الفصل الفصل 5 · AN AUDIENCE OF THE KING

. AN AUDIENCE OF THE KING

Having come thus far in the story that I set out to tell, I have half a

mind to lay down my pen, and leave untold how from the moment that Mr.

Rassendyll came again to Zenda a fury of chance seemed to catch us all

in a whirlwind, carrying us whither we would not, and ever driving us

onwards to fresh enterprises, breathing into us a recklessness that

stood at no obstacle, and a devotion to the queen and to the man she

loved that swept away all other feeling. The ancients held there to be a

fate which would have its fill, though women wept and men died, and

none could tell whose was the guilt nor who fell innocent. Thus did they

blindly wrong God’s providence. Yet, save that we are taught to believe

that all is ruled, we are as blind as they, and are still left wondering

why all that is true and generous and love’s own fruit must turn so

often to woe and shame, exacting tears and blood. For myself I would

leave the thing untold, lest a word of it should seem to stain her whom

I serve; it is by her own command I write, that all may one day, in

time’s fullness, be truly known, and those condemn who are without sin,

while they pity whose own hearts have fought the equal fight. So much

for her and him; for us less needs be said. It was not ours to weigh her

actions; we served her; him we had served. She was our queen; we bore

Heaven a grudge that he was not our king. The worst of what befell was

not of our own planning, no, nor of our hoping. It came a thunderbolt

from the hand of Rupert, flung carelessly between a curse and a

laugh; its coming entangled us more tightly in the net of circumstances.

Then there arose in us that strange and overpowering desire of which I

must tell later, filling us with a zeal to accomplish our purpose, and

to force Mr. Rassendyll himself into the way we chose. Led by this star,

we pressed on through the darkness, until at length the deeper darkness

fell that stayed our steps. We also stand for judgment, even as she and

he. So I will write; but I will write plainly and briefly, setting down

what I must, and no more, yet seeking to give truly the picture of that

time, and to preserve as long as may be the portrait of the man whose

like I have not known. Yet the fear is always upon me that, failing to

show him as he was, I may fail also in gaining an understanding of how

he wrought on us, one and all, till his cause became in all things

the right, and to seat him where he should be our highest duty and our

nearest wish. For he said little, and that straight to the purpose;

no high-flown words of his live in my memory. And he asked nothing for

himself. Yet his speech and his eyes went straight to men’s hearts and

women’s, so that they held their lives in an eager attendance on his

bidding. Do I rave? Then Sapt was a raver too, for Sapt was foremost in

the business.

At ten minutes to eight o’clock, young Bernenstein, very admirably

and smartly accoutred, took his stand outside the main entrance of

the castle. He wore a confident air that became almost a swagger as he

strolled to and fro past the motionless sentries. He had not long to

wait. On the stroke of eight a gentleman, well-horsed but entirely

unattended, rode up the carriage drive. Bernenstein, crying “Ah, it is

the count!” ran to meet him. Rischenheim dismounted, holding out his

hand to the young officer.

“My dear Bernenstein!” said he, for they were acquainted with one

another.

“You’re punctual, my dear Rischenheim, and it’s lucky, for the king

awaits you most impatiently.”

“I didn’t expect to find him up so soon,” remarked Rischenheim.

“Up! He’s been up these two hours. Indeed we’ve had the devil of a

time of it. Treat him carefully, my dear Count; he’s in one of his

troublesome humors. For example--but I mustn’t keep you waiting. Pray

follow me.”

“No, but pray tell me. Otherwise I might say something unfortunate.”

“Well, he woke at six; and when the barber came to trim his beard there

were--imagine it, Count!--no less than seven gray hairs.” The king fell

into a passion. “Take it off!” he said. “Take it off. I won’t have

a gray beard! Take it off!’ Well what would you? A man is free to be

shaved if he chooses, so much more a king. So it’s taken off.”

“His beard!”

“His beard, my dear Count.” Then, after thanking Heaven it was gone,

and declaring he looked ten years younger, he cried, “The Count

of Luzau-Rischenheim breakfasts with me to-day: what is there for

breakfast?” And he had the chef out of his bed and--“But, by heavens,

I shall get into trouble if I stop here chattering. He’s waiting most

eagerly for you. Come along.” And Bernenstein, passing his arm through

the count’s, walked him rapidly into the castle.

