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