Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-23
THE PRISONER OF ZENDA
Being the History Of Three Months In the Life Of an
English Gentleman.
BY ANTHONY HOPE.
fish Gentleman,


sonry. there was a CLEAN of light! That
light must come from the cell of the king!
set my shoulder against the pipe and ex-
erted my strength. The chink widened q
very. very little. and hastily I desisted:
had done enough to show that the pipe was
not fixed In the masonry at the lower side.
Then heard voice-a harsh. grating
voice.
"Well. sire, IL you have had enough of
my society will leave you to repose: but I
must fasten the little ornaments flrst."
1t was Detchard! 1 caught the English
accent In a moment.
Have you anything to ask. sire. before
we part?'
The kings voice followed. 1t was his.
though it was faint and hollow-different
from the merry tones 1 had heard In the
glades of the forest.
pray my brother" said the king ito kill
me. l am dying by inches here
THE duke does not desire your death,
sire-yet." sneered Detchard: when he
does. behold your path to heaven!'
The king answered:
$50 be it! And now. II your orders allow
May you dream of paradiser said the
ruffian.
The light disappeared. I heard the bolts
of the door run home And then heard
the sobs of the king. He was alone, as he
thought. Who dares mock at him?
l did not venture to speak to him. The
risk Of some exclamation escaping him in
surprise was too great. 1 dared do nothing
that night; and my task now was to get
myself away in safety. and to carry off the
carcass Of the dead man. To leave him
there would tell to much. Casting loose the
boat. I got in. The wind was blowing a
gale now. and there was little danger OF
oars being heard. rowed swiftly round to
where my friends waited | had Just
reached the spot when a loud whistle sound
ed over the moat behind me.
''Hullo, Maxi heard shouted.
1 hailed Sapt In low tone. The rope
came down. tied 1T round the corpse. and
NJ I'M
whistle you, too" whispered, "for our
men. and haul in the line. No talk now"
They hauled up the body. Just as it
reached the road three men on horseback
swept round from the front Of the castle
We saw them; but, being on foot ourselves
we escaped their notice. But we heard our
men coming up with a shout
''The devil, but it's dark! cried a ringing
voice.
It was young Rupert. A moment later
shots rang out. Our people had met them.
I started forward at run. Sapt and Fritz
'Thrust, thrustv' cried Rupert again. and
a loud groan following told that he himself
was not behindhand.
I'm done, Rupert!' cried a voice.
They're three to one. Save yourselfr'
1 ran on. holding my cudgel in my hand
Suddenly horse came toward me. A man
was on it. leaning over the shoulder
cried
There was no answer.
1 sprang to the horses head. It was
Rupert Hentzau.
cat last!' cried
For we seemed to"have him. He had only
his sword In his hand. My men we're hot
upon him; Sapt and Fritz were running up.
I had outstripped them: but If they got
close enough to fire he must die or sur
render
"At last! cried
TITS the play-actorr' cried he slashing
at my cudgel. He cut It clean In two; and,
judging discretion better than death.
ducked my head and Il blush to telD scam
pered for my life. The devil was in Rupert
Hentzau: for he put spurs to his horse, and
1. turning to look. saw him ride full gal
while the shots Of our party fell thick
round him like hail With one CLEAN of
moonlight we should have riddled him with
balls; but In the darkness he won to the
corner of the CASTLE and vanished from our
sight.
1.-THE deuce take himw grinned Sapt.
Its a pity" said I. that he's viii
lain. Whom have we got?"
We had Lauengram and Krafstefn; they
no longer possible, we flung them. with
Max, into the moat; and. drawing together
in a compact body, rode of down the hill.
And in our midst went the bodies of four
gallant gentlemen. Thus we travelled home,
heavy at heart for the death of our friends,
sore uneasy concerning the king and cut to
the quick that young Rupert had played yet
another winning hand with us.
For my own part was vexed and angry
that had killed no man In open fight, but
only stabbed a knave in his sleep. And
actor.
ITO he continued tomOrrow1