The Count of Luzau-Rischenheim was a young man; he was no more versed

in affairs of this kind than Bernenstein, and it cannot be said that he

showed so much aptitude for them. He was decidedly pale this morning;

his manner was uneasy, and his hands trembled. He did not lack courage,

but that rarer virtue, coolness; and the importance--or perhaps the

shame--of his mission upset the balance of his nerves. Hardly noting

where he went, he allowed Bernenstein to lead him quickly and directly

towards the room where Rudolf Rassendyll was, not doubting that he was

being conducted to the king’s presence.

“Breakfast is ordered for nine,” said Bernenstein, “but he wants to see

you before. He has something important to say; and you perhaps have the

same?”

“I? Oh, no. A small matter; but--er--of a private nature.”

“Quite so, quite so. Oh, I don’t ask any questions, my dear Count.”

“Shall I find the king alone?” asked Rischenheim nervously.

“I don’t think you’ll find anybody with him; no, nobody, I think,”

answered Bernenstein, with a grave and reassuring air.

They arrived now at the door. Here Bernenstein paused.

“I am ordered to wait outside till his Majesty summons me,” he said in

a low voice, as though he feared that the irritable king would hear him.

“I’ll open the door and announce you. Pray keep him in a good temper,

for all our sakes.” And he flung the door open, saying, “Sire, the Count

of Luzau-Rischenheim has the honor to wait on your Majesty.” With this

he shut the door promptly, and stood against it. Nor did he move, save

once, and then only to take out his revolver and carefully inspect it.

The count advanced, bowing low, and striving to conceal a visible

agitation. He saw the king in his arm-chair; the king wore a suit of

brown tweeds (none the better for being crushed into a bundle the night

before); his face was in deep shadow, but Rischenheim perceived that the

beard was indeed gone. The king held out his hand to Rischenheim, and

motioned him to sit in a chair just opposite to him and within a foot of

the window-curtains.

“I’m delighted to see you, my lord,” said the king.

Rischenheim looked up. Rudolf’s voice had once been so like the king’s

that no man could tell the difference, but in the last year or two the

king’s had grown weaker, and Rischenheim seemed to be struck by the

vigor of the tones in which he was addressed. As he looked up, there was

a slight movement in the curtains by him; it died away when the count

gave no further signs of suspicion, but Rudolf had noticed his surprise:

the voice, when it next spoke, was subdued.

“Most delighted,” pursued Mr. Rassendyll. “For I am pestered beyond

endurance about those dogs. I can’t get the coats right, I’ve tried

everything, but they won’t come as I wish. Now, yours are magnificent.”

“You are very good, sire. But I ventured to ask an audience in order

to--”

“Positively you must tell me about the dogs. And before Sapt comes, for

I want nobody to hear but myself.”

“Your Majesty expects Colonel Sapt?”

“In about twenty minutes,” said the king, with a glance at the clock on

the mantelpiece.

At this Rischenheim became all on fire to get his errand done before

Sapt appeared.

“The coats of your dogs,” pursued the king, “grow so beautifully--”

“A thousand pardons, sire, but--”

“Long and silky, that I despair of--”

“I have a most urgent and important matter,” persisted Rischenheim in

agony.

Rudolf threw himself back in his chair with a peevish air. “Well, if you

must, you must. What is this great affair, Count? Let us have it over,

and then you can tell me about the dogs.”

Rischenheim looked round the room. There was nobody; the curtains were

still; the king’s left hand caressed his beardless chin; the right was

hidden from his visitor by the small table that stood between them.

“Sire, my cousin, the Count of Hentzau, has entrusted me with a

message.”

Rudolf suddenly assumed a stern air.

“I can hold no communication, directly or indirectly, with the Count of

Hentzau,” said he.

“Pardon me, sire, pardon me. A document has come into the count’s hands

which is of vital importance to your Majesty.”

“The Count of Hentzau, my lord, has incurred my heaviest displeasure.”

“Sire, it is in the hopes of atoning for his offences that he has sent

me here to-day. There is a conspiracy against your Majesty’s honor.”

“By whom, my lord?” asked Rudolf, in cold and doubting tones.

“By those who are very near your Majesty’s person and very high in your

Majesty’s love.”

“Name them.”

“Sire, I dare not. You would not believe me. But your Majesty will

believe written evidence.”

“Show it me, and quickly. We may be interrupted.”

“Sire, I have a copy--”

“Oh, a copy, my lord?” sneered Rudolf.

“My cousin has the original, and will forward it at your Majesty’s

command. A copy of a letter of her Majesty’s--”

“Of the queen’s?”

“Yes, sire. It is addressed to--” Rischenheim paused.

