Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/58

 Zenda, Fritz, old fellow. By Jove, I knew it would come, and now it has come!"

"But to do what?"

"I shall overtake Rischenheim, or be hot on his heels. If he gets there first, Sapt will keep him waiting till I come; and if I come, he shall never see the King. Yes, if I come in time——" He broke into a sudden laugh. "What?" he cried. "Have I lost my likeness? Can't I still play the King? Yes, if I come in time, Rischenheim shall have his audience of the King at Zenda, and the King will be very gracious to him, and the King will take his copy of the letter from him. Oh, Rischenheim shall have an audience of King Rudolf in the castle of Zenda, never fear!"

He stood, looking to see how I received his plan; but, amazed at the boldness of it, I could only lie back and gasp.

Rudolf's excitement left him as suddenly as it had come; he was again the cool, shrewd, nonchalant Englishman, as, lighting another cigarette, 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 him five minutes with the King, and the mischief's done. Very