Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-04-27

Day broke clear and cold we found a
farmer just up and made him give us
sustenauce for ourselves and our
horses. /. feImng a toothache. muf-
hed my face closely. Then ahead
again tin Strelsuu lay before us. It
was s o'clock or nearing @. and the
gates Were all omen. as they always
were save whom the dukes caprice or
intrigucs shut them We rode IN by
The same why as we had come out the
evening before, an four OF us-the men
and the horses -wcaricd and jaded.
The streets were even uuicter than
when we bad gouc-every one was
sleeping or last nights revelry-and
We met hardly "a soul un we reached
the little gate OF the palace There
Sapts old groom was whiting FOR us.
"ls all wen. sirs" he asked.
"Alls WE'LL said Sapt and the man.
coming 10 see. took my hand TO kiss.
'Ihe kings hurt" he cried.
"Its nothing said as dlsmounted.
Il caught ms finger ln the door"
"Rcmembcr. siieucew said Sapt. "Ah.
but my good Freyler I do not need 70
tell you that"
The old fellow shrugged his shout
ders.
"Ah young men Ike 20 ride abroad
now and then-why not the kngy'
said DE, and Sapt's laugh left his opin-
ion OF my motives undisturbed.
you should always trust a man."
observed Sapt fitting tue key In the
lock. '.just as far as you must"
We went in and reached the dressing
room. Flngng open the door. we saw
Fritz Won Tarlenheim stretched. fully
dressed. on the sofa. He seemed to
have been sleeping. but our entry woke
him. lie leaped 90 his feet. gave one
glance az me and with a joyful cry
threw himself on his knees before me.
Thank God. Sire, Thank God.
you're safe'' he cried. stretching his
hand up 10 catch hold Of mine.
l confess that ] was moved This
king. whatever his faults made people
love him. For moment l could not
bear 10 speak or break the poor fell
lows Illusion. But tough old Sapt had
no such feeling lie slapped his hand
on his thigh delightedly.
Bravo. ladr cried he. 1--WE shall
dor
Fritz looked mp in bewilderment 1
held out my hand.
you're wounded. sire.' he exclaim-
ed.
Its only a scratch" said I. but
paused.
He rose to his feet with n bewiIder-
ed air. Holding my hand. he looked
me up and down and down and I'D.
Then suddenly be dropped my hand
and reeled back.
where's the king? Where's the
king?' he cried
Hush. you foolr' Kissed Sapt. "Not
so loud! Here's the king"
A knock sounded az the door. Sapt
seized me by the hand
Here, quick! To the bedroom! OF
with your cap and your boots. Get
into bed. Cover everything up."
did as / was bid. A moment later
Sapt looked in. nodded, grinned and
introduced an extremely smart and
deferential young gentleman. who
came up TO my bedside. bowling again
and again, and Informed me that he
was OF the household OF the Princess
Flavia and that her royal highness had
sent him especially 10 inquire how the
kings health was after the fatigues
which his majesty had undergone yes
terday.
Ny best thanks. sir to my cousin. -
said l. "and tell her royal highness that
/ was never better In my life"
''The king" added old Sapt, who. I
began to find. loved a good lie for its
own sake. has slept without a break
all night"
The young gentleman 0he reminded
me OF Osric In ''Hamlet'0 bowed him
self out again. The farce was over.
and Fritz Won TarleRhein's pale face
recalled US 10 reality. though, in faith.
the farce had to be reality for US now.
"is the king dead?" he whispered.
please God. no." said /. But he's
in the hands OF Black Michael"