Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-25
CHAPTER XVI.
A nesnerate Plan

AS had ridden publicly In Zenda, ano
had talked there with Rupert Hentzau, OF
course all pretense of illness was at an end
l marked the effect on the garrison OF
Zenda; they ceased to be seen abroad; and
any of my men who went near the castle
reported that the utmost vigilance prevailed
there. Touched as 1 was by Nine. de Maui
bans appeal. seemed as powerless to be-
friend her as had proved to help the
king. Michael babe me defiance; and-al-
though he, too, had been seen outside the
walls-with more disregard for appearances
than he had hitherto shown. he did not take
the trouble to send any excuse for his fail
ure to wait on the king. Time ran on in
inactivity, when every moment was press
ing; for not only was faced with the new
danger which the stir about my own disap-
pearance brought on me, but great muir
murs had arisen in Strelsau at my contin-
ued absence from the city. They had been
greater but for the knowledge that Flavia
was with me; and for this reason l SUFFERED
her to stay, though I hated to nave her
where danger was and though every Gay
of our present sweet intercourse strained
my endurance almost to breaking. AS a
final blow nothing would content my ad-
visers, Strakencz and the chancellor (who
came out from Strelsau to make an urgent
representation to mel, save that should
appoint day for the public solemnization
Of my betrothal a ceremony which In Rurf-
tania is well-nigh as binding and great q
thing as marriage ITSELF And this-with
Flavia sitting by mel was forced to do.
setting a date fortnight ahead, and ap-
pointing the cathedral in Strelsau as the
place And this formal act, being pub
lfshed far and wide, caused great JOY
throughout the kingdom, and was the talk
OF all tongues; so that l reckoned there
were but two men who chafed at III
mean Black Michael and myself; and but
vf1 NOT af
man whose name I bore, the King Of
Ruritania.
In truth, I heard something Of the way
the news was received in the castle; for. az
ter an interval of three days. the man
Johann, greedy for more money. though
fearful for his life, again found means to
visit us. He had been waiting on the duke
when the tidings came Black Michaers
sworn savagely; nor was he better pleased
when young Rupert took oath that l meant
to do as I said. and turning to Mime. de
Mauban, wished her Joy on a rival gone.
MichaePs hand stole toward his sword (said
Johann), but not bit did Rupert care; for
he rallied the duke on my having made
better king than had reigned for years past
in Ruritania. And" said he, with a
meaning bow to his eXasperated master,
1.-The devil sends the princess finer man
than Heaven had marked out for her; by
my soul. he does!" Then Michael harshly
babe him hold his tongue and leave them;
but Rupert must needs first kiss madame's
hand, which he did as though he loved her,
while Michael glared at him.
This was the lighter side of the fellows
news; but more serious came behind, and
it was plain that, If time pressed al Tar
lenheim, 1t pressed none the less ffercely at
Zenda. For the king was very sick. Jo-
hardly able to move. There could be no
thought Of taking another for him now.
So alarmed were they that they had sent
for a physician from Strelsau; and the
L44r f,,tV fv,fn fh0
kings cell, had come forth pale and trem-
bling, and urgently prayed the duke to let
him go back and NEEDLE no more in the
affair; but the duke would not, and held
him there a prisoner, telling him his life
was safe If the king lived while the duke
desired and died when the duke desired
not otherwise. And. persuaded by the
physician; they had ,a allowed Nine; de Mau s
attendance as his state needed, and as
only woman can give. Yet his life hung
in the balance; and ! was yet strong and
whele an at zenda: and save when they
quarreled. to which they were very prone.
they hardly spoke. But the deeper the de-
preston Of the rest, young Rupert went
about Satan's work with a smile in his eye
and a song on his lip; and laughed "ft to
burst" Said Johann) because the duke al
ways set Detchard to guard the king when
Nine. de Mauban was in the cell-which
precaution was. indeed. not unwise in my
careful brother. Thus Johann told his tale
and seized his crowns. Yet he besought US
to allow him to stay with us in Tarlen-
helm. and not venture his head again in
the lions den; but we had need Of him
there, and although I refused to constratn
him, I prevailed on him by increased re-
wards to go back and to carry tidings to
Nine. de Mauban that I was working for
her, and that, If she could, she should
speak one word of comfort to the king. For
while suspense is bad for the sick, yet de-
spair is worse still, and 1t might be that the
r
could learn of no definite disease that af-
ficted him.
And how do they guard the king now7"
I asked, remembering that two of the Six
were dead, and Max Holt also.
"Detchard and Bersonin watch by night
Rupert Hentzau and Gautet by day. sir"
he answered.
"Only two at timer
AYE, sir; but the others rest In a room
just above. and are within sound of a cry
or a whistle"
"A room just above? I didn't know that;
Is there any communication between 1t and
the room where they watchY'
mo. sir. You must go down a few stairs
and through the door by the drawbridge,
And that door Is lockedr'
"Only the four lords have keys, SIR
I drew near to him.
"And have they keys of the grating?"
asked in a low whisper.
IT think. sir, only Detchard and Rupert"
where does the duke lodge?"
I'm the chateau, on the first floor. His
apartments are on the right as you go to-
ward the drawbridge."&
"And Nine de Mauban?"
"Just opposite, on the left. But her door
is locked after she has entered"
TO keep her imp
Doubtless, SIR"
Perhaps for another reason?'
'It is possible"
And the duke suppose has the key?"
Eyes. And the drawbridge is drawn back
at night, and of that too the duke holds the
key, SO that 1t cannot be run across the
moat without application to him."
"And where do you sleep?
Gin the entrance hall of the chateau, with
five servants"
"Armed?
''They have pixies, sir, but no firearms
The duke will not trust them with fire.
arms"
Then at last I took the matter boldly in |
my hands. I had failed once at Jacobs |
ladder; should fail again there. 1 must |
make the attack from the other side.
Il have promised you twenty thousand |
said ]. you shall have fifty
thousand If you will do what ask of you |
tomorrow night But, first. do those serv-
ants know who your prisoner is?'
mo, sir They believe him to be some |
private enemy Of the dukes"
And they would not doubt that am the |
kfpO?o