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Updated: May 5, 2025
Then, at last, I was left alone. Fritz von Tarlenheim was standing by. "By heaven!" he cried, "we waste time. Aren't we going to throw Black Michael by the heels?" "Gently, my son, gently," said Sapt, knitting his brows. "It would be a pleasure, but it might cost us dear. Would Michael fall and leave the King alive?"
He rode up to the servants, and I saw him pass on to the gentleman who rode behind. "It's Rupert of Hentzau," whispered Sapt. Rupert it was, and directly afterwards, waving to the procession to stand still, Rupert trotted up to me. He was in a frock-coat, tightly buttoned, and trousers. He wore an aspect of sadness, and he bowed with profound respect.
"Take it," whispered Sapt, and Rischenheim put out his hand. "Your pardon, my lord, but this has arrived for you," said the man respectfully. "Take it," whispered Sapt again. "Give it me," muttered Rischenheim confusedly; and he took the envelope. The servant bowed and shut the door. "Open it," commanded Sapt. "God's curse on you!" cried Rischenheim in a voice that choked with passion. "Eh?
"Early to-morrow, we you and I " "Oh, I also?" asked the colonel. "Yes; you, Bernenstein, and I will be at the lodge." "That's not impossible, though I have had nearly enough riding." Rudolf fixed his eyes firmly on Sapt's. "You see," he said, "the king reaches his hunting-lodge early in the morning." "I follow you, sire." "And what happens there, Sapt? Does he shoot himself accidentally?"
Bernenstein's hand twitched, but he did not look round. There was discipline in the castle of Zenda. But as Sapt was half-way through the door and Rudolf about to follow him, the other door, that which Bernenstein guarded, was softly yet swiftly opened. Bernenstein's sword was in rest in an instant. A muttered oath from Sapt and Rudolf's quick snatch at his breath greeted the interruption.
I bent, and lifting his hand unclasped the fingers, still limp and warm. Sapt bent down with sudden eagerness. "Is it open?" he whispered. The string was round it; the sealing-wax was unbroken. The secret had outlived the king, and he had gone to his death unknowing. All at once I cannot tell why I put my hand over my eyes; I found my eyelashes were wet.
Hastening back, Fritz told Sapt; and Sapt was for following orders still, and riding at full speed back to Tarlenheim; while Fritz would not hear of abandoning me, let me have ordered what I would.
Bring it and meet us. The business is unsuspected. Rudolf threw the paper across to Sapt; Bernenstein leant over the constable's shoulder and read it eagerly. "I doubt if it would bring me," grinned old Sapt, throwing the paper down. "It'll bring Rupert to Hentzau. Why not?
But his precautions were interrupted by a hoarse, eager, low cry from outside, "Quick! in God's name, quick!" They knew the voice for Bernenstein's. The queen sprang up, Rudolf came out, Sapt turned the key. The lieutenant entered, hurried, breathless, pale. "Well?" asked Sapt. "He has got away?" cried Rudolf, guessing in a moment the misfortune that had brought Bernenstein back.
"Then come alone," he whispered. And she, obedient to the strange hinting in his face, prayed the Marshal and the rest to wait; and she and Sapt came on foot towards where we lay, Sapt waving to the farm-girl to keep at a distance. And when I saw them coming, I sat in a sad heap on the ground, and buried my face in my hands. I could not look at her.
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