I Receive a Visitor and Bait a HookAbout five miles from Zenda--on the opposite side from that onwhich the Castle is situated1, there lies a large tract2 of wood. It is risingground, and in the centre of the demesne3, on the top of the hill, stands afine modern chateau4, the property of a distant kinsman5 of Fritz's, theCount Stanislas von Tarlenheim. Count Stanislas himself was a studentand a recluse6. He seldom visited the house, and had, on Fritz's request,very readily and courteously7 offered me its hospitality for myself and myparty. This, then, was our destination; chosen ostensibly for the sake of theboar-hunting (for the wood was carefully preserved, and boars, oncecommon all over Ruritania, were still to be found there in considerablenumbers), really because it brought us within striking distance of the Dukeof Strelsau's more magnificent dwelling8 on the other side of the town. Alarge party of servants, with horses and luggage, started early in themorning;we followed at midday, travelling by train for thirty miles, andthen mounting our horses to ride the remaining distance to the chateau.
We were a gallant9 party. Besides Sapt and Fritz, I was accompanied byten gentlemen: every one of them had been carefully chosen, and no lesscarefully sounded, by my two friends, and all were devotedly10 attached tothe person of the King. They were told a part of the truth; the attempt onmy life in the summer-house was revealed to them, as a spur to theirloyalty and an incitement12 against Michael. They were also informed that afriend of the King's was suspected to be forcibly confined within theCastle of Zenda. His rescue was one of the objects of the expedition; but,it was added, the King's main desire was to carry into effect certain stepsagainst his treacherous13 brother, as to the precise nature of which theycould not at present be further enlightened. Enough that the Kingcommanded their services, and would rely on their devotion whenoccasion arose to call for it. Young, well-bred, brave, and loyal, they askedno more: they were ready to prove their dutiful obedience14, and prayed fora fight as the best and most exhilarating mode of showing it.
Thus the scene was shifted from Strelsau to the chateau of Tarlenheimand Castle of Zenda, which frowned at us across the valley. I tried to shiftmy thoughts also, to forget my love, and to bend all my energies to thetask before me. It was to get the King out of the Castle alive. Force wasuseless: in some trick lay the chance; and I had already an inkling of whatwe must do. But I was terribly hampered15 by the publicity16 which attendedmy movements. Michael must know by now of my expedition; and I knewMichael too well to suppose that his eyes would be blinded by the feint ofthe boar-hunt. He would understand very well what the real quarry17 was.
That, however, must be risked--that and all it might mean; for Sapt, no lessthan myself, recognized that the present state of things had becomeunendurable. And there was one thing that I dared to calculate on--not, as Inow know, without warrant. It was this--that Black Michael would notbelieve that I meant well by the King. He could not appreciate--I will notsay an honest man, for the thoughts of my own heart have been revealed-buta man acting18 honestly. He saw my opportunity as I had seen it, as Sapthad seen it; he knew the princess--nay (and I declare that a sneaking19 sortof pity for him invaded me), in his way he loved her; he would think thatSapt and Fritz could be bribed21, so the bribe20 was large enough. Thinkingthus, would he kill the King, my rival and my danger? Ay, verily, that hewould, with as little compunction as he would kill a rat. But he would killRudolf Rassendyll first, if he could; and nothing but the certainty of beingutterly damned by the release of the King alive and his restoration to thethrone would drive him to throw away the trump22 card which he held inreserve to baulk the supposed game of the impudent23 impostor Rassendyll.
Musing on all this as I rode along, I took courage.
Michael knew of my coming, sure enough. I had not been in the housean hour, when an imposing24 Embassy arrived from him. He did not quitereach the impudence25 of sending my would-be assassins, but he sent theother three of his famous Six--the three Ruritanian gentlemen--Lauengram, Krafstein, and Rupert Hentzau. A fine, strapping26 trio theywere, splendidly horsed and admirably equipped. Young Rupert, wholooked a dare-devil, and could not have been more than twenty-two ortwenty-three, took the lead, and made us the neatest speech, wherein my devoted11 subject and loving brother Michael of Strelsau, prayed me topardon him for not paying his addresses in person, and, further, for notputting his Castle at my disposal; the reason for both of these apparentderelictions being that he and several of his servants lay sick of scarletfever, and were in a very sad, and also a very infectious state. So declaredyoung Rupert with an insolent28 smile on his curling upper lip and a toss ofhis thick hair--he was a handsome villain29, and the gossip ran that many alady had troubled her heart for him already.