“Well, my lord, to whom?”

“To a Mr. Rudolf Rassendyll.”

Now Rudolf played his part well. He did not feign indifference, but

allowed his voice to tremble with emotion as he stretched out his hand

and said in a hoarse whisper, “Give it me, give it me.”

Rischenheim’s eyes sparkled. His shot had told: the king’s attention was

his; the coats of the dogs were forgotten. Plainly he had stirred the

suspicions and jealousy of the king.

“My cousin,” he continued, “conceives it his duty to lay the letter

before your Majesty. He obtained it--”

“A curse on how he got it! Give it me!”

Rischenheim unbuttoned his coat, then his waistcoat. The head of a

revolver showed in a belt round his waist. He undid the flap of a pocket

in the lining of his waistcoat, and he began to draw out a sheet of

paper.

But Rudolf, great as his powers of self-control were, was but human.

When he saw the paper, he leant forward, half rising from his chair. As

a result, his face came beyond the shadow of the curtain, and the full

morning light beat on it. As Rischenheim took the paper out, he

looked up. He saw the face that glared so eagerly at him; his eyes met

Rassendyll’s: a sudden suspicion seized him, for the face, though the

king’s face in every feature, bore a stern resolution and witnessed a

vigor that were not the king’s. In that instant the truth, or a hint of

it, flashed across his mind. He gave a half-articulate cry; in one hand

he crumpled up the paper, the other flew to his revolver. But he was

too late. Rudolf’s left hand encircled his hand and the paper in an iron

grip; Rudolf’s revolver was on his temple; and an arm was stretched out

from behind the curtain, holding another barrel full before his eyes,

while a dry voice said, “You’d best take it quietly.” Then Sapt stepped

out.

Rischenheim had no words to meet the sudden transformation of the

interview. He seemed to be able to do nothing but stare at Rudolf

Rassendyll. Sapt wasted no time. He snatched the count’s revolver and

stowed it in his own pocket.

“Now take the paper,” said he to Rudolf, and his barrel held Rischenheim

motionless while Rudolf wrenched the precious document from his fingers.

“Look if it’s the right one. No, don’t read it through; just look. Is it

right? That’s good. Now put your revolver to his head again. I’m going

to search him. Stand up, sir.”

They compelled the count to stand up, and Sapt subjected him to a search

that made the concealment of another copy, or of any other document,

impossible. Then they let him sit down again. His eyes seemed fascinated

by Rudolf Rassendyll.

“Yet you’ve seen me before, I think,” smiled Rudolf. “I seem to remember

you as a boy in Strelsau when I was there. Now tell us, sir, where

did you leave this cousin of yours?” For the plan was to find out from

Rischenheim where Rupert was, and to set off in pursuit of Rupert as

soon as they had disposed of Rischenheim.

But even as Rudolf spoke there was a violent knock at the door. Rudolf

sprang to open it. Sapt and his revolver kept their places. Bernenstein

was on the threshold, open-mouthed.

“The king’s servant has just gone by. He’s looking for Colonel Sapt.

The King has been walking in the drive, and learnt from a sentry of

Rischenheim’s arrival. I told the man that you had taken the count for a

stroll round the castle, and I did not know where you were. He says that

the king may come himself at any moment.”

Sapt considered for one short instant; then he was back by the

prisoner’s side.

“We must talk again later on,” he said, in low quick tones. “Now you’re

going to breakfast with the king. I shall be there, and Bernenstein.

Remember, not a word of your errand, not a word of this gentleman! At

a word, a sign, a hint, a gesture, a motion, as God lives, I’ll put a

bullet through your head, and a thousand kings sha’n’t stop me. Rudolf,

get behind the curtain. If there’s an alarm you must jump through the

window into the moat and swim for it.”

“All right,” said Rudolf Rassendyll. “I can read my letter there.”

“Burn it, you fool.”

“When I’ve read it I’ll eat it, if you like, but not before.”

Bernenstein looked in again. “Quick, quick! The man will be back,” he

whispered.

“Bernenstein, did you hear what I said to the count?”

“Yes, I heard.”

“Then you know your part. Now, gentlemen, to the king.”

“Well,” said an angry voice outside, “I wondered how long I was to be

kept waiting.”

Rudolf Rassendyll skipped behind the curtain. Sapt’s revolver slipped

into a handy pocket. Rischenheim stood with arms dangling by his side

and his waistcoat half unbuttoned. Young Bernenstein was bowing low on

the threshold, and protesting that the king’s servant had but just gone,

and that they were on the point of waiting on his Majesty. Then the king

walked in, pale and full-bearded.

