A Desperate PlanAs I had ridden publicly in Zenda, and had talked there with RupertHentzau, of course all pretence of illness was at an end. I marked theeffect on the garrison of Zenda: they ceased to be seen abroad; and any ofmy men who went near the Castle reported that the utmost vigilanceprevailed there. Touched as I was by Madame de Mauban's appeal, Iseemed as powerless to befriend her as I had proved to help the King.

　　Michael bade me defiance; and although he too had been seen outside thewalls, with more disregard for appearances than he had hitherto shown, hedid not take the trouble to send any excuse for his failure to wait on theKing. Time ran on in inactivity, when every moment was pressing; for notonly was I faced with the new danger which the stir about mydisappearance brought on me, but great murmurs had arisen in Strelsau atmy continued absence from the city. They had been greater, but for theknowledge that Flavia was with me; and for this reason I suffered her tostay, though I hated to have her where danger was, and though every dayof our present sweet intercourse strained my endurance almost to breaking.

　　As a final blow, nothing would content my advisers, Strakencz and theChancellor (who came out from Strelsau to make an urgent representationto me), save that I should appoint a day for the public solemnization of mybetrothal, a ceremony which in Ruritania is well nigh as binding and greata thing as the marriage itself. And this--with Flavia sitting by me-- I wasforced to do, setting a date a fortnight ahead, and appointing the Cathedralin Strelsau as the place. And this formal act being published far and wide,caused great joy throughout the kingdom, and was the talk of all tongues;so that I reckoned there were but two men who chafed at it--I mean BlackMichael and myself; and but one who did not know of it--that one the manwhose name I bore, the King of Ruritania.

　　In truth, I heard something of the way the news was received in theCastle; for after an interval of three days, the man Johann, greedy for moremoney, though fearful for his life, again found means to visit us. He had been waiting on the duke when the tidings came. Black Michael's face hadgrown blacker still, and he had sworn savagely; nor was he better pleasedwhen young Rupert took oath that I meant to do as I said, and turning toMadame de Mauban, wished her joy on a rival gone. Michael's hand stoletowards his sword (said Johann), but not a bit did Rupert care; for herallied the duke on having made a better King than had reigned for yearspast in Ruritania. "And," said he, with a meaning bow to his exasperatedmaster, "the devil sends the princess a finer man than heaven had markedout for her, by my soul, it does!" Then Michael harshly bade him hold histongue, and leave them; but Rupert must needs first kiss madame's hand,which he did as though he loved her, while Michael glared at him.

　　This was the lighter side of the fellow's news; but more serious camebehind, and it was plain that if time pressed at Tarlenheim, it pressed nonethe less fiercely at Zenda. For the King was very sick: Johann had seenhim, and he was wasted and hardly able to move. "There could be nothought of taking another for him now." So alarmed were they, that theyhad sent for a physician from Strelsau; and the physician having beenintroduced into the King's cell, had come forth pale and trembling, andurgently prayed the duke to let him go back and meddle no more in theaffair; but the duke would not, and held him there a prisoner, telling himhis life was safe if the King lived while the duke desired and died whenthe duke desired--not otherwise. And, persuaded by the physician, theyhad allowed Madame de Mauban to visit the King and give him suchattendance as his state needed, and as only a woman can give. Yet his lifehung in the balance; and I was still strong and whole and free. Whereforegreat gloom reigned at Zenda; and save when they quarrelled, to whichthey were very prone, they hardly spoke. But the deeper the depression ofthe rest, young Rupert went about Satan's work with a smile in his eye anda song on his lip; and laughed "fit to burst" (said Johann) because the dukealways set Detchard to guard the King when Madame de Mauban was inthe cell--which precaution was, indeed, not unwise in my careful brother.

　　Thus Johann told his tale and seized his crowns. Yet he besought us toallow him to stay with us in Tarlenheim, and not venture his head again inthe lion's den; but we had need of him there, and, although I refused to constrain him, I prevailed on him by increased rewards to go back andcarry tidings to Madame de Mauban that I was working for her, and that, ifshe could, she should speak one word of comfort to the King. For whilesuspense is bad for the sick, yet despair is worse still, and it might be thatthe King lay dying of mere hopelessness, for I could learn of no definitedisease that afflicted him.

　　"And how do they guard the King now?" I asked, remembering thattwo of the Six were dead, and Max Holf also.

　　"Detchard and Bersonin watch by night, Rupert Hentzau and DeGautet by day, sir," he answered.

　　"Only two at a time?""Ay, sir; but the others rest in a room just above, and are within soundof a cry or a whistle.""A room just above? I didn't know of that. Is there any communicationbetween it and the room where they watch?""No, sir. You must go down a few stairs and through the door by thedrawbridge, and so to where the King is lodged.""And that door is locked?""Only the four lords have keys, sir."I drew nearer to him.

　　"And have they keys of the grating?" I asked in a low whisper.

　　"I think, sir, only Detchard and Rupert.""Where does the duke lodge?""In the chateau, on the first floor. His apartments are on the right asyou go towards the drawbridge.""And Madame de Mauban?""Just opposite, on the left. But her door is locked after she hasentered.""To keep her in?""Doubtless, sir.""Perhaps for another reason?""It is possible.""And the duke, I suppose, has the key?""Yes. And the drawbridge is drawn back at night, and of that, too, the duke holds the key, so that it cannot be run across the moat withoutapplication to him.""And where do you sleep?""In the entrance hall of the chateau, with five servants.""Armed?""They have pikes, sir, but no firearms. The duke will not trust themwith firearms."Then at last I took the matter boldly in my hands. I had failed once at"Jacob's Ladder;" I should fail again there. I must make the attack from theother side.

　　"I have promised you twenty thousand crowns," said I. "You shall havefifty thousand if you wi............