Part 5 (2/2)
”That damned hound, Black Michael,” said Fritz between his teeth
”Ay,” said Sapt, ”that he ht not come to be crowned Rassendyll here doesn't know our pretty Michael What think you, Fritz, has Michael no king ready? Has half Strelsau no other candidate? As God's alive,show himself not in Strelsau today I know Black Michael”
”We could carry him there,” said I
”And a very pretty picture he makes,” sneered Sapt
Fritz von Tarlenhei breathed loudly and heavily Sapt stirred hi!” he said; ”but he's an Elphberg and the son of his father, and may I rot in hell before Black Michael sits in his place!”
For ahis bushy grey brows, took his pipe frorows old he believes in Fate Fate sent you here Fate sends you now to Strelsau”
I staggered back, er, bewildered gaze
”Impossible!” I ainst a certainty,” said Sapt ”If you shave, I'll wager you'll not be known Are you afraid?”
”Sir!”
”Come, lad, there, there; but it's your life, you know, if you're known--and o, I swear to you Black Michael will sit tonight on the throne, and the King lie in prison or his grave”
”The King would never forgive it,” I staiveness?”
The clock ticked fifty tiht Then I suppose a look ca:
”You'll go?”
”Yes, I'll go,” said I, and I turnedon the floor
”Tonight,” Sapt went on in a hasty whisper, ”we are to lodge in the Palace The moment they leave us you and I will 's roo will be ready--Josef will tell him--and he must ride back with me to Strelsau, and you ride as if the devil were behind you to the frontier”
I took it all in in a second, and nodded my head
”There's a chance,” said Fritz, with his first sign of hopefulness
”If I escape detection,” said I
”If we're detected,” said Sapt ”I'll send Black Michael down below before I go myself, so help me heaven! Sit in that chair, man”
I obeyed hi ”Josef! Josef!” In three minutes he was back, and Josef with hi of hot water, soap and razors He was tre as Sapt told him how the land lay, and bade hih:
”But the guard! They'll know! they'll know!”