Rupert of Hentzau

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 enterpr

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, settin

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 entire

aid he, for they were ac

nheim, and it’s lucky, for the k

ind him up so soon,”

of it. Treat him carefully, my dear Count; he’s in one of his troublesom

Otherwise I might say

even gray hairs.” The king fell into a passion. “Take it off!” he said. “Take it off. I won’t have a gray beard! T

bea

m breakfasts with me today: what is there for breakfast?” And he had the chef out his of bed and —“But, by heavens, I shall get into trouble if I stop h

s morning; his manner was uneasy, and his hands trembled. 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 n

“but he wants to see you before. He has something

matter; but — er — o

h, I don’t ask any que

ing alone?” asked R

him; no, nobody, I think,” answered Bern

t the door. Here B

d announce you. Pray keep him in a good temper, for all our sakes.” And he flung the door open, saying, “Sire, the Count of Luzau–Rischenheim has the honor to wait on

(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 inde

see you, my lord

wn weaker, and Rischenheim seemed to be struck by the vigor of the tones in which he was addressed. As he looked up, there was a slight movement in the curt

ndurance about those dogs. I can’t get the coats right, I’ve tried ev

. But I ventured to ask

the dogs. And before Sapt comes, fo

y expects Co

id the king, with a glance at

all on fire to get his erra

s,” pursued the king,

pardons, s

lky, that I

important matter,” persi

ell, if you must, you must. What is this great affair, Count?

e still; the king’s left hand caressed his beardless chin; the right

unt of Hentzau, has entr

nly assumed

directly or indirectly, with t

has come into the count’s hands which

my lord, has incurred m

ffences that he has sent me here today. There

asked Rudolf, in col

our Majesty’s person and very

e th

t believe me. But your Majesty

quickly. We may

I have

my lord?” s

forward it at your Majesty’s command.

he qu

addressed to —”

y lord,

Rudolf R

but allowed his voice to tremble with emotion as he stretched ou

attention was his; the coats of the dogs were forgotten. Pl

es it his duty to lay the letter be

ow he got it!

lver showed in a belt round his waist. He undid the flap of a pocket in

im; his eyes met Rassendyll’s: a sudden suspicion seized him, for the face, though the king’s face in every feature, bore a stern resolution and witnessed a vigor 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

He seemed to be able to do nothing but stare at Rudolf Rassendyll. Sapt was

the precious document from his fingers. “Look if it’s the right one. No, don’t read it through; just look.

made the concealment of another copy, or of any other document, impossible. Th

s there. Now tell us, sir, where did you leave this cousin of yours?” For the plan was to find out from Ris

oor. Rudolf sprang to open it. Sapt and his revolver kept t

and learnt from a sentry of Rischenheim’s arrival. I told the man that you had taken the count for a stroll

ort instant; then he was b

t a word of your errand, not a word of this gentleman! At a word, a sign, a hint, a gesture, a motion, as God lives, I’ll put a bullet through your head,

lf Rassendyll. “I can

it, yo

’ll eat it, if you l

n. “Quick, quick! The man

you hear what I

I he

r part. Now, gentl

outside, “I wondered how lon

his side and his waistcoat half unbuttoned. Young Bernenstein was bowing low on the threshold, and protesting that the king’s ser

shouldn’t have waited a minute. You’re very dark in here, Sapt. Why don’t you draw

pt, darting past him and l

ruth, sire,” continued the constable, his hand on the curtain, “w

d the king. “Yes, yes, the

t in young Bernenstein,

Come along, Count.” The king passed his arm through Rischenheim’s, adding

d the door behind him. “Why do you lo

papers in my dra

not lock

sire, like the fool I

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 ri

” said the king. “I hop

ire,” stammered Rischen

the dogs — while I

et. His statement was decidedly wantin

pushed his chair back so quickly that Sapt ski

rising. A cough from Lieutenant

in,” said the king. Risc

towards the constable. Sapt had just time to whisk the revolver away. The count lent

apt. “I understand all the count

” said the king with a laugh. “

tant matter of the dogs being thus disposed of, the king recollecte

me?” he asked, with a weary air. T

olver was in its place; Bernenstein

e,” said he, “but

lifted hi

ess so privat

l it to your Majesty al

obbed of his evidence could do little harm concerning the letter, he would doubtless tell the king t

tzau are too exalted matters

g flush

s, my lord?” he asked

oes not know wh

e king. “He wants to come back? Is t

olver. Bernenstein coughed twice. Rischenheim sat twisting his fingers. He understood that, cost what it might, they would not let him declare hi

ld story or something new,”

chenheim

ord?” cried the kin

what you call the

id the king. “You knew my decision, and your cousin knows it.” Thus speaking, the king rose; Sapt’s revolver

for your natural affection. But, believe me, in this case it mis

, could do nothing but bow in ack

tained. My horse should be at the door by now.

rnenstein closed it with a backward 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

sage the k

re?” he asked, hearing the

said Bernenstein, and

Lieutenant; you’re

nd pardon

was nothing to hear, for the two no

Majesty go on?” And Bern

the king with a laugh, and he le

r. He was panting for breath, and his face was flushed and worki

’ll never be nearer to it than you were in that moment. If

ere came a kno

th a muttered curse the count obeyed him. A ser

Sapt, and Rischenhe

this has arrived for you,

whispered

ischenheim confusedly; a

bowed and sh

,” comma

ed Rischenheim in a voice

s from so good a friend as I am

began to

shoot you,” said Sapt quietly. “You kn

I won’t

ll you, or say

d. He unfolded the telegram. Then he lo

what it means,” gr

may be able

nothin

my lord

s was the telegram: “

lord. And — the place

rel

t you, but seeing is believing. Ah, thanks. It’s

w at all wha

Because I can

very ac

a simple thing t

assume an easy and sarcastic air, “what does

, that the messag

r thought of that.

nk it’s Holf

im, biting his nail, and looki

present address of Co

chenheim. He gave a short, sharp laugh, then put

ery convenient, my d

*