Part 3 (2/2)
”Known!” cried Sapt ”If you stay here, the deuce a man in all Ruritania will doubt of it--or a woan to feel uncoree I carried about withbefore I visited Ruritania However, I was in for it now
At thisvoice sounded from the wood behind us:
”Fritz, Fritz! where are you, man?”
Tarlenhei!”
Old Sapt chuckled again
Then a young man jumped out from behind the trunk of a tree and stood beside us As I looked at hithe hair on ave hi also that he lacked perhaps half an inch--nay, less than that, but still soht have been Rudolf Rassendyll, and I, Rudolf, the King
For an instant we stood ain and bowed respectfully The King found his voice, and asked in bewilderentleman?”
I was about to anshen Colonel Sapt stepped between the King andtowered over Sapt, and, as he listened, his eyes now and again soughtand carefully The likeness was certainly astonishi+ng, though I saw the points of difference also The King's face was slightly more fleshy than mine, the oval of its contour the least triflesoathered fro lips But, for all that, and above all , salient, wonderful
Sapt ceased speaking, and the King still frowned Then, gradually, the corners of his an to twitch, his nose cah), his eyes twinkled, and, behold! he burst into the h the woods and proclaimed hi up tostill ”You ive me if I was taken aback A man doesn't expect to see double at this time of day, eh, Fritz?”
”I must pray pardon, sire, for my presumption,” said I ”I trust it will not forfeit your Majesty's favour”
”By Heaven! you'll always enjoy the King's countenance,” he laughed, ”whether I like it or not; and, sir, I shall very gladly add to it what services I can Where are you travelling to?”
”To Strelsau, sire--to the coronation”
The King looked at his friends: he still sh his expression hinted soht hiain
”Fritz, Fritz!” he cried, ”a thousand crowns for a sight of brother Michael's face when he sees a pair of us!” and the ain
”Seriously,” observed Fritz von Tarlenhei Strelsau just now”
The King lit a cigarette
”Well, Sapt?” said he, questioningly
”He rowled the old fellow
”Come, colonel, you mean that I should be in Mr Rassendyll's debt, if--”
”Oh, ay! wrap it up in the right way,” said Sapt, hauling a great pipe out of his pocket
”Enough, sire,” said I ”I'll leave Ruritania today”