Part 28 (1/2)

”What can you expect of fools like Detchard and De Gautet? I wish I'd been there”

”And the duke interferes?”

”Well,” said Rupertit, perhaps I want to interfere”

”And she prefers the duke?”

”Ay, the silly creature! Ah, well, you think about my plan,” and, with a bow, he pricked his horse and trotted after the body of his friend

I went back to Flavia and Sapt, pondering on the strangeness of the man

Wicked men I have known in plenty, but Rupert Hentzau remains unique in my experience And if there be another anywhere, let hied out of hand So say I!

”He's very handsome, isn't he?” said Flavia

Well, of course, she didn't know hilances would have ry But my dear Flavia was a woht young Rupert very handsome--as, beyond question, the ruffian was

”And how sad he looked at his friend's death!” said she

”He'll have better reason to be sad at his own,” observed Sapt, with a grirew sulky; unreasonable it was perhaps, for what better business had I to look at her with love than had even Rupert's lustful eyes? And sulky I re fell and we rode up to Tarlenhei fallen behind in case anyone should be following us, Flavia, riding close beside h:

”Unless you sry?”

”It was so as we reached the door and dismounted

There a servant handed me a note: it was unaddressed

”Is it for ht it”

I tore it open:

Johann carries this for me I warned you once In the name of God, and if you are a man, rescue me from this den of murderers!--A de M

I handed it to Sapt; but all that the tough old soul said in reply to this piteous appeal was:

”Whose fault brought her there?”

Nevertheless, not being faultless myself, I took leave to pity Antoinette de Mauban

CHAPTER 16