CHAPTER 19
Face to Face in the Forest
For a moment I could see nothing, for the glare of lanterns and torchescaught me full in the eyes from the other side of the bridge. But soonthe scene grew clear: and it was a strange scene. The bridge was in itsplace. At the far end of it stood a group of the duke's servants; two orthree carried the lights which had dazzled me, three or four held pikesin rest. They were huddled together; their weapons were protruded beforethem; their faces were pale and agitated. To put it plainly, theylooked in as arrant a fright as I have seen men look, and they gazedapprehensively at a man who stood in the middle of the bridge, sword inhand. Rupert Hentzau was in his trousers and shirt; the white linenwas stained with blood, but his easy, buoyant pose told me that he washimself either not touched at all or merely scratched. There he stood,holding the bridge against them, and daring them to come on; or, rather,bidding them send Black Michael to him; and they, having no firearms,cowered before the desperate man and dared not attack him. Theywhispered to one another; and in the backmost rank, I saw my friendJohann, leaning against the portal of the door and stanching with ahandkerchief the blood which flowed from a wound in his cheek.
By marvellous chance, I was master. The cravens would oppose me no morethan they dared attack Rupert. I had but to raise my revolver, and Isent him to his account with his sins on his head. He did not so much asknow that I was there. I did nothing--why, I hardly know to this day.I had killed one man stealthily that night, and another by luck ratherthan skill--perhaps it was that. Again, villain as the man was, I didnot relish being one of a crowd against him--perhaps it was that. Butstronger than either of these restrained feelings came a curiosity anda fascination which held me spellbound, watching for the outcome of thescene.
"Michael, you dog! Michael! If you can stand, come on!" cried Rupert;and he advanced a step, the group shrinking back a little before him."Michael, you bastard! Come on!"
The answer to his taunts came in the wild cry of a woman:
"He's dead! My God, he's dead!"
"Dead!" shouted Rupert. "I struck better than I knew!" and he laughedtriumphantly. Then he went on: "Down with your weapons there! I'm yourmaster now! Down with them, I say!"
I believe they would have obeyed, but as he spoke came new things.First, there arose a distant sound, as of shouts and knockings from theother side of the chateau. My heart leapt. It must be my men, come by ahappy disobedience to seek me. The noise continued, but none of therest seemed to heed it. Their attention was chained by what now happenedbefore their eyes. The group of servants parted and a woman staggered onto the bridge. Antoinette de Mauban was in a loose white robe, her darkhair streamed over her shoulders, her face was ghastly pale, and hereyes gleamed wildly in the light of the torches. In her shaking hand sheheld a revolver, and, as she tottered forward, she fired it at RupertHentzau. The ball missed him, and struck the woodwork over my head.
"Faith, madame," laughed Rupert, "had your eyes been no more deadlythan your shooting, I had not been in this scrape--nor Black Michael inhell--tonight!"
She took no notice of his words. With a wonderful effort, shecalmed herself till she stood still and rigid. Then very slowly anddeliberately she began to raise her arm again, taking most careful aim.
He would be mad to risk it. He must rush on her, chancing the bullet, orretreat towards me. I covered him with my weapon.
He did neither. Before she had got her aim, he bowed in his mostgraceful fashion, cried "I can't kill where I've kissed," and beforeshe or I could stop him, laid his hand on the parapet of the bridge, andlightly leapt into the moat.
At that very moment I heard a rush of feet, and a voice Iknew--Sapt's--cry: "God! it's the duke--dead!" Then I knew that the Kingneeded me no more, and throwing down my revolver, I sprang out on thebridge. There was a cry of wild wonder, "The King!" and then I, likeRupert of Hentzau, sword in hand, vaulted over the parapet, intent onfinishing my quarrel with him where I saw his curly head fifteen yardsoff in the water of the moat.
He swam swiftly and easily. I was weary and half crippled with mywounded arm. I could not gain on him. For a time I made no sound, but aswe rounded the corner of the old keep I cried:
"Stop, Rupert, stop!"
I saw him look over his shoulder, but he swam on. He was under the banknow, searching, as I guessed, for a spot that he could climb. I knewthere to be none--but there was my rope, which would still be hangingwhere I had left it. He would come to where it was before I could.Perhaps he would miss it--perhaps he would find it; and if he drew it upafter him, he would get a good start of me. I put forth all my remainingstrength and pressed on. At last I began to gain on him; for he,occupied with his search, unconsciously slackened his pace.
Ah, he had found it! A low shout of triumph came from him. He laidhold of it and began to haul himself up. I was near enough to hear himmutter: "How the devil comes this here?" I was at the rope, and he,hanging in mid air, saw me, but I could not reach him.
