The Prisoner of Zenda

ret of

air. Sapt lit his pipe. He uttered no congratulations on the marvellous success of our wild risk, but his who

lf! But, Rassendyll, you mustn't throw your heart too much into the part. I don't wonder Bl

ul she is!"

," growled Sapt. "Are

id I, wit

should be no more than Rudolf Rassend

my head wobbling on my shoulders every minute you're in the city. Do you know, friend, that Michael ha

is news making me none

sat

ichael's Governor, you know, and we must be pr

l, I've not bee

t Sapt produced

on, after another search in his pocket, "is some tracing pape

ore comprehensive than min

forgery did this ve

d. He is upset. No one is to see him till n

and," answ

audience. You'll answer that only pri

y Michael," l

the door of this room is opened while we're aw

colonel," said Fritz

ntinued to me, "and put on this flat cap. My ord

ved. "The horse doesn't live t

him: one here-one at the

eady,"

ld out h

he; and we shook

ment!" growled S

he door, but to a

time," said he, "I

weight; the other a sturdy brown. Sapt signed to me to mount the bay. Without a word to the man, we mounted and rode away. The town was full of noise and merriment, but we took secluded ways. My cloak was wrapped over half my face; the capacious flat cap hid every lock of my tell-tale hair. By Sapt's directions, I crouched on my sadd

whispered Sapt. "We must s

d the doorkeeper. The stars fought for u

ather's gone to

tayed here," said S

wasn't to open

d Sapt, dismounting. "

child's hand. Sap

King. Show it to your fath

ed back the great gate, led our

out that he wasn't there. Now then, lad, for a cante

ng fell we quickened our pace, my splendid horse bounding along under me as though I had been a feather. It was a fi

uke's despatches tol

der!" resp

I dared not go into the inn, and stayed with the horses in the stable. Then we went

!" he

as just half-past nine-we heard the beat of horses' hoofs. The wi

used to listen, the hoof-beats were not audible, and we relaxed our pace.

a mile behind. Thank God the road curv

s of the forest of Zenda, and the trees, closing in behind us as the track z

ht us to a divide of th

id. "To the left, to the Castle.

ll be on u

se up to the very edge of the road. We led our horses into the co

ee who they ar

they're going

s revolver wa

now clear and full, so that the road was white with

come!" whis

the

t so," he

hey were up to us: the duke reined up. I saw Sapt's finger curl lovingly towards the trigger. I believe he would have given ten years of his life for a shot; and he could have pi

" asked Bla

s," urged his companion. "Th

ant the duk

I heard hoo

not, your

n't we go t

ll, why go to the lodge? If

our horses' heads, and, holding them thus, covered the duke and his attendant wi

a moment longer

d setting spurs to h

such an expression of wistful regret on his fa

es we stayed

"they've sent him ne

that mean

heavily. "But it's brought him

the ground. For those last eight miles we spoke no more. Our minds were full

, we rode up to the gate. All was still and quiet. Not a soul came to

e said, pointin

ix silk handkerchiefs, torn and slashed

oman up with," said he. "Faste

the room which had been the scene of last night's bout. It was

se marvellous composure ha

ards the cellars. The door of

the old wo

n that from the hand

llar. It was shut. It looked in all respects

s all righ

floor. From under the door a red stain had spread over the floor of the passage an

osef?" mut

he King?"

d a heavy poker from the fireplace. In my terror and excitement I rained blows on the

id I; but Sapt still

hat dark cellar was enough to turn any man's face pale. I went myself, and took a silver candlestick from the dining-table and struck a light, and, as

e; I saw spiders crawling on the walls; I saw, too, a couple of empty bottles lying on the floor; and then, away in the corner, I saw the body of a man, lying flat on his back, with his arms stretched wide,

nd, turning, saw Sapt, eyes glar

! the King?" he w

s gleam over every

is not her