"If my brother has scarlet27 fever," said I, "he is nearer my complexionthan he is wont31 to be, my lord. I trust he does not suffer?""He is able to attend to his affairs, sire.""I hope all beneath your roof are not sick. What of my good friends,De Gautet, Bersonin, and Detchard? I heard the last had suffered a hurt."Lauengram and Krafstein looked glum32 and uneasy, but young Rupert'ssmile grew broader.
"He hopes soon to find a medicine for it, sire," he answered.
And I burst out laughing, for I knew what medicine Detchard longedfor-- it is called Revenge.
"You will dine with us, gentlemen?" I asked.
Young Rupert was profuse33 in apologies. They had urgent duties at theCastle.
"Then," said I, with a wave of my hand, "to our next meeting,gentlemen. May it make us better acquainted.""We will pray your Majesty34 for an early opportunity," quoth Rupertairily; and he strode past Sapt with such jeering35 scorn on his face that Isaw the old fellow clench36 his fist and scowl37 black as night.
For my part, if a man must needs be a knave38, I would have him adebonair knave, and I liked Rupert Hentzau better than his long-faced,close-eyed companions. It makes your sin no worse, as I conceive, to do ita la mode and stylishly39.
Now it was a curious thing that on this first night, instead of eating theexcellent dinner my cooks had prepared for me, I must needs leave mygentlemen to eat it alone, under Sapt's presiding care, and ride myself withFritz to the town of Zenda and a certain little inn that I knew of. There was little danger in the excursion; the evenings were long and light, and theroad this side of Zenda well frequented. So off we rode, with a groombehind us. I muffled40 myself up in a big cloak.
"Fritz," said I, as we entered the town, "there's an uncommonly41 prettygirl at this inn.""How do you know?" he asked.
"Because I've been there," said I.
"Since--?" he began.
"No. Before," said I.
"But they'll recognize you?""Well, of course they will. Now, don't argue, my good fellow, butlisten to me. We're two gentlemen of the King's household, and one of ushas a toothache. The other will order a private room and dinner, and,further, a bottle of the best wine for the sufferer. And if he be as clever afellow as I take him for, the pretty girl and no other will wait on us.""What if she won't?" objected Fritz.
"My dear Fritz," said I, "if she won't for you, she will for me."We were at the inn. Nothing of me but my eyes was visible as I walkedin. The landlady42 received us; two minutes later, my little friend (ever, Ifear me, on the look-out for such guests as might prove amusing) made herappearance. Dinner and the wine were ordered. I sat down in the privateroom. A minute later Fritz came in.
"She's coming," he said.
"If she were not, I should have to doubt the Countess Helga's taste."She came in. I gave her time to set the wine down--I didn't want itdropped. Fritz poured out a glass and gave it to me.
"Is the gentleman in great pain?" the girl asked, sympathetically.
"The gentleman is no worse than when he saw you last," said I,throwing away my cloak.
She started, with a little shriek43. Then she cried:
"It was the King, then! I told mother so the moment I saw his picture.
Oh, sir, forgive me!""Faith, you gave me nothing that hurt much," said I.
"But the things we said!""I forgive them for the thing you did.""I must go and tell mother.""Stop," said I, assuming a graver air. "We are not here for sport tonight.
Go and bring dinner, and not a word of the King being here."She came back in a few minutes, looking grave, yet very curious.
"Well, how is Johann?" I asked, beginning my dinner.
"Oh, that fellow, sir--my lord King, I mean!"""Sir" will do, please. How is he?""We hardly see him now, sir.""And why not?""I told him he came too often, sir," said she, tossing her head.
