Reader's Club

Home Category

03-01-04-曾达的囚徒 [13]

By Root 1095 0
, and in the boat there was a man!His gun was beside him,but,luckily,he was asleep.As quietly as I could,I moved closer. The man still slept.What could I do? I had to save the King.I took out my knife and drove it through the sleeping man's heart!On the other side of the castle they were still singing.
  I had very little time.Someone could come at any minute.I looked up at where the pipe went through the wall into the prison.There was a thin line of light at the bottom edge.I heard Detchard's voice,and then I heard the King reply.Just then the light went out,and,in the darkness,I heard the King crying.I did not call to him.I had to get away safely- and take the body of the dead watchman with me.
  I climbed into the boat and began to go back to where my friends were.No one could hear me because the wind was strong.But from somewhere behind me,I heard a shout.Someone was calling to the watchman.I reached the side of the moat where Sapt and Fritz were waiting.Quickly,I tied the rope round the man's body and Sapt and Fritz pulled it up.Then I climbed up the rope myself.
  'Call our men from the trees,'I said quietly.'And hurry!'
  But just then,three men rode round from the front of the castle.Luckily,they did not see us,but they heard our six friends riding out of the trees,and with a shout they galloped towards them.
  Seconds later we heard the sound of shots and I ran to help our men.Sapt and Fritz followed.
  'Kill them!'cried a voice.It was Rupert of Hentzau.
  'Too late!They've got both of us!'cried another voice.'Save yourself,Rupert!'
  I ran on,holding my stick in my hand.Suddenly,through the darkness,I saw a horse coming towards me.I jumped at the horse's head,and saw the man's face above me.
  'At last!'I shouted.'Rupert of Hentzau!'
  He had only his sword,and my men were coming at him from one side,and Sapt and Fritz from the other.
  Rupert laughed.'It's the play-actor!'he cried,and with his sword he knocked my stick from my hand.Then he turned his horse,galloped to the moat,and jumped into the water with our bullets flying round his ears.Our men tried to shoot him in the water,but it was dark,there was no moon-and we lost him.
  We had killed two of the Six-Lauengram and Krafstein- but I was angry.Three of our brave friends were also dead, and we carried them home with a heavy heart.
  And I did not like to hear Rupert call me a play-actor.
  * * *
  Of course,Michael and I could not let the people know that we were enemies.So,in the daytime it was safe to be in the town of Zenda.One day,soon after our night outside the castle,Princess Flavia and I were riding through the town when we saw a group of people dressed in black going to the church.Rupert of Hentzau was with them,and when he saw us,he turned his horse and came towards us.
  'It's the funeral of my dear friend,Lauengram,'he said,in answer to our question.
  'I'm sorry your friend is dead,'I said to him.
  'And I'm sorry,too,'Flavia added,her beautiful blue eyes sad.
  Rupert looked at her and smiled.Then he turned and rode away.Although I was angry because he had smiled at Flavia,I went after him.
  'You fought bravely the other night,'I said,'and you're young.Help me save the King-and I'll help you.'
  But Rupert was not interested.'No,'he answered.'But if they were both dead-the King and the Duke- then you could be King and marry your Princess,and I could be rich,and have the woman I want.'
  'Antoinette de Mauban?'I asked carelessly,trying not to show my interest.
  'Yes,'replied Rupert.'I hate the Duke.She loves him,not me!'Angrily,he joined the funeral group again.
  Strangely,when we returned home there was a message for me from Antoinette herself.
  'I helped you once.Help me now.Save me from this terrible place!Save me from these murderers!'
  I was sorry for her,but what could I do?


■ 10 城堡外的一夜
  我想让迈克尔公爵以为我还十分虚弱,所以我们在报纸上说国王出了很严重的意外事故。当弗蕾维亚公主看到这条消息时,她非常忧虑,决定前来看我。元帅阻止不了她。虽然我替她担心,但也很高兴能再见到她。我们在一起过了幸福的两天。
  我们派约翰回曾达的城堡去了。突然,我们得到了他传来的一个消息:真正的国王病得很重。
  “我得救他。”我对自己说,“我对弗蕾维亚的爱每天都在增加,我没法儿再这样继续下去了。”
  我和萨普特谈了我的想法
Return Main Page Previous Page Next Page

®Reader's Club