Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/50

36 "To Strelsau, sire—to the coronation."

The king looked at his friends: he still smiled, though his expression hinted some uneasiness. But the humorous side of the matter caught him again.

"Fritz, Fritz!" he cried, "a thousand crowns for a sight of brother Michael's face when he sees a pair of us!" and the merry laugh rang out again.

"Seriously," observed Fritz von Tarlenheim, "I question Mr. Rassendyll's wisdom in visiting Strelsau just now."

The king lit a cigarette.

"Well, Sapt?" said he questioningly.

"He mustn't go," growled the old fellow.

"Come, colonel, you mean that I should be in Mr. Rassendyll's debt if——"

"Oh, aye! wrap it up in the right way," said Sapt, hauling a great pipe out of his pocket.

"Enough, sire," said I. "I'll leave Ruritania to-day."

"Now, by thunder, you shan't and that's sans phrase, as Sapt likes it. For you shall dine with