Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-05-04


ought 70 do and what I ought to
know-for three hours; then snatched
breakfast with Sapt stu opposite me.
telling me that the king always took
white wine in the morning and was
known 10 detest all highly seasoned
dishes Then came the chancellor for
another three hours. and TO him 7 had
20 explain that the hurt 70 my finger
1--WE turned that bullet 20 happy ac-
count prevented ne from writing.
whence arose great to do, hunting OF
precedents and so forth. ending In nv
making my mark" and the chancellor
nttestinC IL with n superduity OF sol
smn oaths. Then the French ambas-
sador was introduced 70 present his
credentials. Here my ignorance was
OF no Importance. as the king would
have been equally raw 90 the business.
sire worked through the whole corps
diplomatique in the next few days. a
demise Of the crown necessitating oil
This bother.
Then at last I was LETT nlona-
called my new servant eve had chosen
20 succeed poor JOSEF young man
who had never known the king. had
brandy and soda brought 20 me and
observed 20 Sapt that trusted that
might now have n rest
Fritz Won Tarlenheim was standing
by.
by beavenr' he cried. I'VE waste
time. Aren't we going 70 throw Black
Michael by the heelsT'
Gently. nay son, gently said Sapt.
knitting his brows. 1T would DO a
pleasure. but Il might cost Us dear.
Would Michael fall and leave the king
aliveT'
and" I suggested. while the king
Is here IN Strclsau. on his throne, what
grievance has hc against his dear bro
ther MichaeIT'
Are we to DO nothing. then7"
''we're 10 DO nothing stupid growl-
ed Sapt
an fact Fritz" said I. Il nm re-
minded OF n situation in one OF our
English plays, The Critic Have you
heard or it2 or. n you like. or Two
men each covering the other with n re-
volvor. For can't expose Michael
without exposing myself
and the king" put in Sapt
And hang me if Michael won't ex-
pose himself n nc tries to expose mcr'
tits very pretty" said old Sapt.
III I'm found out" 7 pursued. 81
will make n clean breast q IL and fight
az out with the duke. But az present
I'm waiting FOR q move from him."
"Ho'n Kim the king" said Fritz.
''Not hc," said Sapt
sfTTnrF 90 frr - Crs-.r---- 81
said Fritz.
"oniy half? You're sureY' asked
Sapt eagerly.
ayes. only half"
''Then the kings alive. for tho other
three are guarding himw cried Sapt
Eyes, you're rlrhtr' exclaimed Fritz.
his face frightening. "If the king were
dead and buried they'd al be here
with Michael You know AnchaeTs
back. col0nclT'
81 know. curse l,mw
"Gentcucu. gentlemen" said T..
''who are the Sizr"
81 think youI make their acquaiut-
Rnce soon" said Sapt. "Thcy are Six
gentlemen whom Michael maintains
In his household. They belong to him
body ana soul There are three Ruri-
fanians; then there's q Frcnchman. q
belgian and one OF Your countrymou."
They'd au cut q throat If Michael
told ucm" said Fritz
Perhaps they'll cut mine" 1 sug-
Eested
"Nothing more likely" agreed Sapt
"who are here, FritzT'
p 'De Gautet, BcrsoBin and Detchard. !"
''The foreigners. It's as plain as a
pikestRG. He's brought them and left
ne Ruritanians with the king. That's
Because he wants 10 commit the Ruri-
tanians as deep rs he can"
They were none OF them among our
friends ut the lodge, thenT' I asked.
al wish they had BEEN said Sapt
wtstfully. They had been not six, but
-four, by now"
had already developed one attribute
OF royalty feeling that / need not re-
veal all my mind or my secret designs
even 10 my intimate friends. 1 had
fully resolved on my course OF action
4 meant to make myself as popular as
j could and at the same time 10 show
no disfavor 10 Michael. By these
tASoA4o urIitA 10 alldg the lOcuifY OF
his adherents and make it appear, II
an open conflict came about, that he
was ungrateful and not oppressed.
Yet an open conflict was not what I
hoped for
The kings interest demanded secre-
CT. and while secrecy lasted had a
fine game to play IN Strelsau. Michael
should not grow stronger for delay.
/ ordered nay horse and, attended by
Fritz Won Tarlenheim, rode in the
grand new avenue OF the royal park,
returning all the salutes which l re-
ceived with punctilious pollteness.
Then I rode through a few OF the
streets. stopped and bought flowers Of
a pretty girl. paying her with piece
OF gold, and thea. having attracted the
desired amount OF attention for had
a trail OF half a thousand people after
me-, ] rode TO the residence or the
Princess Flavis and asked II she would
- n.