By heaven, I knew it would come, and now it has come!"

"But to do what?"

"I shall overtake Rischenheim or be hot on his heels. If he gets
there first, Sapt will keep him waiting till I come; and if I
come, he shall never see the king. Yes, if I come in time--" He
broke into a sudden laugh. "What!" he cried, "have I lost my
likeness? Can't I still play the king? Yes, if I come in time,
Rischenheim shall have his audience of the king of Zenda, and the
king will be very gracious to him, and the king will take his
copy of the letter from him! Oh, Rischenheim shall have an
audience of King Rudolf in the castle of Zenda, never fear!"

He stood, looking to see how I received his plan; but amazed at
the boldness of it, I could only lie back and gasp.

Rudolf's excitement left him as suddenly as it had come; he was
again the cool, shrewd, nonchalant Englishman, as, lighting
another cigarette, he proceeded:

"You see, there are two of them, Rupert and Rischenheim. Now you
can't move for a day or two, that's certain. But there must be
two of us there in Ruritania. Rischenheim is to try first; but if
he fails, Rupert will risk everything and break through to the
king's presence. Give him five minutes with the king, and the
mischief's done! Very well, then; Sapt must keep Rupert at bay
while I tackle Rischenheim. As soon as you can move, go to
Strelsau, and let Sapt know where you are."