Part 5 (1/2)
”Sapt!” said a voice, low but distinct
The old colonel started, and, resting both hands on the sill, bent further out, till he seee on the other side You know,” said the voice, and the head turned; with quick, quiet strokes the le of deep shade fore and the old castle wall Sapt watched hi that voice co was abed; and who spoke in that voice save the king and one other?
Then, with a curse at himself for his delay, he turned and walked quickly across the rooe But here he ran right into the aroing his rounds Sapt knew and trusted hie of Zenda, when Michael kept the king a prisoner, and he bore iven him by Rupert of Hentzau's ruffians He now held a co's Guard
He noticed Sapt's bearing, for he cried out in a low voice, ”Anything wrong, sir?”
”Bernenstein, ht about here Go round to the front, and, hang you, stay there,” said Sapt
The officer stared, as well he ht him by the arm
”No, stay here See, stand by the door there that leads to the royal apartments Stand there, and let nobody pass You understand?”
”Yes, sir”
”And whatever you hear, don't look round”
Bernenstein's bewilderreater; but Sapt was constable, and on Sapt's shoulders lay the responsibility for the safety of Zenda and all in it
”Very well, sir,” he said, with a sub, and he drew his sword and stood by the door; he could obey, although he could not understand
Sapt ran on Opening the gate that led to the bridge, he sped across
Then, stepping on one side and turning his face to the wall, he descended the steps that gave foothold down to the ledge running six or eight inches above the water He also was now in the triangle of deep darkness, yet he knew that aabove his own height And he felt his hand caught in a sudden grip Rudolf Rassendyll was there, in his wet drawers and socks
”Is it you?” he whispered
”Yes,” answered Rudolf; ”I swaot here
Then I threw in a bit of mortar, but I wasn't sure I'd roused you, and I didn't dare shout, so I followed it et on et wet, so I carried ht, it's slippery”
”In God's na Rudolf by the arm as he was directed
”The queen's service When does Rischenheiht”
”The deuce! That's earlier than I thought And the king?”
”Is here and determined to see him It's impossible to move him from it”