"So he sulks and stays away?""Yes, sir.""But you could bring him back?" I suggested with a smile.
"Perhaps I could," said she.
"I know your powers, you see," said I, and she blushed with pleasure.
"It's not only that, sir, that keeps him away. He's very busy at theCastle.""But there's no shooting on now.""No, sir; but he's in charge of the house.""Johann turned housemaid?"The little girl was brimming over with gossip.
"Well, there are no others," said she. "There's not a woman there-- notas a servant, I mean. They do say--but perhaps it's false, sir.""Let's have it for what it's worth," said I.
"Indeed, I'm ashamed to tell you, sir.""Oh, see, I'm looking at the ceiling.""They do say there is a lady there, sir; but, except for her, there's not awoman in the place. And Johann has to wait on the gentlemen.""Poor Johann! He must be overworked. Yet I'm sure he could find halfan hour to come and see you.""It would depend on the time, sir, perhaps.""Do you love him?" I asked.
"Not I, sir.""And you wish to serve the King?""Yes, sir.""Then tell him to meet you at the second milestone44 out of Zendatomorrow evening at ten o'clock. Say you'll be there and will walk homewith him.""Do you mean him harm, sir?""Not if he will do as I bid him. But I think I've told you enough, mypretty maid. See that you do as I bid you. And, mind, no one is to knowthat the King has been here."I spoke45 a little sternly, for there is seldom harm in infusing a little fearinto a woman's liking46 for you, and I softened47 the effect by giving her ahandsome 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 forsuch a quiet little place, and I could see that gossip was all agog48. With theKing on one side and the duke on the other, Zenda felt itself the centre ofall Ruritania. We jogged gently through the town, but set our horses to asharper pace when we reached the open country.
"You want to catch this fellow Johann?" asked Fritz.
"Ay, and I fancy I've baited the hook right. Our little Delilah will bringour Samson. It is not enough, Fritz, to have no women in a house, thoughbrother Michael shows some wisdom there. If you want safety, you musthave none within fifty miles.""None nearer than Strelsau, for instance," said poor Fritz, with alovelorn sigh.
We reached the avenue of the chateau, and were soon at the house. Asthe hoofs49 of our horses sounded on the gravel50, Sapt rushed out to meet us.
"Thank God, you're safe!" he cried. "Have you seen anything ofthem?""Of whom?" I asked, dismounting. He drew us aside, that the groomsmight not hear.
"Lad," he said to me, "you must not ride about here, unless with half adozen of us. You know among our men a tall young fellow, Bernenstein byname?"I knew him. He was a fine strapping young man, almost of my height,and of light complexion30.
"He lies in his room upstairs, with a bullet through his arm.""The deuce he does!""After dinner he strolled out alone, and went a mile or so into thewood; and as he walked, he thought he saw three men among the trees;and one levelled a gun at him. He had no weapon, and he started at a runback towards the house. But one of them fired, and he was hit, and hadmuch ado to reach here before he fainted. By good luck, they feared topursue him nearer the house."He paused and added:
"Lad, the bullet was meant for you.""It is very likely," said I, "and it's first blood to brother Michael.""I wonder which three it was," said Fritz.
"Well, Sapt," I said, "I went out tonight for no idle purpose, as youshall hear. But there's one thing in my mind.""What's that?" he asked.
"Why this," I answered. "That I shall ill requite51 the very great honoursRuritania has done me if I depart from it leaving one of those Six alive-neitherwith the help of God, will I."And Sapt shook my hand on that.
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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demesne
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| n.领域，私有土地 | |
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chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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devotedly
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| 专心地； 恩爱地； 忠实地； 一心一意地 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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incitement
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| 激励； 刺激； 煽动； 激励物 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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strapping
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| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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clench
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| vt.捏紧（拳头等），咬紧（牙齿等），紧紧握住 | |
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scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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stylishly
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| adv.时髦地，新式地 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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milestone
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| n.里程碑；划时代的事件 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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agog
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| adj.兴奋的，有强烈兴趣的； adv.渴望地 | |
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hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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