Part 11 (1/2)
”Ay, but they can't speak!” roared Sapt in griot 'e the, because we kidnapped the King and murdered his servant Can they say that?”
The position flashed on me Whether Michael knew , what could he do? And if he produced the King, where was he? For a ; but in an instant the difficulties caed
”Perhaps; but every hour's so in Strelsau, or the city will be Michael's in four-and-twenty hours, and ould the King's life be worth then--or his throne? Lad, you ?”
”They'll kill him, if you don't”
”Sapt, suppose they have killed the King?”
”Then, by heaven, you're as good an Elphberg as Black Michael, and you shall reign in Ruritania! But I don't believe they have; nor will they kill him if you're on the throne Will they kill him, to put you in?”
It was a wild plan--wilder even and h; but as I listened to Sapt I saw the strong points in our ga man and I loved action, and I was offered such a hand in such a game as perhaps never man played yet
”I shall be found out,” I said
”Perhaps,” said Sapt ”Coht like rats in a trap if we stay here”
”Sapt,” I cried, ”I'll try it!”
”Well played!” said he ”I hope they've left us the horses I'll go and see”
”We must bury that poor fellow,” said I
”No tirinned ”I , and--Well, do it Go and fetch him, while I look to the horses He can't lie very deep, but I doubt if he'll care about that Poor little Josef! He was an honest bit of a man”
He went out, and I went to the cellar I raised poor Josef in e and thence towards the door of the house
Just inside I laid hi that I must find spades for our task At this instant Sapt caht; there's the own brother to the one that brought you here But you o before he's buried”
”Yes, you will”
”Not I, Colonel Sapt; not for all Ruritania”