Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-06-01
CHAPTER XXI.

MrdrTnNI td4M IN tue castle or LeUNH.
60 The great pipe that Rupert OF
Hentzau had nlcknamed Jacobs lad
der was gone. and the lights IN the
room across the moat twinkled in the
darkness. All was still: the din and
clash OF strife were gone. I had spent
the day hidden I'm the forest from the
time when Fritz had led me OF. leav-
ing Sapt with the princess. Under
cover OF dusk. muffled up, I had been
brought TO the castle ana lodged where
now lay. Though three men had died
there-two Of them by my hand-I was
not troubled 10y ghosts. had thrown
myself on a pallet by the window and
was looking out ON tie black water.
Johann, the keeper, still pale from his
wound, but not much hurt besides. had
brought me supper. He told me that
the king was doing well that he had
seen the princess; that she and he
Sapt and Fritz had been long together
Marshal Strakencz was gone TO Strel-
sau, Black Michael lay in his coffin.
and Antoinette de Mauban watched by
him. Had / not heard from the chapel
priests singing mass FOR himf
Outside there were strange rumors
anoat Some said that the prisoner OF
Zenda was dead; some. that he had
vanished yet alive; some. that be was
a friend who had served the king well
In some adventure in England: others.
that he had discovered the dukes
plots and had therefore been kidnapped
by him. One or two shrcvd fellows
shook their heads and said only that
they would say nothing. but they had
suspicious that more was TO be known
than was known 10 Colonel Sapt would
tell all be knew.
Thus Johann chartered tll I sent him
away and lay there alone thinking not
- the future. but. as a man IS won't 70
DO when stirring things have happened
TO him. rehearsing the events OF the
past weeks and wondering how
strangely they had fallen out And
above me I'm the stiffness OF the night
I heard the standards Tapping against
their poles. FOR Black Michaers banner
hung there hale mast high. and above
Il the royal dag Of Rurltania. floating
for one night more over my head
Habit grows SO quick that only by
an EFFORT did ! recollcct that Il noated
no longer for me.
Presently Fritz Won Tarlenbeim came
into the room. was standing then by
the window; the glass was opened.
and / was idly lingering the cement
which chung 20 the masonry where
Jacobs ladder" had been. He told
me briefly that the king wanted me.
and together we crossed the draw
bridge and entered the room that had
been Black AIichaers.
The king was lying there Ia bed.
Our doctor from Tarlcnheim was In
attendance on him and whispered TO
me that my visit must be brief. The
king held out his hand and shook mine
Fritz and the doctor withdrew TO the
window.
I took the kings ring from my finger
and placed Il on his.
II have tried not 20 dishonor Il. sire. -
sald /.
Il can't talk much 20 you" he said IN
a weak voice. Il have had a great fight
with Sapt and the marshal. FOR we
have told the marshal everything I
wanted 90 take you 10 Strelsul and
keep you with me and tel every one
OF what you had done. and Won would
have been my bet ana n-arr.t f-iend.
Cousin RUd ia. = tt'ev til M" must
not. and that the secret must be kept.
n kept II can be-"
They are right sire Let me go. Ny
work here Is done"
'-Yes. il is done as no man but you
could have done il. When they see me
again / shall have my beard on. I
shall-yes. faith. shall be wasted with
sickness. They will not wonder that
the king looks changed In face. Cousin,
/ shall try 10 let them find him changed
IN nothing else. You have shown me
how TO play the king"
''Slre," said |. Il can take no praise
from you. II is by the narrowest grace
or God that / was not a worse traitor
than your brother"
BE turned inquiring eyes on me, but
a sick man shrinks from puzzles, and
he had no strength 10 question me. His
glance fell on Flavia's ring, which /
wore / thought he would question me
about IL, but after lingering 1t idly he
let his head fall on his pillow.
again." he said family, almost list
iessly.
''If can ever serve you again, SIRE"
answered.
His eyeiids closed. Fritz came with
The doctor. / kissed the kings hand
and let Fritz lead me away. have
never seen the king since
Outside Fritz turned. not to the right
back toward the drawbridge. but to the
left. and, without speaking, led me up
stairs, through a handsome corridor IL
the chateau.
Where are we going7" / asked.
Looking away from me, Fritz an
swered:
''She has sent for you. When IL Is
over come back to the bridge. III wall
for you there"
what does she wantY' said I
breathing quickly.
he shook his head.
docs she know everythingT,
'Yes, everything"
he opened door and, gently push.
L.