Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/241

221 to me, and unfolded the plan that I had formed. Sapt shook his head over it.

"Why can't you wait?" he asked.

"The king may die."

"Michael will be forced to act before that."

"Then," said I, "the king may live."

"Well, and if he does?"

"For a fortnight?" I asked simply.

And Sapt bit his mustache.

Suddenly Fritz von Tarlenheim laid his hand on my shoulder.

"Let us go and make the attempt," said he.

"I mean you to go—don't be afraid," said I.

"Aye, but do you stay here and take care of the princess!"

A gleam came into old Sapt's eye.

"We should have Michael one way or the other then," he chuckled; "whereas if you go and are killed with the king what will become of those of us who are left?"

"They will serve Queen Flavia," said I, "and I would to God I could be one of them."