The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-08

The drama follows the story in the
book very closely; nearly all the char
acters are familiar to those who wit
messed the earlier play. The action takes
place three years after that of 'Zenda'
enus. Fritz Won Tarlenheim is sent
with message from Queen Flayia to
Rudolf Rassendyll; in this letter she
renounces any further communication
with her lover yet confesses her I'M
Huy1ng love for him. Rupert of Hent-
Eau, who is in exile, knows of this let
Ter. and that if he can gain possession
OF i he will have a lever by which he
can regain the kings favor and possess
sion OF his confiscated estates. His hire
llngS Waylay Fritz and secure the coVet-
cd letter. This much happens before
the curtain rises; thereafter the plot
hinges on the efforts of the queen s
trusted lieutenants, Col. Sapt, Fritz
Won Tarlenheim and Rudolf to wrest
the letter from Hentzau, and thus rem
Ger the queens honor safe. Rudolf and
6apt send word to Rupert, in the king
name, 20 meet the king at his hunting
lodge at night; they intend to be there
themselves, and either obtain the let
ter or kill its bearer. BY a curious
chance the real king is at the lodge
and when HentZau arrives his majesty's
attendant attacks him. Surprised at
this reception, Hentzau ends by killing
soon after, and from the dying servant
learn of the assassination
Rassendyll meantime goes on to
Rtrelsau to search out Rupert Fritz,
returns to tine castle at Zenda to notify
the queen of her widowhood, and thus
ENDS the second act. Rudolf is at
FT1tzS house in Strelsau when the
queen arrives there: fearful of his safe
ty, she has followed him from Zenda
The kings double is in doubt where to
find Hentsau, when the solution of that
question is unexpectedly placed in his
hands. Rosa Holf, gypsy girl who
had seen Rudolf and been befriended
by him when he was acting king, three
years before, is passing the house and
sees the queen enter. Rosa's mother
has two mysterious dodgers, and the
Rirl has that morning overheard them
Epeaking in menacing tones of the
ling. The men are Rupert and his al
III, Rischenheim. Rosa scents danger
Yer the king, and entering Fritz's
house, tells her suspicious to Rassen-
dyll, whom she mistakes for the real
monarch, thus revealing Rupert's hid
ing place. 1t is in the third act that
the two men, bitter encnies for years,
come face to face. Rudolf finally over
powers Hentzau and secures the
queens letter: Rupert breaks away,
and then each draw pistols whereupon
Hentzau pleads for a fight with rapiers
instead. Seeing he is getting worsted,
Rupert drops his blade and seizes mis-
revolver, but Rudolf turns the muzzle
towards it's owner and shoots him
Through the heart AS he falls dead,
Ahe populace, aroused by Rosa's warn
sMs cries, flock into the ROOM The
queen herself is at the head of the
throng, Rassendyll throws the letter
INTO the open CRATE and as the flames
reduce it to ashes and the last vestige
OF the instrument which could sully
her majestys fair name disappears. he
quiets the assemblage, which Of course
assumes that lie is really the king.
In act ", Rassendyll, weary of the
deception he is practicing. insists on