The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-03-19
.6 81! Prisoner
of Zenda
By ANTHONY HOPE
Copyrighted, 1924. 1898. by Henry Holt q
Company
lcoNTINUEpl

y
Il fancy" said be, "that when JOSEF
tells them the king is gone they'll think
1t is because we smelt rat. For you
may swear Black Michael doesn't ex.
pect to see him in Strelsau today"
put the kings helmet on my head
Old Sapt handed me the kings sword,
looking at me long and carefully.
THANK God, he shaved his beardr'
he exclaimed.
."Why did hep l asked.
Because Princess Flavia said he
graZed her cheek when he was gra.
ciously pleased to give her q cousinly
kiss. Come, though, we must ride"
SIS all safe here?"
"Nothing's safe anywhere" said
Sapt, but we can make 1t no safer"
Fritz now rejoined US in the uniform
of a 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 a rapid trot. The
game had begun. What would the is
sue OF it be?
The cool morning air cleared my
head, and / was able to take in all
Sapt said to me. He was wonderful
Fritz hardly spoke. riding like a man
asleep. but Sapt. without another word
for the king, began at once to instruc,
me most infinitely in the history of nv
past life. Of my family, Of my tastes
pursuits, weaknesses, friends, compan
ions and servants. He told me the Ell.
quette Of the Ruritania court, promis
ing to be constantly at my elbow tc
point out everybody whom I ought tc
know and give me hints with what de
gree Of favor to greet them.
"By the way" he said, '.you are a
Catholic. l suppose?'
"Not l." answered.
Lord. he's hereticm groaned SAINT
and forthwith he fell to rudlmentary
lesson in the practices and obseryances
OF the Romish faith.
Luckily" said he, you won't be
expected 10 know much, for the kings
VIGOROUSLY lax and careless about such
matters. But you must be as civil as
butter TO the cardinal. 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 raaayarod Yarx-a ana,,rh 80
explain to the astonished station mas
ter that the king had changed his
plans. The train steamed up. We got
into a first class carriage, and Sapt,
leaning back on the cushions, went on
with his lesson. looked at my
watch-the kings watch IL was, Of
course. 1t was just s.
II wonder IL they've gone to look for
u.s." said.
81 hope they won't find the king"
said Fritz nervously, and this time IL
was Sapt who shrugged his shoulders.
The train travelled well, and at half
past Q, looking out Of the window,
saw the towers and spires Of q great
city.
''Your capital, my liege." grinned old
Sapt. with a wave Of his hand. and,
leaning forward, be laid his finger on
my pulse. "a little too quick" said
be in his grumbhng tone.
I'm not made Of stone!" exclalm-
ed.
you'll do" said he, with q nod.
1--WE must say Fritz here has caught
the ague. Drain your flask, Fritz, for
heavens sake, boy"
Fritz did as be was bid.
''we're an hour early" said sapt.
"we1l send word forward Of your
majesty's arrival. for there'll be no one
here to meet US yet. And MEANWHILE
MEANWHILE" said /, "the king'll be
hanged IL be doesn't have some break
fast"
Old sapt chuekIed 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 tonight
"Amen. said Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
The train stopped. Fritz and Sapt
Ieaped out, uncovered aud held the
door for me. I eh0ked down a lump
that rose In ny throat. settled my bel.
met firmly on my head and u'm not
ashamed 10 say III breathed a short
prayer 70 God. Then I stepped on the
platform Of the station at Strelsau.
A moment later all was hustle and
confusion-men hurrying up, hats in
hand, and hurrying on again: men con-
Quoting me TO the buffet; men mount
ing and riding In hot haste TO the quar-
tiers OF the troops, to the cathedral. to
the residence u Duke Michael. Even
as swallowed the last drop Of my cup
Of coffee the bells throughout oil the
city broke out into a joyful peal. and
the sound Of military band and Of
men cheering smote upon my ear
King Rudolf v. was In his good city
Of Etrelsaul And they shouted outside:
"GOd save the kingg
Old sapts mouth wrlnkled into a
smile.
"God save 'em bothF' be whispered.
Courage, ladF' and felt his hand
press my knee.
CHAPTER v.
fTaTlTH Fritz Won Tarlenheim and
"l (sotntag cant salaao haffrd mn