The Prisoner of Zenda Read Online Free PDF

gentleman?”
    I was about to answer, when Colonel Sapt stepped between the King and me, and began to talk to his Majesty in a low growl. The King towered over Sapt, and, as he listened, his eyes now and again sought mine. I looked at him long and carefully. The likeness was certainly astonishing, though I saw the points of difference also. The King’s face was slightly more fleshy than mine, the oval of its contour the least trifle more pronounced, and, as I fancied, his mouth lacking something of the firmness (or obstinacy) which was to be gathered from my close-shutting lips. But, for all that, and above all minor distinctions, the likeness rose striking, salient, wonderful.
    Sapt ceased speaking, and the King still frowned. Then, gradually, the corners of his mouth began to twitch, his nose came down (as mine does when I laugh), his eyes twinkled, and, behold! he burst into the merriest fit of irrepressible laughter, which rang through the woods and proclaimed him a jovial soul.
    â€œWell met, cousin!” he cried, stepping up to me, clapping me on the back, and laughing still. “You must forgive me if I was taken aback. A man doesn’t expect to see double at this time of day, eh, Fritz?”
    â€œI must pray pardon, sire, for my presumption,” said I. “I trust it will not forfeit your Majesty’s favour.”
    â€œBy Heaven! you’ll always enjoy the King’s countenance,” he laughed, “whether I like it or not; and, sir, I shall very gladly add to it what services I can. Where are you travelling to?”
    â€œTo 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.
    â€œFritz, 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.
    â€œSeriously,” observed Fritz von Tarlenheim, “I question Mr. Rassendyll’s wisdom in visiting Strelsau just now.”
    The King lit a cigarette.
    â€œWell, Sapt?” said he, questioningly.
    â€œHe mustn’t go,” growled the old fellow.
    â€œCome, colonel, you mean that I should be in Mr. Rassendyll’s debt, if—”
    â€œOh, ay! wrap it up in the right way,” said Sapt, hauling a great pipe out of his pocket.
    â€œEnough, sire,” said I. “I’ll leave Ruritania today.”
    â€œNo, by thunder, you shan’t—and that’s sans phrase, as Sapt likes it. For you shall dine with me tonight, happen what will afterwards. Come, man, you don’t meet a new relation every day!”
    â€œWe dine sparingly tonight,” said Fritz von Tarlenheim.
    â€œNot we—with our new cousin for a guest!” cried the King; and, as Fritz shrugged his shoulders, he added: “Oh! I’ll remember our early start, Fritz.”
    â€œSo will I—tomorrow morning,” said old Sapt, pulling at his pipe.
    â€œO wise old Sapt!” cried the King. “Come, Mr. Rassendyll—by the way, what name did they give you?”
    â€œYour Majesty’s,” I answered, bowing.
    â€œWell, that shows they weren’t ashamed of us,” he laughed. “Come, then, cousin Rudolf; I’ve got no house of my own here, but my dear brother Michael lends us a place of his, and we’ll make shift to entertain you there;” and he put his arm through mine and, signing to the others to accompany us, walked me off, westerly, through the forest.
    We walked for more than half an hour, and the King smoked cigarettes and chattered incessantly. He was full of interest in my family, laughed heartily when I told him of the portraits with Elphberg hair in our galleries, and yet more heartily when he heard that my expedition to Ruritania was a secret one.
    â€œYou have to visit your disreputable cousin on the sly, have