The Prisoner of Zenda

ng with a Dis

rmit of his absence. He begged therefore that, if such humble (though, as he added, clean and comfortable) lodgings would satisfy me, I would take his place. He pledged his sister's acquiescence, and urged the inconvenience and crowding to which I should be subject in my journeys to and from Strelsau the next day. I accepted his offer without a moment's hesitation, and he went off to telegraph to his sister, while I packed up and prepared to take the next train. But I still hankered after the forest and the hunting

in, and separated from it by a deep and broad moat, which ran all round the old buildings, was a handsome modern chateau, erected by the last king, and now forming the country residence of the Duke of Strelsau. The old and the new portions were connected by a drawbridge, and this indirect mode of access formed the only passage between the old building and the outer world; but leading to the modern chateau there was a broad and handsome avenue.

contemplation of the solemn beauty of the woods and to the comfort of a good cigar. And when the cigar was finished and I had (I suppose) inhaled as much beauty as I could, I went off into the most delightful sleep, regardless of my train to Strelsau and of the fast-waning afternoon. To remember a train in such a spot would have been rank sacrilege. Instead of that, I fell

n it! Shave him, an

carefully pointed imperial, I was to be transformed into a monarch! I was about to kiss

bristly grey moustache, and small pale-blue eyes, a trifle bloodshot. The other was a slender young fellow, of middle height, dark in complexion, and bearing himself with grace and distinction.

younger to follow. He did so, courteously

he surveyed my six feet two inches of stature. Then

ask you

ntance, gentlemen," said I, with a smile, "supp

pped forward with

m called Fritz von Tarlenheim: we are both

baring my h

rom England; and once for a year or two I h

ord," answered Tarlenheim, holding

Colonel Sapt; then a gleam of int

cried, "you're o

now Lord Burl

kled, pointing to my uncovered pol

a delicacy which my sister-in-law would have admir

own here as well as

re, the deuce a man in all Ruritania

y written pedigree I carried about with me, I should have though

ing voice sounded fro

tz! where a

tarted, and

the

chuckle

rew back in sudden wonder. Saving the hair on my face and a manner of conscious dignity which his position gave him, saving also that he lacked perhap

ther. Then I bared my head again and bowed respectfull

tz-who is th

long and carefully. The likeness was certainly astonishing, though I saw the points of difference also. The King's face was slightly more fleshy than mine, the oval of its contour the least trifle more pronounced, and, as

itch, his nose came down (as mine does when I laugh), his eyes twinkled, and, behold! he burst into the

back, and laughing still. "You must forgive me if I was taken aback.

esumption," said I. "I trust it will

ughed, "whether I like it or not; and, sir, I shall very gladl

, sire-to th

though his expression hinted some uneasiness. But

a sight of brother Michael's face when he sees

nheim, "I question Mr. Rassendyll's w

lit a c

" said he, q

o," growled t

that I should be in Mr.

ght way," said Sapt, hauling

aid I. "I'll leav

kes it. For you shall dine with me tonight, happen what will a

tonight," said Fr

he King; and, as Fritz shrugged his shoulders, he

orning," said old Sap

g. "Come, Mr. Rassendyll-by the

y's," I answ

n here, but my dear brother Michael lends us a place of his, and we'll make shift to entertain you there;" and he

full of interest in my family, laughed heartily when I told him of the portraits with Elphberg hair i

isreputable cousin on the

ow, built entirely of wood. As we approached it, a little man in a plain livery came out to meet us. The only other person

r ready, Josef?

was plain enough: the King ate heartily, Fritz von Tarlenheim delicately, old Sapt voraciously.

t what?-we're eating dry! Wine, Josef! wine, man! Are we

f hastened to load t

tomorrow!"

row!" sai

was gracious-or merry-enough to call me; and I drank its

was beyond all price or praise, and we did it ju

start before I do, Master Fritz-you mu

at I did not

down to Zenda and return with the guard of honour to fetch th

ame guard!"

our for his regiment," said the King. "Come, cous

ersuaded, and soon we were all of us as full of wine as we had any right to be. The King began talking of what he would do in the future, old Sapt of what he had done in the past, Fritz of s

down his glass and le

unk enough

e to contradict t

as most absolutely t

ellous old wicker-covered flagon. It had lain so long in som

e the King, when the King was weary of all other wines, and pr

g. "Out with the cork, Josef. Hang him!

ss. The King tasted it. Then, with a solemnity born of

verything is yours to the half of Ruritania. But ask me not for a single drop of this divine

er his mouth, and drained it and flung it from

Majesty-and that is all I remember o