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

/ 1881 ufne they might prove In
Gzx9 structive 10 people who are
not familiar with the insldes OF pal
aces; IL I revealed some OF the secrets
learned they might prove OF interest
TO the statesmen CT Europe intend
10 do neither OF these things. 1 should
be between the scylla Of dullneSs and
the Charybdis or indiscretioD. and I
feel that had FAR better cOnfine NY
self strictly 10 the underground drama
which was being played beneath the
surface OF Rurtsnian politics. 1 need
only say that the secret Of my i'm
posture defied detection I made mis-
takes. bag bad minutes. Ii needed
all the tact and graciousness whereof
1 was master 70 smooth over some an
parent lapses Of memory and unmind-
fitness Of old acqusintances or which
was guilty. Bat I escaped, and I
attributed my escape, as have said
before, most of all TO the very audac-
ity Of the enterprise IL Is my belief
that, given the necessary physical like
ness. Il was FAR easier TO pretend TO
be king or Ruritania than Il would
have been 70 personate my next door
neighbor.
one day Sapt came into my room.
he threw me o letter, saying:
That's FOR you-a woman's hand.
think. But I've some news for you
FIRST"
whats thatY'
''The kings at the castle OF Zenda."
said he.
How do you knowY'
Because the other half OF MichaeTs
Six are there. I had inquiries made,
and they're an there Lauengrau,
Krafstein and Young Rupert Hentzau-
three rogues. too, on my honor. as fine
as live in Rur.tania~
"Weug"
"Weil. Fritz wants you 10 march 20
the castle with horse. foot and artil.
lery"
And drag che moatT' ] asked.
THAT would Toe about It," grinned
Sapt, 'and we shouldn't ind the kings
body then"
"N0u think it's certain he's thereI-
~ cry probable Besides the fact Of
those three being there. the drawbridce
Is kept mp anu no one goes in without
IN order from young Hentzau or Black
Michael himself. We must tie Fritz
up"
"Ill 60 10 Zcnda," said I.
You're mad"
'Some day"
"Oh. perhaps. You'll very likely stay
there. though. 10 You do"
THAT may De-. my friend" said I
! carclessly.
His majesty looks sulky," observed
, SSNt flows tie love anairfT
Hold your touguer' I said
He looked at ue for a moment. Then
he DC his pipe. 10 was quite true that
I was in bad temper. and ! went on
! perversely.
Wherever I 60 I'm logged by hair a
| dozen fellows"
81 know YOU are send 'em," he re.
/ piled comrosediv.
"What f1rT
Well said Sapt putting away. EFT
wouldn't lc exactly IncouveuIcnt for
Black Michael 10 you disappeared
With you zone the old game that we
/ stopped would be played-or he'd have
q shot at IT,
ct can take care Of myself"
"De Gautet Bersonin and Detchard
I are in Suelsau and any one OF them.
I lad. would cut your throat as readily
as readily as 1 would Black MIchaers
and deal more treacherously. What's
/ the letter.
! ] opened it and read Il aloud:
! II thc Ang desires 10 know what Il
/ cecply concerns the king 20 know let him
/ GO as tt.r ..tter bids him. Al tho end Of
/ me New r.enue there stands a house IN
| large grounds. The house has portico.
/ with statue OF q nymph ga 70. A wall
/ incloscs t1o garden; there - a gats IN the
/ wall at tac back. At - o'clock tonight
/ IL the king enters alone by that gate.
/ turns 90 lie right and walks twenty
| yards he WIN find q summer house an
/ preached ly flight o. six steps. II he
mounts ana enters he win ind some one
! who WIN ten him what touches most
dearly h.s life and his throne. This Is
, written by a faithful friend. lie must
/ be alone. II he neslects the invitation
/ his life VIII be IN danger. Let him show
/ this 10 no one. or he VIII r1fn a woman
who loves him-Black Michael does not
! pardon.
'No' observed Sapt as ended. "but
he can dictate a very pretty letter"
/ had arrived at the Same conclusion
and was about to throw the letter away
when / saw there was more writing on
/ the other side.
Hello, There's some more"
II YOU hesitate 1.-THE writer continued
consult Colonel sapt-
! "EhF" exclaimed that gentleman. gen
Hinely astonished. docs she take me
for n greater fool than your"
/ waved 10 him to be silent
Ask him what woman would DO most
TO prevent the duke from marrying his
I cousin and therefore most TO prevent his
becoming king? And ask II her name be-
/ gins with-A.
l sprang TO my feet Sapt laid down
/ his pipe.
"Antoinette de Mauban, by heavenF'
( cried
'How do you known asked Sapt.
/ ] told him what ! knew OF the lady
and how l knew II. He nodded.
! ''Its so far true that she's had a
great row with Michael" said he
thoughtfully.