Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-13
THE PRISONER OF ZENDA
Being the History Of Three Months in the Life Of
English Gentleman.
BY ANTHONY HOPE.
Copyright. 1894. 1894 By Henry Hol. Co.,

Black Michael doesn't expect to see him in
Strelsau today"
rput the kings helmet on my head. Old
Sapt handed me the kings sword, looking
| at me long and carefully.
Thank God, he shaved his beard!' he ex-
claimed.
why did her asked.
Because Princess F1avia said he graxed
her cheek when he was graciously pleased
to give her cousinly kiss. Come. though.
| We must ride"
rs all safe here?'
"Nothfngs safe anywhere said Sapt,
but we can make 1t no safer.
Fritz now rejoined US In the uniform OF
captain in the same regiment as that to
which my dress belonged. In four minutes
sapt had arrayed himself In his uniform.
Josef called that the horses were ready.
We jumped on their backs and started at q
rapid trot. The game had begun. What
would the issue Of 1t be?
The cool morning air cleared my head.
and was able to take in all Sapt said to
me. He was wonderful. Fritz hardy spoke,
riding like a man asleep: but Sapt, without
another word for the king, began at once
to instruct me most infinitely in the history
Of my past life. of my family. Of my tastes.
pursuits. weaknesses, friends. companions
and servants. He told me the etiquette OF
the Ruritanian court. promising to be con-
stantly at my elbow to point out everybody
whom l ought to know. and give me hints
with what degree OF favor to greet them.
by the way" he said, you are a Cath
Ollie. 1 suppose?'
MOT t. answered.
Lord he's a heretic! groaned Sapt. and
forthwith he fell to a rudimentary lesson
in the practices and observances Of the
Romish faith.
Luckily" said he. you won't be expect
ed to know much, for the kings VIGOROUSLY
lax and careless about such matters. But
you must be as civil as butter to the cardi-
nal. We hope to win him over. because he
and Michael have a standing quarrel about
their precedence.
We were by now at the station. Fritz had
recovered nerve enough to explain to the
astonished station master that the king had
changed his plans. The train steamed up
We got into first-class carriage. and Sapt.
leaning back on the cushions. went on with
his lesson. looked at my watch-the king 9
watch 1t was. of course. 1t was Just eight
II wonder II they've gone to look for us"
I said.
II hope they won't find the king" said
Fritz nervously, and this time 1t was Sapt
who shrugged his shoulders.
The train Travelled we'll. and at half past
nine, looking out of the window. saw the
towers and spires of a great city.
Your capital my liege,' grinned old
Sapt, with a wave of his hand, and, lean
ing forward. he laid his finger on my pulse.
"a little too quick said he in his grum-
bling tone
I'm not made Of stone" I exclaimed.
You'll do" said he, with nod. I'VE
must say Fritz here has caught the ague
n,
boy!"
Fritz did as he, was bid.
Were an hour early" said Sapt. We'll
send word forward of your majesty's ar
rival for there'll be no one here to meet US
yet. And meanwhile
Meanwhile" said I. 1.-The king'n be hang
ed If he doesn't have some breakfast"
Old Sapt chuckled. and held out his hand.
You're an Elphberg. every inch of you"
said he. Then he paused. and looking at us.
said quietly, God send we may be alive to-
night"
lament" said Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
The train stopped. Fritz and Sapt leaped
out, uncovered, and held the door for me.
choked down lump that rose In my
throat, settled my helmet firmly on my
head, and Q'm not ashamed to say tD
breathed a short prayer to God Then
stepped on the platform of the station at
Strelsau.
A moment later all was hustle and con-
fusion: men hurrying up, hats in hand. and
hurrying off again; men conducting me to
the buffet; men mounting and riding In hot
haste to the quarters Of the troops, to
the cathedral, to the residence of
Duke Michael. Even as I swallowed the
last drop Of my cup of coffee the bells
throughout all the city broke out into a
joyful peal, and the sound of military
band and of men cheering smote upon my
ear.
King Rudolf the Fifth was In his good
city Of Strelsau! And they shouted out
side:
"God save the king!'
Old Sapt's mouth wrinkled into a smile.
God save 'em bothr' he whispered.
Courage, lad!' and felt his hand press
my knee.
(To be continued tomorrow