Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-06-14

gSS<S0 eAuduSt luto oh al h'Sh"AA'
Sapt lit his pipe. He uttered no con-
gratulations on the marvellous success
Of our wild risk, but his whole bearing
was eloquent Of satisfaction. The trl-
umph, aided perhaps by good wine,
had made new man Of Fritz.
"What day for you to remember"
he cried. "Gad, I'd like to be king
for twelve hours myself! But, Ras-
sendyll, you mustn't throw your heart
too much into the part. don't Won
der Black Michael looked blacker than
ever. You and the princess had SO
much to say to one another"
"How beautiful she isr' I exclaimed.
"Never mind the woman" growled
Sapt. "Are you ready to start?"
EYES," said I, with sigh.
1t was 5 o'clock, and at IL l should
be no more than Rudolf Rassendyll. /
remarked on it in joking tone.
you'll be lucky" observed Sapt
grimly, 'if you're not the late Rudolf
Rassendyll By heaven! feel my
head wabbling on my shoulders every
minute you're in the city. Do you
know. friend, that Michael has had
news from Zenda? He went into
room alone to read it, and he came
out looking like man dazed."
"T'm ready" said l, this news max
ing me none the more eager to linger.
Sapt sat down.
81 must write us an order to leave
the city. Michael's governor, you
know, and we must be prepared for
hindrances. You must sign the order"
"My dear colonel, I've not been
bred forger!'
Out of his pocket Sapt produced
piece of paper.
There's the kings signature" ne
said, "and here" he went on after
another search in his pocket, lis some
tracing paper. If you can't manage a
Rudolf in ten minutes. why-I can"
"Your education has been more COM
prehensive than mine," said /. "You
write it."
And very tolerable forgery did
this versatile hero produce.
"Now, Fritz" said he, 1.-The king
goes to bed. He is upset. No one Is
to see him till 8 o'clock tomorrow.
You UNDERSTANDING one"
81 understand" answered Fritz.
"Michael may come and claim I'M
mediate audience. You'll answer that
only princes of the blood are entitled
to 1t"
"That'n annoy Michael" laughed
Fritz.
"You quite understands asked Sapt
again. IF the door Of this room Is
opened while we're away you're not to
be alive to tell US about it."
81 need no schooling, colonel" SAID
Fritz, trifle haughtily.
"Here, wrap yourself in this big
cloak" Sapt continued to me, land
put on this fat cap. My orderly rides
with me to the shooting lodge tonight"
"There's an obstacle" / observed.
'sThe horse doesn't live that can carry
me forty miles"
ooh, yes, he d0eS-tWO OF nlnl; one
here, one at the lodge. Now are you
readyW
"Im ready" said l.
Fritz held out his hand.
"In case" said he, and we shook
hands heartily.
"Hang your sentiment" growled
Sont "Come along"
He went, not to the door, but to
panel in the WALL
"In the old kings time" said ne, u
knew this way WELL"
I followed him, and we walked, as
should estimate, near two hundred
yards along a narrow passage. Then
we came to stout oak door, Sapt I'M
locked it. We passed through and
found ourselves in a quiet street that
ran along the back OF the palace gar
dens. A man was waiting for us with
two horses. One was magnificent
bay, up to any weight; the other a
sturdy brown. Sapt signed to me 10
mount the bay. Without word 10
the man we mounted and rode away.
The town was full Of noise and merri-
ment. but we took secluded ways My
cloak was wrapped over half my face;
the capacious fat cap hid every lock