“Ah, Count,” said he, “I’m glad to see you. If they had told me you

were here, you shouldn’t have waited a minute. You’re very dark in here,

Sapt. Why don’t you draw back the curtains?” and the king moved towards

the curtain behind which Rudolf was.

“Allow me, sire,” cried Sapt, darting past him and laying a hand on the

curtain.

A malicious gleam of pleasure shot into Rischenheim’s eyes. “In truth,

sire,” continued the constable, his hand on the curtain, “we were so

interested in what the count was saying about his dogs--”

“By heaven, I forgot!” cried the king. “Yes, yes, the dogs. Now tell me,

Count--”

“Your pardon, sire,” put in young Bernenstein, “but breakfast waits.”

“Yes, yes. Well, then, we’ll have them together--breakfast and the

dogs. Come along, Count.” The king passed his arm through Rischenheim’s,

adding to Bernenstein, “Lead the way, Lieutenant; and you, Colonel, come

with us.”

They went out. Sapt stopped and locked the door behind him. “Why do you

lock the door, Colonel?” asked the king.

“There are some papers in my drawer there, sire.”

“But why not lock the drawer?

“I have lost the key, sire, like the fool I am,” said the colonel.

The Count of Luzau-Rischenheim did not make a very good breakfast. He

sat opposite to the king. Colonel Sapt placed himself at the back of the

king’s chair, and Rischenheim saw the muzzle of a revolver resting on

the top of the chair just behind his Majesty’s right ear. Bernenstein

stood in soldierly rigidity by the door; Rischenheim looked round at him

once and met a most significant gaze.

“You’re eating nothing,” said the king. “I hope you’re not indisposed?”

“I am a little upset, sire,” stammered Rischenheim, and truly enough.

“Well, tell me about the dogs--while I eat, for I’m hungry.”

Rischenheim began to disclose his secret. His statement was decidedly

wanting in clearness. The king grew impatient.

“I don’t understand,” said he testily, and he pushed his chair back so

quickly that Sapt skipped away, and hid the revolver behind his back.

“Sire--” cried Rischenheim, half rising. A cough from Lieutenant von

Bernenstein interrupted him.

“Tell it me all over again,” said the king. Rischenheim did as he was

bid.

“Ah, I understand a little better now. Do you see, Sapt?” and he turned

his head round towards the constable. Sapt had just time to whisk the

revolver away. The count lent forward towards the king. Lieutenant von

Bernenstein coughed. The count sank back again.

“Perfectly, sire,” said Colonel Sapt. “I understand all the count wishes

to convey to your Majesty.”

“Well, I understand about half,” said the king with a laugh. “But

perhaps that’ll be enough.”

“I think quite enough, sire,” answered Sapt with a smile. The important

matter of the dogs being thus disposed of, the king recollected that the

count had asked for an audience on a matter of business.

“Now, what did you wish to say to me?” he asked, with a weary air. The

dogs had been more interesting.

Rischenheim looked at Sapt. The revolver was in its place; Bernenstein

coughed again. Yet he saw a chance.

“Your pardon, sire,” said he, “but we are not alone.”

The king lifted his eyebrows.

“Is the business so private?” he asked.

“I should prefer to tell it to your Majesty alone,” pleaded the count.

Now Sapt was resolved not to leave Rischenheim alone with the king, for,

although the count, being robbed of his evidence could do little harm

concerning the letter, he would doubtless tell the king that Rudolf

Rassendyll was in the castle. He leant now over the king’s shoulder, and

said with a sneer:

“Messages from Rupert of Hentzau are too exalted matters for my poor

ears, it seems.”

The king flushed red.

“Is that your business, my lord?” he asked Rischenheim sternly.

“Your Majesty does not know what my cousin--”

“It is the old plea?” interrupted the king. “He wants to come back? Is

that all, or is there anything else?”

A moment’s silence followed the king’s words. Sapt looked full at

Rischenheim, and smiled as he slightly raised his right hand and showed

the revolver. Bernenstein coughed twice. Rischenheim sat twisting his

fingers. He understood that, cost what it might, they would not let him

declare his errand to the king or betray Mr. Rassendyll’s presence. He

cleared his throat and opened his mouth as if to speak, but still he

remained silent.

“Well, my lord, is it the old story or something new,” asked the king

impatiently.

Again Rischenheim sat silent.

“Are you dumb, my lord?” cried the king most impatiently.

