Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-26
CHAPTER XVII.
Young Rupert's Midnight Diversions.

CHAPTER XVII.
Young Rupert's Midnight Diversions.
The night came fine and clear. I had
prayed for dirty weather, such as had
favored my previous voyage in the moat,
but Fortune was this time against me.
Still reckoned that by keeping close under
the wall and in the shadow could escape
detection from the windows OF the chateau
that looked out on the scene Of my efforts
II they searched the moat, indeed my
scheme must fail; but did not think they
would. They had made Jacobs ladder Sc
cure against attack. Johann had himself
helped to fix 1t closely to the masonry on
the under side. so that it could not now be
moved from below any more than from
above. An assault with explosives or a
long battering with picks alone could dis
place 1t. and the noise involved in either of
these operations put them out of the ques-
ton. What harm. then, could a man do In
the moat? 1 trusted that Black Michael,
putting this query to himself, would answer
confidently. None" while even IL Johann
meant treachery he did not know my
scheme. and would doubtless expect to see
me. at the head of my friends. before the
front entrance to the chateau. There. I
And there" added you shall be.
Doesn't that content your
But 1t did not. Dearly would he have
liked to come with me had not utterly
refused to take him. One man might es-
cape notice; to double the party more than
doubled the risk; and when he -ventured to
hint once again that my life was too val
liable. I, knowing the secret thought he
chung to, sternly bade him be silent. assur-
ing him that unless the king lived through
the night I would not live through it
either.
At IL o'clock sapt's command left the
a I'll 1h ofv 1ctv, or ~
right riding by unfrequented roads, and
avoiding the town of Zenda. II all went
well they would be in front of Zenda by
about a quarter to 2 Leaving their horses
half mile OF, they were to steal up to the
entrance and hold themselves in readiness
for the opening of the door. II the door
were not opened by two they were to send
Fritz Won, Tarlenheim round to the other
side Of the castle. 1 would meet him there
II 1 were alive, and we would consult
whether to storm the castle or not. If I
were not there they were to return with all
speed to Tarlenheim rouse the marshal
and march in force on Zenda. For If not
there should be dead and 4 knew that the
king would not be alive five minutes after
l had ceased to breathe.
/ must now leave Sapt and his friends
and relate how I myself proceeded on this
eventful night. I went out on the good
horse which had carried me. on the night CT
the coronation. back from the shooting
lodge to Strelsau. I carried a revolver in
the saddle and my sword. I was covered
with large cloak. and under this wore
warm. tfght-ftting woolen Jersey. a pair
of knickerbockers, thick stockings, and
light canvas shoes. I had rubbed myself
thoroughly with oil, and carried a large
flask of whisky. The night was warm. but
I might probably be immersed q long
precaution against cold for cold not only
saps a mans courage II he has to die but
impairs his energy If others have to die,
and. finally. gives him rheumatics, II II be
HDlS vvv{11 kI1% \ At
my body a length of thin but stout cord,
and I did not forget my ladder. I. start
Ing after Sapt, took a shorter route, skirt
ing the town to the left. and found myself
in the outskirts of the forest at about half
past IL. 1 tied my horse up in thick
clump Of trees. leaving the revolver in its
pocket in the saddle-it would be no use to
me-and, ladder in hand, made my way to
rope from about my waist, bound 1t secure
ly round the trunk Of a tree on the bank.
and let myself down. The castle clock
struck a quarter to as l felt the water
keep, pushing the ladder before me, and
hugging the castle wall. Thus voyaging, I
came to my old friend Jacobs ladder"
and felt the ledge of masonry under me.
crouched down in the shadow of the great
pipe-I tried to stir It, but 1t was quite i'm
movable-and waited. 1 remember that my
predominant feeling was neither anxiety
for the king nor longing for Flavia, but an
intense desire to smoke; and this craving,
Of course, could not crafty.
The drawbridge was still in its place. I
saw its airy, light framework above me.
some ten yards to my right, as crouched
with my back against the wall of the kings
cell. I made out window two yards my
side of 1t and nearly on the same level
That, II Johann spoke true, must belong to
the dukes apartments; and on the other
side, in about the same relative position,
must be Nine. de Mauban's window. Wom-
en- are careless, forgetful creatures.
prayed that she might not forget that she
was to be the victim of brutal attempt
at o'clock precisely. I was rather amused
at the part I had assigned to my young
friend Rupert Hentzau; but owed him a
ached where he had, with an audacity that
seemed half to hide his treachery, struck
at me. in sight of all my friends, on the
terrace at Tarlenheim.
Suddenly the dukes window grew bright.
The shutters were not closed. and the in
terror became partially visible to me as
cautiously raised myself till 1 stood on tip
toe. Thus placed. my range of sight en-
braced a yard or more inside the window,
while the radius of light did not reach me.
The window was flung open and some one
looked out. I marked Antoinette de Maui
bans graceful figure, and though her face
was in shadow, the fine outline of her head
was revealed against the light behind. 1
longed to cry softly Remember but
dared not-and happily, for moment later
a man came up and stood by her. He tried
swift motion she sprang Away and leaned
against the shutter, her profile toward me.
1 made out who the newcomer was: it was
young Rupert. A low laugh from him made
me sure. as he leaned forward, stretching
out his hand toward her.
Gently, gently!'' I. murmured. you're
| too soon, my boy!'
His head was close to hers. I suppose
he whispered to her. for I saw her point
| to the moat, and heard her say in slow
and distinct tones:
II had rather throw myself out of this
| window
He came close to the window and looked
| out.
ut looks cold' said he. Come, Antoin-
| cite, are you serious?"
| She made no answer, so far as I heard;
| and he, shifting his hand petulantly on the
window sill. went on in the voice of some
| spoilt child:
Hang Black Michael! Isn't the princess
enough for him? Is he to have everything
What the devil do you see in Black
| Michael?'
eff told him what you say" she began.
well, tell him." said Rupert carelessly;
and catching her off her guard he sprang
! forward and kissed her, laughing, and cry
| ing There's something to tell him.
DIxyAe wit,