Part 1 (2/2)
”Business! Yes, any business is a good enough excuse for leavingwas ever served so badly as I aet me out of Zenda? nobody wants me, nobody cares whether I live or die”
To reason with such a mood was impossible I could only assure him that I would hasten my return by all possible means
”Yes, pray do,” said he ”I want somebody to look after ainst me? And I can't defend myself can I? I'm not Rudolf Rassendyll, am I?”
Thus, with a mixture of plaintiveness andtill he should be pleased to dismiss me At any rate I was thankful that he entertained no suspicion as to my errand
Had I spoken a word of Mr Rassendyll he would not have letthat I was in comratitude in his breast If he had knohat I carried, I do not think that he could have hated his preserver h; it was none the less painful to perceive
On leaving the king's presence, I sought out the Constable of Zenda He knewdown beside hied how to apprise hiood hu had ruffled hireat reserve of patience
”If we haven't cut one another's throats before then, we shall all be at Zenda by the ti,” he said ”The courtas the king is”
He paused, and then added: ”Destroy the letter if there's any danger”
I nodded my head
”And destroy yourself with it, if there's the only way,” he went on with a surly se at all; but since she must, she'd better have sentat all sentiment, and I took no notice of the terms that he applied to the queen's farewell I contentedthe last part of what he said
”No, it's better you should be here,” I urged ”For if I should lose the letter--though there's little chance of it--you could prevent it frorinned ”But on my life, to run the chance for a letter's sake! A letter's a poor thing to risk the peace of a kingdo that a rumbled the colonel ”Tell Rassendyll fro ood-by and have done with it Good God, is he going to waste all his life thinking of a wonation
”What more is he to do?” I asked ”Isn't his work here done?”
”Ay, it's done Perhaps it's done,” he answered ”At least he has given us back our good king”
To lay on the king the full blame for what he ould have been rank injustice Sapt was not guilty of it, but his disappointment was bitter that all our efforts had secured no better ruler for Ruritania Sapt could serve, but he liked his master to be a man
”Ay, I'm afraid the lad's work here is done,” he said, as I shook hiht came in his eyes ”Perhaps not,” he muttered ”Who knows?”
Aa quiet dinner alone with his wife before he starts on a long journey Such, at least, was a's cousin, Anton von Strofzin, had invited himself to share our meal and our farewell He conversed with his usual airy eossip There were ru carried off to Zenda; that the archbishop ainst low dresses; that the chancellor was to be dishter was to beBut the last bit of his budget caughtat the club,” said Anton, ”that Rupert of Hentzau would be recalled Have you heard anything about it, Fritz?”
If I had known anything, it is needless to say that I should not have confided it to Anton But the suggested step was so utterly at variance with the king's intentions that Ithe report with an authoritative air Anton heard me with a judicial wrinkle on his smooth brow
”That's all very well,” said he, ”and I dare say you're bound to say so
All I know is that Rischenheio”
”Rischenheione?” cried Anton, exultantly ”Why has he suddenly left Strelsau? I tell you he's gone to meet Rupert, and I'll bet you what you like he carries so, Fritz, my boy?”
It was indeed true that I did not know everything I made haste to adone, one,” said I
”You see?” exclaily, ”You should keep your ears open,pays you”
”No less, I trust,” said I, ”for he pays ” Indeed, at this time I held no office save the honorary position of cha needed froiven unofficially