Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/158

140 Sapt advanced his hand toward the rose, but, with a quick movement, I shut mine down upon it.

"That's mine," I said, "not yours—nor the king's either."

"We struck a good blow for the king to-night," said he.

I turned on him fiercely.

"What's to prevent me striking a blow for myself?" I said.

He nodded his head.

"I know what's in your mind," he said. "Yes, lad; but you're bound in honor."

"Have you left me any honor?"

"Oh, come! to play a little trick on a girl——"

"You can spare me that. Colonel Sapt, if you would not have me utterly a villain—if you would not have your king rot in Zenda, while Michael and I play for the great stake outside—— You follow me?"

"Aye, I follow you."

"We must act, and quickly! You saw to-night—you heard to-night——"

"I did," said he.