Part 11 (2/2)
Thus their plans were laid If they could defeat Rupert, they would have Rischenheim at their mercy If they could keep Rischenheim out of the hile they used his na and killing Rupert Yes, of killing hi less was their purpose, as the constable of Zenda himself has told me
”We would have stood on no ceremony,” he said ”The queen's honor was at stake, and the fellow himself an assassin”
Bernenstein rose and went out He was gone about half an hour, being erams to Strelsau Rudolf and Sapt used the interval to explain to Rischenheie, and he offered none He heard what they said with a dulled uninterested air When asked if he would go without resistance, he laughed a bitter laugh ”How can I resist?” he asked ”I should have a bullet through my head”
”Why, without doubt,” said Colonel Sapt ”My lord, you are very sensible”
”Letdown on hih this affair, to add honor to your prudence, and chivalry to your honor There is still tientleer fro chuckle from old Sapt
A few moments later Bernenstein returned His errand was done, and horses for hiate of the castle After a few final words and clasp of the hand from Rudolf, the lieutenant motioned to his prisoner to acco to all appearance willing companions and in perfect friendliness with one another The queen herself watched theo from the s of her apartment, and noticed that Bernenstein rode half a pace behind, and that his free hand rested on the revolver by his side
It was noell on in the reater with every moment Yet he was resolved to see the queen before he went This interview presented no great difficulties, since her Majesty was in the habit of co to the constable's room to take his advice or to consult with him The hardest task was to contrive afterwards a free and unnoticed escape for Mr
Rassendyll To meet this necessity, the constable issued orders that the coarrisoned the castle should parade at one o'clock in the park, and that the servants should all, after their dinner, be granted permission to watch theoff any curious eyes and allowing Rudolf to reach the forest unobserved They appointed a rendezvous in a handy and sheltered spot; the one thing which they were co chance encounters while he waited Mr
Rassendyll himself was confident of his ability to conceal his presence, or, if need were, so to hide his face that no strange tale of the king being seen wandering, alone and beardless, should reach the ears of the castle or the town
While Sapt was ements, Queen Flavia came to the roo twelve, and young Bernenstein had been gone half an hour Sapt attended her to the door, set a sentry at the end of the passage with orders that her Majesty should on no pretence be disturbed, promised her very audibly to return as soon as he possibly could, and respectfully closed the door after she had entered The constable ell aware of the value in a secret business of doing openly all that can safely be done with openness
All of what passed at that interview I do not know, but a part Queen Flavia herself told to h it was meant to reach my ear, yet to me, a man, she would not disclose it directly First she learnt froh she tre Rupert of Hentzau, she had such love of him and such a trust in his powers that she seean to reproach herself for having brought hi her letter At this he took from his pocket the copy that Rischenheim had carried He had found time to read it, and now before her eyes he kissed it
”Had I as many lives as there are words, ive a life”
”Ah, Rudolf, but you've only one life, and that more ain?”
”I didn't know,” said he; and now they were standing opposite one another
”But I knew,” she said, her eyes shi+ning brightly; ”I kneays that we should meet once more Not how, nor where, but just that we should
So I lived, Rudolf”
”God bless you!” he said
”Yes, I lived through it all”
He pressed her hand, knohat that phrase meant and must mean for her
”Will it last forever?” she asked, suddenly gripping his hand tightly
But a moment later she went on: ”No, no, I lad I wrote the letter, and half glad they stole it It's so sweet to have you fighting for , for me!”
”Sweet indeed, my dearest lady Don't be afraid: we shall win”
”You in, yes And then you'll go?” And, dropping his hand, she covered her face with hers