Rupert smiled again, and waved his hand to me.
"I should like a turn with you, but it's a little too hot!"said he, and he disappeared from above me.
In an instant, without thinking of danger, I laid my hand to the rope.
I was up.I saw him thirty yards off, running like a deer towards the shelter of the forest.For once Rupert Hentzau had chosen discretion for his part.I laid my feet to the ground and rushed after him, calling to him to stand.He would not.Unwounded and vigorous, he gained on me at every step; but, forgetting everything in the world except him and my thirst for his blood, I pressed on, and soon the deep shades of the forest of Zenda engulfed us both, pursued and pursuer.
It was three o'clock now, and day was dawning.I was on a long straight grass avenue, and a hundred yards ahead ran young Rupert, his curls waving in the fresh breeze.
I was weary and panting; he looked over his shoulder and waved his hand again to me.He was mocking me, for he saw he had the pace of me.I was forced to pause for breath.A moment later, Rupert turned sharply to the right and was lost from my sight.
I thought all was over, and in deep vexation sank on the ground.
But I was up again directly, for a scream rang through the forest--a woman's scream.Putting forth the last of my strength, I ran on to the place where he had turned out of my sight, and, turning also, I saw him again.But alas! I could not touch him.
He was in the act of lifting a girl down from her horse;doubtless it was her scream that I heard.She looked like a small farmer's or a peasant's daughter, and she carried a basket on her arm.Probably she was on her way to the early market at Zenda.Her horse was a stout, well shaped animal.
Master Rupert lifted her down amid her shrieks--the sight of him frightened her; but he treated her gently, laughed, kissed her, and gave her money.Then he jumped on the horse, sitting sideways like a woman; and then he waited for me.I, on my part, waited for him.
Presently he rode towards me, keeping his distance, however.
He lifted up his hand, saying:
"What did you in the Castle?"
"I killed three of your friends," said I.
"What! You got to the cells?"
"Yes."
"And the King?"
"He was hurt by Detchard before I killed Detchard, but I pray that he lives.""You fool!" said Rupert, pleasantly.
"One thing more I did."
"And what's that?"
"I spared your life.I was behind you on the bridge, with a revolver in my hand.""No? Faith, I was between two fires!"
"Get off your horse," I cried, "and fight like a man.""Before a lady!" said he, pointing to the girl.
"Fie, your Majesty!"
Then in my rage, hardly knowing what I did, I rushed at him.
For a moment he seemed to waver.Then he reined his horse in and stood waiting for me.On I went in my folly.I seized the bridle and I struck at him.He parried and thrust at me.
I fell back a pace and rushed at him again; and this time I reached his face and laid his cheek open, and darted back almost before he could strike me.He seemed almost dazed at the fierceness of my attack; otherwise I think he must have killed me.
I sank on my knee panting, expecting him to ride at me.
And so he would have done, and then and there, I doubt not, one or both of us would have died; but at the moment there came a shout from behind us, and, looking round, I saw, just at the turn of the avenue, a man on a horse.
He was riding hard, and he carried a revolver in his hand.
It was Fritz von Tarlenheim, my faithful friend.
Rupert saw him, and knew that the game was up.
He checked his rush at me and flung his leg over the saddle, but yet for just a moment he waited.Leaning forward, he tossed his hair off his forehead and smiled, and said:
"Au revoir, Rudolf Rassendyll!"
Then, with his cheek streaming blood, but his lips laughing and his body swaying with ease and grace, he bowed to me;and he bowed to the farm-girl, who had drawn near in trembling fascination, and he waved his hand to Fritz, who was just within range and let fly a shot at him.The ball came nigh doing its work, for it struck the sword he held, and he dropped the sword with an oath, wringing his fingers and clapped his heels hard on his horse's belly, and rode away at a gallop.
And I watched him go down the long avenue, riding as though he rode for his pleasure and singing as he went, for all there was that gash in his cheek.
Once again he turned to wave his hand, and then the gloom of thickets swallowed him and he was lost from our sight.
Thus he vanished--reckless and wary, graceful and graceless, handsome,debonair, vile, and unconquered.And I flung my sword passionately on the ground and cried to Fritz to ride after him.
But Fritz stopped his horse, and leapt down and ran to me, and knelt, putting his arm about me.And indeed it was time, for the wound that Detchard had given me was broken forth afresh, and my blood was staining the ground.
"Then give me the horse!" I cried, staggering to my feet and throwing his arms off me.And the strength of my rage carried me so far as where the horse stood, and then I fell prone beside it.And Fritz knelt by me again.
"Fritz!" I said.
"Ay, friend--dear friend!" he said, tender as a woman.
"Is the King alive?"
He took his handkerchief and wiped my lips, and bent and kissed me on the forehead.
"Thanks to the most gallant gentleman that lives,"said he softly, "the King is alive!"
The little farm-girl stood by us, weeping for fright and wide-eyed for wonder; for she had seen me at Zenda;and was not I, pallid, dripping, foul, and bloody as I was--yet was not I the King?
And when I heard that the King was alive, I strove to cry "Hurrah!" But I could not speak, and I laid my head back in Fritz's arms and closed my eyes, and I groaned; and then, lest Fritz should do me wrong in his thoughts, I opened my eyes and tried to say "Hurrah!" again.But I could not.And being very tired, and now very cold, I huddled myself close up to Fritz, to get the warmth of him, and shut my eyes again and went to sleep.
