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Updated: June 15, 2025
Bernenstein's bewilderment grew greater; but Sapt was constable, and on Sapt's shoulders lay the responsibility for the safety of Zenda and all in it. "Very well, sir," he said, with a submissive shrug, and he drew his sword and stood by the door; he could obey, although he could not understand. Sapt ran on. Opening the gate that led to the bridge, he sped across.
Rassendyll did not loose his hold of Sapt's hands, but he sank slowly on to his knees. Sapt seemed paralyzed. Again Bernenstein cried out. It was a name this time. "Bauer! By God, Bauer!" he cried. In an instant he was across the path and by the trees. The assassin fired again, but now he missed. We saw the great sword flash high above Bernenstein's head and heard it whistle through the air.
At twelve o'clock, Sapt's command left the chateau of Tarlenheim and struck off to the right, riding by unfrequented roads, and avoiding the town of Zenda. If all went well, they would be in front of the Castle by about a quarter to two. Leaving their horses half a mile off, they were to steal up to the entrance and hold themselves in readiness for the opening of the door.
Good God, is he going to waste all his life thinking of a woman he never sees?" Sapt's air was full of indignation. "What more is he to do?" I asked. "Isn't his work here done?" "Ay, it's done. Perhaps it's done," he answered. "At least he has given us back our good king." To lay on the king the full blame for what he was would have been rank injustice.
"All young men like to ride abroad now and again, why not the King?" said he; and Sapt's laugh left his opinion of my motives undisturbed. "You should always trust a man," observed Sapt, fitting the key in the lock, "just as far as you must." We went in and reached the dressing-room. Flinging open the door, we saw Fritz von Tarlenheim stretched, fully dressed, on the sofa.
He was sullen, and afraid; but, to say truth, after young Rupert's exploit, we also had our fears, and, if he got as far as possible from Sapt's formidable six-shooter, Sapt kept him as far as he could from me. Moreover, when he came in his hands were bound, but that I would not suffer.
If the king's delay seemed strange at six, it was stranger at seven, and by eight most strange. We had long since ceased to talk lightly; by now we had lapsed into silence. Sapt's scoldings had died away. Evening had fallen. We did not know what to do, nor even whether we ought to do anything.
"Then," said I, "the King may live." "Well, and if he does?" "For a fortnight?" I asked simply. And Sapt bit his moustache. Suddenly Fritz von Tarlenheim laid his hand on my shoulder. "Let us go and make the attempt," said he. "I mean you to go don't be afraid," said I. "Ay, but do you stay here, and take care of the princess." A gleam came into old Sapt's eye.
Yet suddenly he smiled, and I smiled too, for old Sapt's hand lay in his left breast-pocket, and Rupert and I both guessed what lay in the hand inside the pocket. "Your Majesty asks whom we escort," said Rupert. "It is my dear friend, Albert of Lauengram." "Sir," said I, "no one regrets the unfortunate affair more than I. My ordinance, which I mean to have obeyed, is witness to it."
Even as I swallowed the last drop of my cup of coffee, the bells throughout all the city broke out into a joyful peal, and the sound of a military band and of men cheering smote upon my ear. King Rudolf the Fifth was in his good city of Strelsau! And they shouted outside "God save the King!" Old Sapt's mouth wrinkled into a smile. "God save 'em both!" he whispered.
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