“It--it is only what you call the old story, sire.”

“Then let me say that you have treated me very badly in obtaining

an audience of me for any such purpose,” said the king. “You knew my

decision, and your cousin knows it.” Thus speaking, the king rose;

Sapt’s revolver slid into his pocket; but Lieutenant von Bernenstein

drew his sword and stood at the salute; he also coughed.

“My dear Rischenheim,” pursued the king more kindly, “I can allow for

your natural affection. But, believe me, in this case it misleads you.

Do me the favor not to open this subject again to me.”

Rischenheim, humiliated and angry, could do nothing but bow in

acknowledgment of the king’s rebuke.

“Colonel Sapt, see that the count is well entertained. My horse should

be at the door by now. Farewell, Count. Bernenstein, give me your arm.”

Bernenstein shot a rapid glance at the constable. Sapt nodded

reassuringly. Bernenstein sheathed his sword and gave his arm to the

king. They passed through the door, and Bernenstein closed it with a

backward push of his hand. But at this moment Rischenheim, goaded to

fury and desperate at the trick played on him--seeing, moreover, that

he had now only one man to deal with--made a sudden rush at the door.

He reached it, and his hand was on the door-knob. But Sapt was upon him,

and Sapt’s revolver was at his ear.

In the passage the king stopped.

“What are they doing in there?” he asked, hearing the noise of the quick

movements.

“I don’t know, sire,” said Bernenstein, and he took a step forward.

“No, stop a minute, Lieutenant; you’re pulling me along!”

“A thousand pardons, sire.”

“I hear nothing more now.” And there was nothing to hear, for the two

now stood dead silent inside the door.

“Nor I, sire. Will your Majesty go on?” And Bernenstein took another

step.

“You’re determined I shall,” said the king with a laugh, and he let the

young officer lead him away.

Inside the room, Rischenheim stood with his back against the door.

He was panting for breath, and his face was flushed and working with

excitement. Opposite to him stood Sapt, revolver in hand.

“Till you get to heaven, my lord,” said the constable, “you’ll never be

nearer to it than you were in that moment. If you had opened the door,

I’d have shot you through the head.”

As he spoke there came a knock at the door.

“Open it,” he said brusquely to Rischenheim. With a muttered curse the

count obeyed him. A servant stood outside with a telegram on a salver.

“Take it,” whispered Sapt, and Rischenheim put out his hand.

“Your pardon, my lord, but this has arrived for you,” said the man

respectfully.

“Take it,” whispered Sapt again.

“Give it me,” muttered Rischenheim confusedly; and he took the envelope.

The servant bowed and shut the door.

“Open it,” commanded Sapt.

“God’s curse on you!” cried Rischenheim in a voice that choked with

passion.

“Eh? Oh, you can have no secrets from so good a friend as I am, my lord.

Be quick and open it.”

The count began to open it.

“If you tear it up, or crumple it, I’ll shoot you,” said Sapt quietly.

“You know you can trust my word. Now read it.”

“By God, I won’t read it.”

“Read it, I tell you, or say your prayers.”

The muzzle was within a foot of his head. He unfolded the telegram. Then

he looked at Sapt. “Read,” said the constable.

“I don’t understand what it means,” grumbled Rischenheim.

“Possibly I may be able to help you.”

“It’s nothing but--”

“Read, my lord, read!”

Then he read, and this was the telegram: “Holf, 19 Konigstrasse.”

“A thousand thanks, my lord. And--the place it’s despatched from?”

“Strelsau.”

“Just turn it so that I can see. Oh, I don’t doubt you, but seeing is

believing. Ah, thanks. It’s as you say. You’re puzzled what it means,

Count?”

“I don’t know at all what it means!”

“How strange! Because I can guess so well.”

“You are very acute, sir.”

“It seems to me a simple thing to guess, my lord.”

“And pray,” said Rischenheim, endeavoring to assume an easy and

sarcastic air, “what does your wisdom tell you that the message means?”

“I think, my lord, that the message is an address.”

“An address! I never thought of that. But I know no Holf.”

“I don’t think it’s Holf’s address.”

“Whose, then?” asked Rischenheim, biting his nail, and looking furtively

at the constable.

“Why,” said Sapt, “the present address of Count Rupert of Hentzau.”

As he spoke, he fixed his eyes on the eyes of Rischenheim. He gave a

short, sharp laugh, then put his revolver in his pocket and bowed to the

count.

“In truth, you are very convenient, my dear Count,” said he.

* * * * *