Part 3 (1/2)

A Merry Evening with a Distant Relative

I was not so unreasonable as to be prejudiced against the duke's keeper because he dislikedconduct (as it see that I was bound for Strelsau, he ca, and told me that a sister of his who had married a well-to-do tradesman and lived in the capital, had invited hiladly accepted, but now found that his duties would not pered therefore that, if such hus would satisfy ed his sister's acquiescence, and urged the inconvenience and crowding to which I should be subject in my journeys to and from Strelsau the next day

I accepted his offer without a raph to his sister, while I packed up and prepared to take the next train But I still hankered after the forest and the hunting-lodge, and whenten h the forest, hit the railway at a roadside station, I decided to send iven, take one off and was not aware of the change in my plans; but, as its only effect was to delay my arrival at his sister's for a few hours, there was no reason for troubling to inforood lady would waste no anxiety onbiddento return to them on my way home, I set out to climb the hill that led to the Castle, and thence to the forest of Zenda

Half an hour's leisurely walking brought me to the Castle It had been a fortress in old days, and the ancient keep was still in good preservation and very iinal castle, and behind that again, and separated from it by a deep and broad s, was a handso the country residence of the Duke of Strelsau The old and the new portions were connected by a drawbridge, and this indirect e between the old building and the outer world; but leading to the modern chateau there was a broad and handsome avenue It was an ideal residence: when ”Black Michael” desired company, he could dwell in his chateau; if a fit of e and draw it up after hiiment and a train of artillery could fetch hih he could not have the throne or the princess, had, at least, as fine a residence as any prince in Europe

Soon I entered the forest, and walked on for an hour or reat trees enlaced with one another over ht as diaer I was enchanted with the place, and, finding a felled tree-trunk, propped ave myself up to undisturbed contemplation of the solear And when the cigar was finished and I had (I suppose) inhaled as htful sleep, regardless ofafternoon To ree Instead of that, I fell to drea that I was married to the Princess Flavia and dwelt in the Castle of Zenda, and beguiled whole days with lades of the forest--whicha fervent kiss on the char lips of the princess, when I heard (and the voice seeh strident tones

”Why, the devil's in it! Shave hi!”

The idea seeh for a dream: by the sacrifice of my heavy moustache and carefully pointed imperial, I was to be transforain, when I arrived (very reluctantly) at the conclusion that I ake

I openedcostuuns One was rather short and very stoutly built, with a big bullet-shaped head, a bristly grey moustache, and small pale-blue eyes, a trifle bloodshot The other was a slender young fellow, of race and distinction I set the one down as an old soldier: the other for a gentleood society, but not unused to uess was a good one

The elder er to follow He did so, courteously raising his hat I rose slowly to ht, too!” I heard the elder murmur, as he surveyed my six feet two inches of stature Then, with a cavalier touch of the cap, he addressed me:

”May I ask your name?”

”As you have taken the first step in the acquaintance, gentleiveman stepped forith a pleasant smile

”This,” said he, ”is Colonel Sapt, and I am called Fritz von Tarlenhei of Ruritania”

I bowed and, baring my head, answered:

”I aland; and once for a year or two I held a commission from her Majesty the Queen”

”Then we are all brethren of the sword,” answered Tarlenhei out his hand, which I took readily

”Rassendyll, Rassendyll!” ence flitted across his face

”By Heaven!” he cried, ”you're of the Burlesdons?”

”My brother is now Lord Burlesdon,” said I

”Thy head betrayeth thee,” he chuckled, pointing to my uncovered poll

”Why, Fritz, you know the story?”

The young etically at me He felt a delicacy which my sister-in-laould have admired To put him at his ease, I remarked with a s us, it seems”