Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/187

Rh some present. Then we dined, and wrapping my cloak about my face, with Fritz leading the way, we went downstairs to our horses again.

It was but half-past eight, and hardly yet dark; the streets were full for such a quiet little place, and I could see that gossip was all agog. With the king on one side and the duke on the other, Zenda felt itself the center of all Ruritania. We jogged gently through the town, but set our horses to a sharper pace when we reached the open country.

"You want to catch this fellow Johann?" asked Fritz.

"Aye, and I fancy I've baited the hook right. Our little Delilah will bring our Samson. It is not enough, Fritz, to have no women in a house, though brother Michael shows some wisdom there. If you want safety you must have none within fifty miles."

"None nearer than Strelsau, for instance" said poor Fritz, with a lovelorn sigh.

We reached the avenue of the château, and were soon at the house. As the hoofs of our horses sounded on the gravel Sapt rushed out to meet us