceive 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 ent

ischenheim or Rupert will be on his way by

ences of my stupidity. Rudolf thrust me back in my chair, saying, "No

nged a cipher, I s

message, and I'll pu

y see him if possible. Wire who asks.' I don't like t

urs,"

o?" asked Rudolf, with

I wrote it again in the cipher; it was

gain, and James app

is," sai

es will be

s, Ja

t it may take an ho

half an hour. H

s,

lf, turning to me, "y

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 hot

quiet hours sloughed off. But today there was something more; I can only describe it 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

h offices were stirred in Zenda as well as James stirred them here in Wintenberg!

lf on my elbo

ay. To-day's Wednesday. The king has granted h

s," I cried, "and Risch

it was well laid. I like the men taking a

ad no more doubt than he that R

to put Rischenheim off for twelve hours if he ca

ave his audience sooner

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

going to do?" I cr

y, and the scorn of danger; fun, too, and merriment; and, lastly, the same radiance I spoke of. He had been s

to Zenda,

!" I crie

Zenda, Fritz, old fellow. By heaven, I k

to do

He broke into a sudden laugh. "What!" he cried, "have I lost my likeness? Can't I still play the king? Yes, if I come in time, Rischenheim shall have his audience of the king of Zenda, a

d his plan; but amazed at the boldness

ome; he was again the cool, shrewd, nonchalant Engli

chenheim 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 mis

seen, if you'

his hand on my arm and said, quite quietly, "If the letter

tter was known; but there was another possible meaning that I, a loyal subject, dared not inquire into. Yet I made no a

ought that through safe." I suppose I still looked doubtful, for he added, with a sort of impatience

f Queen Flavia's letter. I ceased to urge him. When I assented to his wishes, every shadow vani

Any message that you dare trust to no other conveyance, give to him; he'll carry it. He can shoot, too."

then; for the rest we were in darkness, 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 future plans, I traced his past actions, and subsequent knowledge has shown that I was right. Bauer was the 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, however, I had obtained one, the attack would still have be

s to the cause of my misfortune, and did not, as I had feared, suggest that his efforts should be seconded by those of the police. O

days," he said; "but then, I think we can ge

to look in again; I murmu

said. "Your friend Herr Schmidt has seen

lias Rudolf Rassendyll - was back. He laughed a lit

as obliged, my dear Fritz, to take some liberties with your characte

have laid the oth

Rupert? My dear fell

an 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. How

m off," s

whe

re two good friends parted from me on

sh we

won't be

you a

ess me, a knife, too; but only if he uses

ome the momen

d tell me that

ou go from

tation about nine tomorrow night, Thursday. Unless Rischenheim ha

you get ho

e something t

ss you,

n't have the l

et bright look came in his eyes again. He looked down at me, and

"I think I shall now, Fritz. To have a turn with th

ll you

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

xpected to die without seeing her; I will die wi

you will

urned away, James came with his n

is at the door

," said Rudolf. "Don't leave

well

d mysel

g up the lemonade James had bro

said Rudolf,

e the queen's letter and to see the queen's face. T