Part 3 (1/2)
”The offices will be shut, sir”
”Jaood, sir; but it ive you half an hour Have you money?”
”Yes, sir”
”And now,” added Rudolf, turning to o to bed”
I do not recollect what I answered, for ain, and I remember only that Rudolf himself helped me into his own bed I slept, but I do not think he soto awake once or twice, I heard hi I slept heavily, and I did not knohat he was doing then At eight o'clock James entered and roused me He said that a doctor was to be at the hotel in half an hour, but that Mr Rassendyll would like to see ed James to summon his master at once Whether I were equal or unequal, the business had to be done
Rudolf caer and the need for exertion acted on hiood wine on a seasoned drinker He was not only himself, but more than himself: his excellences enhanced, the indolence that hed off But to-day there was so more; I can only describe it as a kind of radiance I have seen it on the faces of young sparks when the lady they love colow irl's eyes when so out of the ordinary asked her for a dance That strange gleam was on Rudolf's face as he stood by my bedside I dare say it used to be on
”Fritz, old friend,” said he, ”there's an answer froraph offices were stirred in Zenda as well as Ja! And what do you think? Rischenheim asked for an audience before he left Strelsau”
I raised myself on my elbow in the bed
”You understand?” he went on ”He left on Monday To-day's Wednesday
The king has granted him an audience at four on Friday Well, then--”
”They counted on success,” I cried, ”and Rischenheim takes the letter!”
”A copy, if I know Rupert of Hentzau Yes, it ell laid I like theall the cabs! How h I had no more doubt than he that Rupert's hand was in the business
”Well,” he continued, ”I a to wire to Sapt to put Rischenheiet the king away from Zenda”
”But Rischenheim must have his audience sooner or later,” I objected
”Sooner or later--there's the world's difference between them!” cried Rudolf Rassendyll He sat down on the bed by me, and went on in quick, decisive words: ”You can't e to Sapt Tell him to keep you inforo to Strelsau, and let Sapt know directly you arrive We shall want your help”
”And what are you going to do?” I cried, staring at him
He looked atfeelings I saw resolve there, obstinacy, and the scorn of danger; fun, too, and merriment; and, lastly, the saarette; now he threw the end of it into the grate and rose fro to Zenda,” said he
”To Zenda!” I cried, aain to Zenda, Fritz, old fellow By heaven, I kneould come, and now it has come!”
”But to do what?”
”I shall overtake Rischenheiets there first, Sapt will keep hi till I co Yes, if I coh ”What!” he cried, ”have I lost ? Yes, if I co of Zenda, and the king will be very gracious to hi will take his copy of the letter fro Rudolf in the castle of Zenda, never fear!”
He stood, looking to see how I received his plan; but aasp
Rudolf's exciteain the cool, shrewd, nonchalant Englisharette, he proceeded:
”You see, there are two of them, Rupert and Rischenheim Now you can't move for a day or two, that's certain But there must be two of us there in Ruritania Rischenheim is to try first; but if he fails, Rupert will risk everything and break through to the king's presence Give hi, and the mischief's done! Very well, then; Sapt must keep Rupert at bay while I tackle Rischenheio to Strelsau, and let Sapt knohere you are”
”But if you're seen, if you're found out?”