|
||||||||
Listen, listen! When youre killed, your body will be taken to a low quarter of the town. It will be found there. Michael will at once arrest all your friendsColonel Sapt and Captain von Tarlenheim firstproclaim a state of siege in Strelsau, and send a messenger to Zenda. The other three will murder the King in the Castle, and the duke will proclaim either himself or the princesshimself, if he is strong enough. Anyhow, hell marry her, and become king in fact, and soon in name. Do you see? Its a pretty plot. But why, madame, do you? Say Im a Christianor say Im jealous. My God! shall I see him marry her? Now go; but rememberthis is what I have to tell youthat never, by night or by day, are you safe. Three men follow you as a guard. Is it not so? Well, three follow them; Michaels three are never two hundred yards from you. Your life is not worth a moment if ever they find you alone. Now go. Stay, the gate will be guarded by now. Go down softly, go past the summer-house, on for a hundred yards, and youll find a ladder against the wall. Get over it, and fly for your life. And you? I asked. I have my game to play too. If he finds out what I have done, we shall not meet again. If not, I may yetBut never mind. Go at once. But what will you tell him? That you never camethat you saw through the trick. I took her hand and kissed it. Madame, said I, you have served the King well tonight. Where is he in the Castle? She sank her voice to a fearful whisper. I listened eagerly. Across the drawbridge you come to a heavy door; behind that liesHark! Whats that? There were steps outside. Theyre coming! Theyre too soon! Heavens! theyre too soon! and she turned pale as death. They seem to me, said I, to be in the nick of time. Close your lantern. See, theres a chink in the door. Can you see them? I put my eye to the chink. On the lowest step I saw three dim figures. I cocked my revolver. Antoinette hastily laid her hand on mine. You may kill one, said she. But what then? A voice came from outsidea voice that spoke perfect English. Mr. Rassendyll, it said. I made no answer. We want to talk to you. Will you promise not to shoot till weve done? Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Detchard? I said. Never mind names. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||