Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-24
CHAPTER XIV.
I Talk with q Tempter.


| not have gone on. with the remarkable in
cidents which marked 1t, without more pub
lie notice being directed to it. Duels were
frequent among all the upper classes. and
private quarrels between great men kept
the old habit of spreading to their friends
and dependents. Nevertheless. after the
ARRAY which I have Just related such re-
ports began to circulate that felt 1t neces-
sary to be on my guard. The death Of the
gentlemen involved could not be hidden
from their relatives. / issued a stern or
der, declaring that dueling had attained
unprecedented license Cthe chancellor drew
| up the document for me, and very well he
did it,. and forbidding it save In the grav-
est cases. I sent public and stately apol-
ogy to Michael, and he returned a defer
entail and courteous reply to me: for our
one point of union was-and 1t underlay all
our differences and induced an unwilling
harmony between our actions-that we
cards on the table. He, as well as /, was
| a play actor and. hating one another. We
combined to dupe public opinion. Unfortu-
nasety however, the necessity fof conceal al
king might die in his prison, or even be
spirited of somewhere else-it could not be
helped. For little while ! was compelled
to observe a truce, and my only consolation
my edfct against dueling; and when ex-
pressed delight at having won her favor.
prayed me, If her favor were any motive to
me, to prohibit the practice altogether.
wait till we are married. said I, smil-
ing.
Not the least peculiar result of the truce
and OF the secrecy which dictated 1t was
that the town Of Zenda became in the day
| time-I would not have trusted far to its
protection by night-a sort Of neutral zone,
where both parties could safely go; and l,
! riding down one day with Flavia and Sapt,
| had an encounter with an acquaintance
which presented ludicrous side, but was
at the same time embarrassing. AS 1 rode
along l met Notwithstanding person driv-
Ing in a two-horsed carriage. He stopped
his horses, got out. and approached me-
bowling low. 1 recognized the head of the
Strelsau police.
"Your majesty's ordinance as to dueling
Is receiving our best attention." he assured
If the best attention involved his presence
in Zenda 1 determined at once to dispense
with it.
us that what brings you to Zenda, pre-
fect?" asked.
"Why, no. sire; I am here because de-
sired to oblige the British ambassador
whats the British ambassador doing
dams cette galere?" said 1 carelessly.
"A young countryman of his, sire-a man
of some position-is missing. His friends
have not heard from him for two months
and there is reason to believe that he was
last seen in Zenda.''
Flavia was paying little attention. 1
dared not hook at Sapt.
what reaSon?'
"A friend Of his in Paris-a certain NJ
Featherly-has given us information which
makes it possible that he came here, and
the officials of the railway recolect his
name on some luggage"
what was his name?'
"Rassendyll, sire" he answered; and 1
saw that the name meant nothing to him.
But. glancing at Flavia. he lowered his
he may have followed a lady here. Has
your majesty heard of a certain Nine. de
Mauban?''-
Why. yes" said ], my eye inyoluntarily
In Ruritania about the same time as this
Rassendyll."
1 caught the projects glance: he was re-
garding me with inquiry writ large on his
"Sapt" said I, II must speak a word to
the project. Will you ride on a few PAGES
with the princess?' And I added to the
project: Come. sir, what do you mean?"
He drew close to me, and 1 bent in the
saddle.
"If he were in love with the lady?" he
whispered. Nothing has been heard Of
the eye Of the project which Travelled to-
ward the castle.
Eyes. the lady is there" said quietly
that the name?-is."
1.-The duke" he whispered. docs not like
rivals, sire"
you're right there" said I, with all sim
certify. But surely you hint at very
grave charge"
He spread his hands out in apology. I
whispered in his ear:
This is a grave matter. Go back to
Strelsau-"
But SIRE If have a clew here"
go back to Streusau," I repeated.
Tell the ambassador that you have a clew
but that you must be left alone for week
or two. Meanwhile I'll charge myself with
looking into the matter"
THE ambassador is very pressing, sire"
You must quiet him. Come sir; you see
that, If your suspicious are correct, it is an
affair in which we must move with eau
ton. We can have no scandal. Mind you
return tonight"
He promised to obey me, and rode on to
rejoin my companions. little easier in my
mind. Inquiries after me must be stopped
at all hazards for week or two; and this
clever official had come surprisingly near
the truth His impression might be useful
some day, but If he acted on it now 1t
might mean the worst to the king Heartily
did I curse George Featherly for not hold
"Well," asked Flavia, have you finished
your business?"
Most satisfactorily" said 1. Come, shall
we turn round? We are almost trenching
on my brothers territory
We were, In fact, at the extreme end of
the town, just where the hill begins to
mount toward the castle. We cast our eyes
up, admiring the massive beauty of the old
walls, and we saw a cortege winding slowly
down the hill. On 1t came.
Let us go back" said Sapt.
II should like to stay" said Flavia; and
I reined my horse beside hers.
We could distinguish the approaching
party now. There came first two mounted
servants in black uniforms, relieved only by
silver badge These were followed by a
car drawn by four horses; on 1t, under a
heavy pail, lay coffin; behind it rode a
man in plain black clothes. carrying his
hat in his hand. Sapt uncovered, and we
stood waiting, Flavta keeping by me and
laying her hand on my arm.
'It Is one of the gentlemen killed in the
quarrel I expect" she said.
1 beckoned to a groom.
ride and ask whom they escort" or
dered.
He rode up to the servants, and saw him
pass on to the gentleman who rode behind.
"It'sSRupert of Hentzau. whispered Sapt
Rupert 1t was, and directly afterward,
waving to the procession to stand still,
Rupert trotted up to me. He was In a frock
coat, tightly buttoned, and trousers. He
wore an aspect of sadness, and he bowed
with profound respect. Yet suddenly he
smiled, and I smiled too for old Sapts hand
lay in his left breast pocket, and Rupert
and both guessed what lay in the hand
inside the pocket.
"Your majesty asks whom we escort"
said Rupert. TT is my dear friend Albert