The National tribune., 1906-09-20
vi.
The Secret of a Cellar.


room-Fritz Won Tarlenheim. Sapt and
l. 1 flung myself exhausted into an
armchair. Sapt lit his pipe. He uttered
no congratulations on the marvellous
success of our wild risk, but his whole
bearing was eloquent of satisfaction
The triumph, aided, perhaps, by good
wine, had made a new man of Fritz.
What day for you to remember
he cried. Cad, I'd like to be n King
for u hours myself! But, Rassendyll,
you mustn't throw your heart too much
into the part. 1 don't wonder Black
Michael looked blacker than ever-you
and the Princess had so much to say to
one another"
How beautiful she isl" 1 exclaimed.
Never mind the woman" growlcd
Sapt. Are you ready to start?"
Yes said l, with sigh.
1t was o'clock, and at IL / should
be no more than Rudolf Rassendyll. 1
remarked on it in joking tone.
You'll be lucky" observed Sapt
grimly, IF you're not the late Rudolf
Rassendyll. BY Heaven. 1 feel my
head wobbling on my shoulders every
minute you're in the CITY, Do you
know, friend, that Michael has had
news from Zenda? He went into a
room alone to reau and he came out
looking like man dazed"
I'm ready said I, this news making
me none the more eager to linger.
Sapt sat down.
Il must write us an order to leave
the city. Michaels Governor, you know,
and we must be prepared for hind
RANGES. You must sign the ORDER
My dear Colonel, I've not been bred
a forger,"
Out of his pocket Sapt produced q
piece of paper.
There's the Kings signature" he
said, 'and here" he went on. after
another search in his pocket, lis some
tracing paper. If you can't manage a
Rudolf in 10 minutes, why-I can"
Your education has been more~com-
prehensive than mine," said l. You
write it,
And a very tolerable forgery did this
versatile hero produce.
Now, Fritz" said he, ''the King goes
to bed. He is upset. No one is to see
him till o'clock tomorrow. You un-
derstand-no one?"
II understand" answered Fritz.
Michael may come, and claim i'm.
mediate audience. You'll answer that
only Princes of the blood are entitled
to it."
THAT II annoy Michael" laughed
Fritz
You quite understand" asked Sapt
again. IF the door of this room is
opened while we're away you're not to
be alive to tell us about it."
IT need no schooling, Colonel" said
Fritz, trif1e haughtiiy.
Here, wrap yourself in this big
cloak" Sapt continued to me, land put
on this fiat cap. My orderly rides with
me to the shooting lodge tonight"
There's an obstacle" 1 observed.
'"The horse doesn't live that can carry
d. me 40 miles"
"Oh, yes, he does-two of him; ono
here-One at the lodge. Now are you
ready?"
I'm ready" said /.
Fritz held out his hand.
I'm case" said he; and we shook
hands heartily.
Damn your sentiment" growled
Sapt. Come along"
He went, not to the door, but to a
panel in the wall.
I'm the old Kings time" said he, Il
knew this way well.''
1 followed him, and we walked, as
should estimate, near 200 yards along
narrow passage. Then we came to
stout oak door Sapt unlocked it. We
passed through, and found ourselves in
a quiet street that ran along the back
of the palace gardens. A man was
waiting for US with two horses. One
was a magnificent bay, up to any
weight; the other a sturdy brown. Sapt
signed to me to mount the bay. With
out word to the man we mounted and
rode away. The town was full of noise
and merriment but we took secluded
ways. My cloak was wrapped over half
my face; the capacious fiat cap hid
every lock of my teltale hair. BY Sapts
directions / crouched on my saddle, and
rode with such a round back as I hope
never to exhibit on a; horse again. Down
a long, narrow lane we went, meeting
some wanderers and some roisterers;
and as we rode we heard the cathedral
bells still changing out their welcome to
the King. 1t was $50 and still light.
At last we came to the city wall and to
a gate.
Have your weapon ready" whisper
ed Sapt. I'VE must stop his mouth If
he talks"
put my hand on my revolver. sapt
hailed the doorkeeper. The stars fought
for US. little girl Of IA tripped out.
please, sir, fathers gone to see the
King
He'd better have stayed here" said
Sapt to me, grinning.
But he said 1 wasn't to open the
gate, sir
Did he, my dear?" said Sapt. dis,
mounting. Then give me the key"
The key was in the child's hand. Sapt
gave her crown.
Here's an order from the King.
Show it to your father. Orderly, open
the gate"
1 leaped down. Between us we rolled
back the great gate, led our horses out,
and closed it again.
II shall be sorry for the doorkeeper
II Michael finds out that he wasn't
there. Now, then, lad, for a canter We
mustn't go too fast while we're near
the town.
Once, however. outside the city we
ran little danger, for everybody else was
inside, merry-making; and as the even
ing fell we quickened our pace, my
splendid horse bounding along under
me as though 1 had been feather. It
was fine night, and presently the moon
appeared. We talked little on the way.
and chiefly about the progress we were
making.
Il wonder what the Dukes dispatches
told him,'' said /, once.
AYE, / wonder,' responded Sapt
We stopped for a draft of wine
and 20 bait our horses, losing half an
hour thus. l dared not go into the inn,
and stayed with the horses in the stable
Then VIC went ahead again, and had
covered some nve-and-twenty miles
when SapC abruptly stopped.
''Harki'' he cried.
/ listened. Away, far behind US in
the still of the ovening-it was just
9:3G-we heard the beat OF horses
hoofs. The wind. blowing strong be-
hind US, carried the sound. glanced at
Sapt.
Come on" he cried, and spur~ed his
horse into gallon. When we Gcyt