Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 15, 2025
He was held up against the wall for an instant by Rudolf's hand; when that was removed he sank, a heap that looked all head and knees. But hot on the sound of the discharge came a shout and an oath from Bernenstein. He was hurled away from the door, and through it burst Rischenheim and the whole score after him.
"I think, my lord, that the message is an address." "An address! I never thought of that. But I know no Holf." "I don't think it's Holf's address." "Whose, then?" asked Rischenheim, biting his nail, and looking furtively at the constable. "Why," said Sapt, "the present address of Count Rupert of Hentzau." As he spoke, he fixed his eyes on the eyes of Rischenheim.
But Rudolf, great as his powers of self-control were, was but human. When he saw the paper, he leant forward, half rising from his chair. As a result, his face came beyond the shadow of the curtain, and the full morning light beat on it. As Rischenheim took the paper out, he looked up.
"You're going out, my lord?" she asked. "Why, yes; I have business. Pray stand on one side, this passage is so cursedly narrow." Rosa showed no haste in moving. "And the Count Rupert, is he going out also?" she asked. "You see he's not with me. He'll wait." Rischenheim broke off and asked angrily: "What business is it of yours, girl? Get out of the way!" She moved aside now, making him no answer.
The last his cousin saw was his figure standing straight and lithe against the light, while he looked out on the city. Still there was no stir in the streets, still the royal standard floated at the top of the flag staffs. Rischenheim plunged down the stairs: his feet were too slow for his eagerness. At the bottom he found the girl Rosa sweeping the passage with great apparent diligence.
"No; I came straight from the Castle of Zenda." "But," she cried, "he expected to find you at the hunting lodge. Ah, but now I recollect! The Count of Rischenheim was greatly vexed to find, on his return, that his cousin was gone." "Ah, he was gone! Now I see! Rischenheim brought a message from me to Count Rupert." "And they missed one another, your Majesty?" "Exactly, my dear young lady.
"I am come," said Rischenheim, "to put my services in all respects at the queen's disposal." "And at the king's?" asked Sapt. "At the king's? But the king is dead." "Therefore 'Long live the king!" struck in young Bernenstein. "If there should be a king " began Sapt. "You'll do that?" interrupted Rischenheim in breathless agitation.
Bernenstein rose and went out. He was gone about half an hour, being employed in despatching the telegrams to Strelsau. Rudolf and Sapt used the interval to explain to Rischenheim what they proposed to do with him. They asked no pledge, and he offered none. He heard what they said with a dulled uninterested air. When asked if he would go without resistance, he laughed a bitter laugh.
What happened to you?" asked Rischenheim eagerly. "I? Why, having your message which was not your message, I obeyed your directions which were not your directions." "You went to the lodge?" "Certainly." "And you found Sapt there? Anybody else?" "Why, not Sapt at all." "Not Sapt? But surely they laid a trap for you?" "Very possibly, but the jaws didn't bite."
"Then you gave him the letter?" cried Rischenheim, trembling with excitement. "Alas, no, my dear cousin. I threw the box at him, but I don't think he had time to open it. We didn't get to that stage of the conversation at which I had intended to produce the letter." "But why not why not?"
Word Of The Day
Others Looking