"Hullo! who's here?" he cried in startled tones.
For a moment, I believe, he took me for the King--I dare say I was paleenough to lend colour to the thought; but an instant later he cried:
"Why it's the play-actor! How come you here, man?"
And so saying he gained the bank.
I laid hold of the rope, but I paused. He stood on the bank, sword inhand, and he could cut my head open or spit me through the heart as Icame up. I let go the rope.
"Never mind," said I; "but as I am here, I think I'll stay."
He smiled down on me.
"These women are the deuce--" he began; when suddenly the great bell ofthe Castle started to ring furiously, and a loud shout reached us fromthe moat.
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, andhe 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 theshelter of the forest. For once Rupert Hentzau had chosen discretion forhis part. I laid my feet to the ground and rushed after him, calling tohim to stand. He would not. Unwounded and vigorous, he gained on me atevery step; but, forgetting everything in the world except him and mythirst for his blood, I pressed on, and soon the deep shades of theforest of Zenda engulfed us both, pursued and pursuer.
It was three o'clock now, and day was dawning. I was on a long straightgrass avenue, and a hundred yards ahead ran young Rupert, his curlswaving in the fresh breeze. I was weary and panting; he looked over hisshoulder and waved his hand again to me. He was mocking me, for he sawhe 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 Iwas up again directly, for a scream rang through the forest--a woman'sscream. Putting forth the last of my strength, I ran on to the placewhere 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 girldown from her horse; doubtless it was her scream that I heard. Shelooked like a small farmer's or a peasant's daughter, and she carrieda basket on her arm. Probably she was on her way to the early market atZenda. Her horse was a stout, well shaped animal. Master Rupert liftedher down amid her shrieks--the sight of him frightened her; but hetreated her gently, laughed, kissed her, and gave her money. Then hejumped on the horse, sitting sideways like a woman; and then he waitedfor me. I, on my part, waited for him.
Presently he rode towards me, keeping his distance, however. He liftedup 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 helives."
"You fool!" said Rupert, pleasantly.
&nb
sp; "One thing more I did."
"And what's that?"
"I spared your life. I was behind you on the bridge, with a revolver inmy 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 amoment he seemed to waver. Then he reined his horse in and stood waitingfor 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 dartedback almost before he could strike me. He seemed almost dazed at thefierceness of my attack; otherwise I think he must have killed me. Isank on my knee panting, expecting him to ride at me. And so he wouldhave done, and then and there, I doubt not, one or both of us would havedied; but at the moment there came a shout from behind us, and, lookinground, I saw, just at the turn of the avenue, a man on a horse. He wasriding hard, and he carried a revolver in his hand. It was Fritz vonTarlenheim, my faithful friend. Rupert saw him, and knew that the gamewas up. He checked his rush at me and flung his leg over the saddle, butyet for just a moment he waited. Leaning forward, he tossed his hair offhis forehead and smiled, and said: "_Au revoir_, Rudolf Rassendyll!"
Then, with his cheek streaming blood, but his lips laughing and hisbody swaying with ease and grace, he bowed to me; and he bowed to thefarm-girl, who had drawn near in trembling fascination, and he waved hishand to Fritz, who was just within range and let fly a shot at him. Theball came nigh doing its work, for it struck the sword he held, and hedropped the sword with an oath, wringing his fingers and clapped hisheels 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 forhis pleasure and singing as he went, for all there was that gash in hischeek.
Once again he turned to wave his hand, and then the gloom of thicketsswallowed him and he was lost from our sight. Thus he vanished--recklessand wary, graceful and graceless, handsome, debonair, vile, andunconquered. And I flung my sword passionately on the ground and criedto Fritz to ride after him. But Fritz stopped his horse, and leapt downand ran to me, and knelt, putting his arm about me. And indeed it wastime, 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 throwinghis arms off me. And the strength of my rage carried me so far as wherethe horse stood, and then I fell prone beside it. And Fritz knelt by meagain.
"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 onthe forehead.
"Thanks to the most gallant gentleman that lives," said he softly, "theKing is alive!"
The little farm-girl stood by us, weeping for fright and wide-eyed forwonder; 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!" ButI could not speak, and I laid my head back in Fritz's arms and closedmy eyes, and I groaned; and then, lest Fritz should do me wrong in histhoughts, I opened my eyes and tried to say "Hurrah!" again. But I couldnot. And being very tired, and now very cold, I huddled myself close upto Fritz, to get the warmth of him, and shut my eyes again and went tosleep.