The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-09
CONTINUED from second page.)


was regarding me with inquiry wit
large on his face.
"Sapt," said l, II must speak a word
to the project. Will you ride on few
PAGES with the princessg' And / add.
ed TO the project, .'Come, sir. What do
you meanT
He drew close to me, and bent In
the saddle.
IF he were In love with the lady?r
he whispered. Nothing has been
heard of him for two months" And
this time it was the eye of the project
which Travelled toward the castle.
Eyes, the lady is there" I said quiet
~. But don't suppose. Mr.. Rassen-
dyll--is that the name?-is.'
"The duke" ne whispered, "does not
like rivals, sire"
you're right there" said I, with all
sincerity. But surely you hint at
very grave charge"
He spread his hands out in apology.
| whispered in his ear:
"This is a grave matter. Go back to
Strelsau''-
|. But, sire. If / have clew here?"
$50 back to Strelsau," I repeated.
TELL the ambassador that You have a
clew, but that you must be left alone
for a 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 IL your suspicious are cor
rect it is an affair in which we must
move with caution. 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 al hazards for a
week or two. and this clever official
had come surprisingly near the truth
His impression might be useful some
day. but IL he acted en- II now 1t might
mean the worst to the king. Heartily
1 uAu NulGf AfE1A - EANeANAAl ANA AA9A
holding his tongue.
We'll" asked Fiavia. have you fin
ished your business:"
Most satisfactorily" said I. 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 begin:
to mount toward the castle. We cast
our eyes up, admiring the massive
beauty Of the old walls. and we saw &
cortege winding slowly down the hill
On il came.
"Let US 90 back" said Sapt.
81 should like to stay" said Fiayia
and / refined my horse beside hers.
We could distinguish the approach
ing party now. There came first TIVE
mounted servants in black uniforms
relieved only by silver badge. Thesl
were followed by car drawn by fou
horses. On it, under heavy pail. la!
coffin. Behind ii rode man In plail
black clothes, carrying his hat in hi
hand. Sapt uncovered. and we stoo'
waiting. Flavia keeping by me AM
laying her hand on my arm.
at is one Of the gentlemen killed Il
/ the quarrel, expect" she said.
beckoned to a groom.
: "RIde and ask whom they escort"
ordered.
, He rode up to the servants. and
saw him pass on to the gentleman VIII
rode behind.
Its Rupert Of Hentzau." whispere
Sapt.
Rupert It was, and directly afteI
ward, waving to the procession
stand still. Rupert trotted up 10 M
lie was In a frock coat, tightly bu
4 toned. and trousers. lie wore an al
pect Of sadness, and he bowed wit
profound respect. Yet suddenly b
4 smiled. and smiled. too, for oil
Sapts hand lay In his left breast pocl
ct. and Rupert and | both guesse
what lay In the hand inside the poke
"Your majesty asks whom we e
. cort." said Rupert. ut Is my del
friend Albert Of Lauengram."
"sir." said I. mo one regrets the VI
fortunate affair more than I. My ord
= nance, which mean 10 have obeye
J. IL witness to t."
"Poor feIlOw! said FlavIa softl
and I saw Rupert's eyes fash at he
whereat I grew red, for II had n
!, way Rupert Hentzau should not ha'
e defiled her by 80 much as a gianC
Il Yet he did II and dared to let admir-
r ton be seen in his look.
e "Your maJesty's words are gracious
he said. II grieve for my friend, -
sire. others must soon lie as he II
now"
= "Tt IL a thing we all do we'll TO
member. my lord" ! reJoined.
"Even kings. sire" said Rupert in
moralizIng tone. and old sapt swo
softly by my side.
\ ut Is true" said I. allow fares d
II brother, my lordT"
VI "IIe IL better. sire"
= II am rejoiced"
: "IIe hopes soon to leave for strelsa
when his health II secured"
r. "IIe In only c0nyalescent. them
N "There remain one or two sm