Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-07-26


lady here. Has your majesty heard Of
a certain Nine de Mauban?
"Why, yes" said 1, my eye involun-
tarily travelling toward the castle.
"She arrived in Ruritania about the
same time as this Rassendyll."
caught the projects glance. he
was regarding me with inquiry writ
large on his face.
"Sapt," said I, II must speak word
to the project. Will you ride ON a, few
PAGES with the princess" And add.
ed to the project, "Come, sir, what dc
you meanY'
He drew close to me, and bent In
the saddle.
'If he were in love with the ladyT
he whispered. Nothing has been
heard of him for two months" And
this time it was the eye of the project
which Travelled toward the castle.
eyes, the lady is there" said quiet
ly. "But I don't suppose Mr.. Rassen'
dyll-is that the name?-is."
"The duke" he whispered, "does not
like rivals, SIRE"
you're right there" said /, with all
sincerity. "But surely you hint ut q
very grave charge"
He spread his hands out in apology.
WHISPERED in his ear:
'This Is a grave matter. Go back to
Strelsau''-
"But, sire. if I have clew here?"
$50 back to Strelsau," l repeated.
"Tell the ambassador that you have a
clew, but that you must be left alone
for a week or two. Meanwhile I'll
charge myself with looking into the
matter"
''The ambassador is very pressing,
sire"
"You must quiet him. Come, sir;
you see that if your suspicious are cor
rect It Is an affair in which we must
move with caution. We can have no
scandal Mind you return tonight"
He promised to obey me, and ! rode
on to rejoin my companions, little
easier in my mind. Inquiries after me
must be stopped at all hazards for q
week or two, and this clever official
had come surprisingly near the truth.
His impression might be useful some
day, but if he acted on it now it might
mean the worst to the king Heartily
did curse George Featherly for not
holding his tongue.
"Well," asked Flavia, "have you fin
ished your business?"
"Most satisfactorily" said l. Come,
shall we turn round? We are almost
trenching on my brothers territory"
We were, in fact, at the extreme end
Of the town, just where the hill begins
to mount toward the castle. We cast
our eyes up, admiring the massive
beauty Of the old walls, and we saw a
cortege winding slowly down the hill.
On 1t came.
"Let us go back" said Sapt.
II should like to stay" said Flavia,
and refined my horse beside hers.
We could distinguish the approach
ing party now. There came first two
mounted servants in black uniforms,
relieved only by silver badge. These
were followed by car drawn by four
horses. On it, under heavy pail, lay
a coffin. Behind it rode man in plain
black clothes, carrying his hat in his
hand. Sapt uncovered, and we stood
waiting, Flavia keeping by me and
laying her hand on my arm.
at is one Of the gentlemen killed In
the quarrel, 1 expect" she said.
beckOned to a groom.
"Ride and ask whom they escort" I
ordered.
He rode up to the servants, and 1
saw him pass on to the gentleman who
rode behind.
'Tts Rupert of Hentzau," whispered
Sapt.
Rupert it was, and directly after
ward, waving to the procession to
stand still, Rupert trOtted up to me.
He was in frock coat, tightly but
toned. and trousers. He wore an as
pect Of sadness, and he bowed with
profound respect. Yet suddenly he
smiled, and 1 smiled, too, for old
Sapts hand lay in his left breast peck
ct, and Rupert and l both guessed
what lay in the hand inside the pocket.
"Your majesty asks whom we es-
cort," said Rupert. ut is my dear
friend Albert of Lauengram."
"Sir," said /, mo one regrets the I'M
fortunate affair more than 1. My ordi-
nance, which l mean to have obeyed,
is witness to it."
"Poor fellow said Flavia softly,
and I saw Rupert's eyes flash at her,
whereat I grew red, for if l had my
way Rupert Hentzau should not have
defiled her by so much as a glance.
Yet he did it and dared to let admira-
ton be seen in his look.
'Your majesty's words are gracious"
he said. Il grieve for my friend, yet,
sire, others must soon lie as he lies
now"
ut Is a thing we all do well to re-
member, my lord" 1 rejoined.
"Even kings, SIRE" said Rupert in a
moralizing tone, and old Sapt swOre
softly by my side.
"It is true" said I. How fares my
brother, my lord?'
-..He is better, SIRE"
81 am rejoiced."
"He hopes soon to leave for Strelsau,
when his health is secured"
"He is only convalescent, thenT
''There remain one or two small
troubles" answered the insolent fellow
In the mildest tone in the world.
express my earnest hope" said